UPCOMING CLASSES & LATEST NEWS

Spiritual Defense for Persons of Color | August 20

540WMain Community Learning Academy presents: Spiritual Defense for Persons of Color Monday August 20 // 7-9 PM This course facilitated…

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16Jun 201819 Jul 2018

540WMain Celebrates Two Year Anniversary with the 2018 Anniversary Mingle

Today marks our two year anniversary of opening 540WMain Community Learning Academy Dear Community, Exactly two years ago today I…

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CLASSES & EVENTS

Click the button below to view and register for our classes and events via Eventbee. To view the most updated…

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 Facebook: 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

A Wednesday Word from the Director | RSVP Etiquette at 540WMain

15 Aug 201819 Aug 2018

Dear Community, A few months ago we updated 540WMain;'s registration policy: All classes held at 540WMain HQ will require registration/RSVP online with payment at the door. No one will be…

NEW 540WMain Launches K-12 Teacher & Professional Development Classes

8 Aug 201812 Aug 2018

We are pleased to announce a brand new set of classes designed for teachers and professionals committed to diversity and inclusion Intro to Teaching In A Culturally Diverse Classroom The…

Introducing 540WMain’s Tried & True Classes

29 Jun 20182 Jul 2018

Since 2016 540WMain Learning Academy has offered over 100 low cost classes and events for the Susan B. Anthony Preservation District and the Rochester community. During this time we have…

Why I Sold My Vehicle & Became A Car Free Professional by Calvin Eaton

29 Jun 201830 Jun 2018

It's been exactly four weeks since I sold my car and joined the ranks as a car-free professional in Rochester. What made me decide to take the plunge? Read about…

540WMain Introduces New Book Discussion Series; Unpacking™

28 Jun 20184 Aug 2018

540WMain Learning Academy is pleased to introduce a new discussion series; Unpacking™ Unpacking™ is a series of informal and thought provoking discussions (book chats) based around socially conscious books that…

Black Women Roc! Month Spotlight | Commissioner Natalie Sheppard

27 Jun 201830 Jun 2018

We are pleased to highlight Commissioner Natalie Sheppard as our final Black Women Roc! feature for the Month of June About Commissioner Sheppard Natalie Sheppard is the newly elected…

Memorable & Unexpected Gifts: Baby Showers, New Children | Guest Blog by Erin Egloff

22 Jun 201825 Jun 2018

New additions to families are usually joyous occasions, whether a baby is born, a child is adopted, or a family decides to foster a child in need. They can also…

Black Women Roc! Month Spotlight | Prudence Anderson-Leusch

20 Jun 201825 Jun 2018

We are pleased to highlight Prudence Anderson Leusch as our third Black Women Roc! feature for the Month of June About Prudence Anderson-Leusch How does it feel to…

540WMain Seeks Volunteer Fundraising Coordinator

8 Jun 201812 Jun 2018

540WMain is officially hiring for a brand new volunteer leadership position Volunteer Fundraising Coordinator About the Volunteer Fundraising Coordinator Under the direction and supervision of the Executive Director the Volunteer…

540WMain Seeks (High School) Baking Apprentice

6 Jun 20187 Jun 2018

Dear Community, I am pleased to announce that 540WMain is officially hiring for a brand new internship position Baking (Highschool) Apprentice Intern About the Baking Apprentice Under the direction and…

Special Announcement | Black Women Roc! Campaign 2018

6 Jun 20187 Jun 2018

We are thrilled to announce our 2018 Black Women Roc! Campaign Today is the official launch of our June 2018 Black Women Roc! Campaign All month long we will spotlight…

Introducing 540WMain’s Signature T-Shirt Fundraiser

1 Jun 20185 Jun 2018

We are pleased to launch 540WMain's Signature T-Shirt Fundraiser for summer 2018 About the Fundraiser We had overwhelming community (Facebook) support in helping us vote on a final design for…

