UPCOMING CLASSES & LATEST NEWS

American Sign Language for Beginners Level I | April 19

540WMain Community Learning Academy presents: Beginners American Sign Language Level I Thursday April 19 // 7-9 PM Sarah Vitberg is…

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16Apr 201816 Apr 2018

Introduction to Gentrification | April 21

540WMain Community Learning Academy presents: Introduction to Gentrification Saturday April 21 // 1-3 PM Join us for a candid discussion…

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CLASSES & EVENTS

540WMain curates weekly and monthly art openings, musical showcases, pop up markets and other activities and events. Our calendar is…

WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS SAYING

Via Facebook: 540WMain is a treasure in Rochester and the vegan baked goods are to die for.

Carolyn Joelle, Community Member

Via Facebokk: I just attended the appropriation and assimilation discussion. Loved it as always and came away with such a broader perspective.

Kel Rene, Community Member

Via Facebook: Best classes and a great place to learn. They have something for everyone! Also great place to host any event !

Michaela DC, Community Member

Via Facebook: This is a great spot in the community. A place for our people to come together and have meaningful discussions and network with like minded people. Attend an event at 540, you will not be disappointed

Lex Pointer, MCC Student

Via Facebook: Great environment with great people and they have vegan cookies definitely the place to be! You have to go and be apart of the conservations AMAZING!

Derrick Alford, Entrepreneur

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Spiritual Defense for Persons of Color | April 25

540WMain Community Learning Academy presents: Spiritual Defense for Persons of Color Wednesday April 25 // 7-9 PM This course facilitated by Michaela Cultura & Iya Brenda will teach you how…

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How to Get Started with KIVA | April 24

18 Apr 201818 Apr 2018

540WMain Community Learning Academy presents: How to Get Started with KIVA Tuesday April 24 // 7-9 PM **sponsored by KIVA Rochester & City of Rochester, NY

EVENTS

free Spoken Word Poetry Reading | April 21

18 Apr 201818 Apr 2018

540WMain Community Learning Academy presents: Raw from the Vault" Spoken Word Poetry Reading Saturday April 21// 6:30-8 PM Join spoken word poet Shaquille aka A.O.R for a one of a…

A Wednesday Word from the Director | Growth Takes Community

18 Apr 201818 Apr 2018

Dear Community, It's not lost on me that unconscious bias and perceived stereotypes about the safety of the Susan B. Anthony Preservation district make running any business on West Main…

What Is Social Entrepreneurship?

13 Apr 201816 Apr 2018

Did you know that 540WMain initially started as a for profit social enterprise. However I quickly realized that not many in Rochester knew what that meant let alone understood the…

Gardens Can Help Rebuild Stolen Community Part II by Jake Sell Hicks

11 Apr 201812 Apr 2018

So last time we talked; I gave you an overview of Rochester (through my eyes) and how systemic and social forces have divided our city's citizens and fragmented the efforts…

Gardens Can Help Rebuild Stolen Community: Part I by Jake Sell Hicks

10 Apr 201810 Apr 2018

Rochester is one of those American cities that's small and hip, and, at the same time, too big for many to understand, with a history as troublesome as any other.…

NEWS

Special Announcement**Introducing Community Organizer Jake Sell Hicks

10 Apr 201810 Apr 2018

Dear Community, Join me in welcoming Jake Sell Hicks as 540WMain Community Learning Academy's inaugural Community Organizer. Jake recently joined 540WMain as a featured blogger and in a very short…

Dependence is Not Addiction

9 Apr 201810 Apr 2018

The war on opiods is real. Let me restate that" The war on opioids is real and those of us living with chronic pain conditions and invisible illness are at…

Special Announcement | NEW 540WMain Twitter Page

6 Apr 20188 Apr 2018

We're excited to announce that we now have an official Twitter page! Click the link below to follow us at @540WMain and stay up to date on the latest classes…

COMMUNITY EDUCATOR…

Featured Blogger Spotlight | Jake Sell Hicks

2 Apr 20182 Apr 2018

We are pleased to announce and spotlight Jake Sell Hicks as our newest Featured Blogger & Volunteer About Jake Sell Hicks Jake was born and raised in Northern New York,…

COMMUNITY EDUCATOR…

Small Business Market Vendor Spotlight | Ashley Wright

31 Mar 201831 Mar 2018

We are pleased to feature Ashley Wright our vendor spotlight for the March Rochester Makers Market About Ashley Wright When did you start your business? AW: I started my business…

