Underground Books Band 3

The Oak Park Speaker Series hosted the second of a four-part series on June 11th at the Guild Theater with special guest speaker Byron Pitts.  Nearly 150 guests attended the event, emceed by former Mayor Kevin Johnson and included remarks by Greater Sacramento Urban League President and CEO Cassandra Jennings.  The evening concluded with a fireside chat with Mayor Johnson and award-winning journalist and author Byron Pitts.  Pitts was raised by a single mother and struggled with severe learning disabilities.

PS7 Middle scholars had the opportunity to participate in our annual Pi Day carnival in March. Pi Day is an annual celebration of the mathematical constant pi (π), celebrated on March 14th (3.14)! The event was led by our 8th grade scholars as they managed a variety of stations for our sixth and seventh grade scholars to participate in, such as field games, math worksheets, a Pi chain, and of course, enjoying a slice of pie!!  Our sixth and seventh graders had a fantastic time participating as they were able to show off their math knowledge and teamwork skills!

Earlier this month, St. HOPE participated in the Big Day of Giving, one of the region’s biggest online giving campaigns created to support Sacramento’s nonprofit community by raising essential funding and allowing for nonprofits to continue in their efforts to make Sacramento a better place!

As hopeful as our staff and students were, we would have never expected what was to come on that big day! Securing over $60,000 in donations and matching donations of a $50,000 goal was more than we could have ever anticipated! EVER!

In partnership with Underground Books and the Greater Sacramento Urban League, the inaugural Oak Park Speaker Series is proud to announce an exciting lineup of speakers including Roland Martin, Byron Pitts, Terry McMillan and Carla Harris.  Individual tickets and sponsorships are now available for the 4-part series that will launch on May 9 at the Guild Theater. 

Last month Sac High participated in the “National School Walkout” during which students across the country walked out of school to honor the 17 victims shot and killed at Stoneman Douglas High School in February. The walkout was initiated as a call to the U.S. government to pass stricter gun control laws. Here’s what one student had to say about it:

Oral History Night is Oak Park Preparatory Academy’s annual celebration of Black History Month. The night consists of students sharing inspiring stories about challenges they have faced in their lives, and how they plan to use those experiences to motivate them to achieve future success. There is also a portion of the night when students and families compete in the “Who Am I” challenge in which they are given various bios of famous African Americans and must guess who they are.

All-Star Spotlight: Q & A with Anaiyah Cabrellis!

Q: Tell us about yourself.

A: My name is Anaiyah and I’m 16. I’m the Junior Class President at Sac High, and an intern at Underground Books. I like to read, write and draw, and my favorite subjects are history and math.

Q: Awesome! What else are you involved in on campus?

When one thinks of Sac High athletics, one’s mind likely first flashes to images of players streaking to victory down the football field or basketball court, to the banners that line the walls of the gym, and to the pictures of the students who pursued college and professional careers following their time at Sac High.