Top Three Ways to Be A Successful Social Entrepreneur

1 Jun 20182 Jun 2018

It's no secret that I consider myself a Social Entrepreneur. I've shared this revelation right here on 540Blog and the more I grow as a leader the more I accept…

A Wednesday Word | NEW Community Research Internship & Neighborhood Survey

30 May 201830 May 2018

Dear Community, I am pleased to announce that 540WMain is officially hiring for a brand new internship position Community Research Intern About the Neighborhood Survey The Community Intern Intern will…

Memorable & Unexpected Gifts by Guest Blogger Erin Egloff

29 May 201830 May 2018

"It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving." - Mother Teresa Gift giving and making gestures are opportunities to show someone that you care,…

Special Announcement 540WMain Welcomes Ray Ray Mitrano as New Advertising & Social Media Associate

25 May 201828 May 2018

Dear Community, Join me in welcoming Ray Ray Mitrano as 540WMain Community Learning Academy's newest part-time hire of Advertising & Social Media Associate* Ray Ray was 540WMain's April Featured Artist…

There’s No Such Thing As An Overnight Success

23 May 201824 May 2018

There's no such thing as an overnight success There I said it. But to my chagrin, I hear this "expression" (if you can call it that) much too often. I…

All About The 2018 Inclusive Prosperity Conference | May 22

18 May 201822 May 2018

Dear Community, I am thrilled to announce that 540WMain Learning Academy will be represented for the first time at the 2018 Inclusive Prosperity Conference About The Inclusive Prosperity Conference The…

Special Announcement RSVP Online // Pay at the Door at 540WMain

16 May 201821 May 2018

Dear Community, Leading a grassroots "Communiversity" means that I always have to have my "ear to the street" and my heart in tune with the needs of 540WMain's students, patrons,…

Special Announcement** 540WMain Receives Its First Ever Grant courtesy RocGrowth

11 May 201813 May 2018

Dear Community, I am thrilled to announce that 540WMain Learning Academy has received its first ever grant funded by the local organization RocGrowth! About RocGrowth Led by Richard Glaser and…

Pushing Pause on Our Reactions | by featured blogger Erin Egloff

8 May 20189 May 2018

It's no secret that Americans are divided on many topics of critical importance and that they often feel very passionately about their perspectives. While it's a show of character to…

special announcement

Special Announcement How to Teach A Class at 540WMain | Class/Course Proposal Portal

3 May 20184 May 2018

Dear Community, As 540WMain approaches it's 2 year anniversary in June 2018, I am pleased to share that over 200 classes have been taught in the community room. Coordinating and…

A Wednesday Word from the Director | May Days & Productivity

2 May 20183 May 2018

Dear Community, Happy May to you! I don't know about you but I am more than relieved that we seem to finally be across the threshold of the iron clad…

art…

May Featured Artist Spotlight | Mike Kraus

1 May 20183 May 2018

We are pleased to spotlight Mike Kraus the May Featured Artist About Mike Kraus Michael Kraus was born on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. After earning his Fine Arts…

Starbucks and The Intersection of Microagression, Gentrification and Racial Profiling

26 Apr 201826 Apr 2018

With the never ending news cycle and provocation from social media; viral incidents like the arrest of two black men waiting at Starbucks make a black man and content creator…

Everyday People Working Against Gender-Based Wage Discrimination | by featured blogger Erin Egloff

24 Apr 201824 Apr 2018

Close your eyes and take a moment to let your mind play Everyday People by Sly & The Family Stone. (If you don't know Sly or his family, we won't…

Can Capitalism be Conscious? | by guest blogger Andrew Brady

23 Apr 201823 Apr 2018

Have you heard of Conscious Capitalism? It is a movement that emerged from the theory of corporate social responsibility…business enterprises and people that choose to follow a business strategy that benefits…

Special Announcement | 2018 Black Women Roc! Campaign

20 Apr 201822 Apr 2018

What is Black Women Roc!? Black Women Roc! is an annual campaign where we spotlight and highlight the achievements of four black women and femme identifying black women that are…

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.…

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,…

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…

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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…

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…

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…