EVENTS

Small Business Market Vendor Spotlight | Theresa Sloan of Queen Q’s

29 Mar 201831 Mar 2018

We are pleased to feature Theresa Sloan of Queen Q's our vendor spotlight for the March Rochester Makers Market About Queen Q's Theresa Sloan founded Queen Q's in 2013 after…

Spring Break at 540WMain | April 1-5

28 Mar 20183 Apr 2018

540WMain presents Spring Break at 540WMain 540WMain Community Learning Academy's got you and your family covered with a week's worth of fun & affordable art & literacy programming geared for…

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ONLINE Professional Grant Writing for Beginners | April 2

28 Mar 20182 Apr 2018

540WMain Community Learning Academy presents: Professional Grant Writing 4 Beginners ONLINE Monday April 2 // 6-7:30 PM Class fee : $15/person This is an online course that will be taught…

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April Featured Artist Spotlight | Ray Ray Mitrano

27 Mar 201831 Mar 2018

We are pleased to spotlight Ray Ray Mitrano the April Featured Artist About Ray Ray Mitrano Ray Ray Mitrano is a prolific illustrator, artist, educator, and community member. Ray…

I’m White and I Screw Up a Lot | by featured blogger Erin Egloff

19 Mar 201819 Mar 2018

Recently, in a discussion on anti-racist action, I listened to a woman share her experiences and frustrations with white people "committing" to anti-racist work and then, after a certain period,…

Special AnnouncementWhat’s Going on w/ The 2018 Rochester Gluten Free Health & Wellness Expo

16 Mar 201819 Mar 2018

Dear Community, This message is long long overdue so instead of beating around the bush I’m gonna get straight to the point. I’ve made necessary decision to reimagine this year’s…

Why Black Male Representation Matters In Education

15 Mar 201815 Mar 2018

Where are all the black male teachers? This is a question that I posed recently on my Facebook page and I was honestly looking for real answers. For as long…

A Child Who Lived with Autism: Why Person First Language Matters

14 Mar 201814 Mar 2018

A local tragedy that resulted in the death of a 14 year old young man brought out the need for a complete overhaul of the local Rochester City School District.…

Special Announcement | NEW Spring 2018 Education Course Catalog

8 Mar 201811 Mar 2018

We are very excited to announce the launch of our new Spring 2018 Education Course Catalog! Our Spring semester runs March 1 - May 31, 2018. In honor of Women's…

28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History | Zelda Valdes (27)

27 Feb 201831 Mar 2018

We are pleased to spotlight Zelda Valdes in day twenty-seven of our first annual 28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History Zelda Valdes designed the iconic Playboy…

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Professional Grant Writing 4 Beginners | March 6

26 Feb 20186 Mar 2018

540WMain Community Learning Academy presents: Professional Grant Writing 4 Beginners Tuesday March 6 // 7-8:30 PM Class fee : $25/person Those deaf and hard of hearing are encouraged to register…

28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History | Jennifer Jones (22)

22 Feb 201822 Feb 2018

We are pleased to spotlight Jennifer Jones in day twenty-two of our first annual 28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History Jennifer Jones was the first African…

28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History | Robert Smalls (21)

We are pleased to spotlight Robert Smalls in day twenty of our first annual 28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History "Robert Smalls bravely risked it all…

28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History | Huey P. Newton (20)

We are pleased to spotlight Huey P. Newton in day twenty of our first annual 28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History Huey P. Newton founded Black…

Mental Illness: The Scapegoat of Mass Shootings | by Erin Egloff

20 Feb 20183 Mar 2018

Let's start off with some actual facts (as opposed to the ever popular "alternative" facts): 1) A public mass shooting is defined by the U.S. Congressional Research Service as a situation where four…

28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History | Patricia Roberts Harris (19)

19 Feb 201820 Feb 2018

We are pleased to spotlight Patricia Roberts Harris in day nineteen of our first annual 28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History Patricia Roberts Harris was the…

EVENTS

Small Business & Makers Market | February 24

19 Feb 201826 Feb 2018

540WMain Community Learning Academy presents: Small Business & Makers Market Saturday February 24 // 1-5 PM FREE // OPEN TO THE PUBLIC // NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED Our 2018 markets have…

28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History | Wyatt Tee Walker (18)

18 Feb 201819 Feb 2018

We are pleased to spotlight Wyatt Tee Walker in day eighteen of our first annual 28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History Wyatt Tee Walker is the…

28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History | Gladys West (17)

17 Feb 201819 Feb 2018

We are pleased to spotlight Gladys West in day seventeen of our first annual 28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History Gladys West's worked at the US…

Special Announcement Spring Semester Theme | Women Movers & Makers

16 Feb 201811 Mar 2018

We are pleased to announce our Spring semester theme: Women Movers & Makers Dear Community, When March comes around we know Spring is just around the corner but did you…

28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History | Ann Lowe (16)

16 Feb 201819 Feb 2018

We are pleased to spotlight Ann Lowe in day sixteen of our first annual 28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History Ann Lowe is the the first…

28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History | Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner and Mildred Davidson Austin Smith (15)

15 Feb 201816 Feb 2018

We are pleased to spotlight Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner and Mildred Davidson Austin Smith in day fifteen of our first annual 28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History Mary…

Vegan/GF Meet & Mingle Dinner | February 22

15 Feb 201821 Feb 2018

540WMain Community Learning Academy presents: Vegan/GF Meet & Mingle Dinner Thursday February 22 // 7-9 PM This family style all vegan-gluten free dinner at 540WMain Community Learning Academy Dress…

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SOLD OUT Hip Hop Cardio | February 21

14 Feb 201815 Feb 2018

540WMain Community Learning Academy presents: Hip Hip Cardio Wednesday February 21 // 7-8 PM **THIS CLASS IS SOLD OUT** You can register for the February 27th session below:

28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History | Frederick Douglass (14)

14 Feb 201815 Feb 2018

We are pleased to spotlight Frederick Douglass in day fourteen of our first annual 28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History Frederick Douglass is one of the…

28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History | Kehinde Wiley & Amy Sherald(13)

13 Feb 201814 Feb 2018

We are pleased to spotlight Kehinde Wiley & Amy Sherald in day thirteen of our first annual 28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History Kehinde Wiley and…

28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History | Marie M. Daly (12)

12 Feb 201814 Feb 2018

We are pleased to spotlight Marie M. Daly in day twelve of our first annual 28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History Marie M. Daly is the…

28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History | Christina Jenkins (11)

11 Feb 201812 Feb 2018

We are pleased to spotlight Christina Jenkins in day eleven of our first annual 28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History Christina Jenkins is the revolutionary inventor…

28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History | Allensworth Township (9)

9 Feb 201810 Feb 2018

We are pleased to spotlight Allensworth Township in day nine of our first annual 28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History Allensworth is the first all-black Californian…

28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History | Jerry Lawson (8)

8 Feb 20189 Feb 2018

We are pleased to spotlight Jerry Lawson in day eight of our first annual 28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History Jerry Lawson created the first home video…

**Announcing Featured Blogger & Volunteer Grants Assistant | Erin Egloff

7 Feb 20188 Feb 2018

We are pleased to announce and spotlight Erin Egloff as our newest Featured Blogger & Volunteer Grants Assistant About Erin Egloff Erin Egloff was born and raised in Lowville, NY,…

28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History | Jerry Pinkney (7)

7 Feb 20188 Feb 2018

We are pleased to spotlight Jerry Pinkney in day seven of our first annual 28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History Jerry Pinkney, a prolific children’s book…

28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History | Emmit McHenry (6)

6 Feb 20187 Feb 2018

We are pleased to spotlight Emmit McHenry in day six of our first annual 28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History Emmit McHenry is the father of…

28 Days of Little Known Facts About Black American History | Paul Downing (5)

5 Feb 20186 Feb 2018

We are pleased to spotlight Paul B. Downing in day five of our first annual 28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History Paul B. Downing is one…

COMMUNITY EDUCATOR

Community Educator Spotlight | Valyn Reed

5 Feb 20187 Feb 2018

We are pleased to spotlight Valyn Reed one of our February Community Educators About Valyn Reed Valyn Reed-Crenshaw is a native of Rochester, NY; raised on the eastside of the…

COMMUNITY EDUCATOR…

Artist of the Month Spotlight | Jarael Adams

4 Feb 20183 Feb 2018

We are pleased to spotlight Jarael Adams our February Artist of the Month About Paint The Town Paint The Town is art gallery and paint studio located in Buffalo NY.…

28 Days of Little Known Facts About Black American History | Henrietta Lacks (4)

4 Feb 20185 Feb 2018

We are pleased to spotlight Henrietta Lacks in day four of our first annual 28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History Henrietta Lacks is the most important…

NEWS

28 Days of Little Known Facts About Black American History | Onesimus (3)

3 Feb 20184 Feb 2018

We are pleased to spotlight Onesimus in day three of our first annual 28 Days of Little Known Facts About (Black) American History Inoculation was introduced to America by a…