Skip to content

Category: What’s New

Legacy Reflections and a New Chapter for 540WMain

Dear Community, Looking back on my journey of founding 540WMain, Inc., I am overcome with a profound sense of pride […]

Change is Scary, But So Is Staying The Same

Dear Community, As fall settles in and daylight saving time comes to an end, I realize it’s high time for […]

The Underrepresentation of Black Women in Hollywood

Actresses such as Taraji P. Henson, Gabrielle Union, and Angela Bassett are adored and highly respected within the Black community, […]

Black History Month: Women of Hip Hop Week 4

Sadly, this is the last week of Women of Hip Hop. We covered 29 days, but there is so much […]

Black History Month: Women of Hip Hop Week 3

In this third week of Women in Hip Hop, we expand our view. We look at artists from the Midwest […]

Black History Month: Women of Hip Hop Week 2

Welcome to Week 2 of Black History Month: Women in Hip Hop. This week, we learn about how women used […]

Black History Month: Women of Hip-Hop Week 1

Hip hop turned 50 last year, and there were celebrations all around. One thing missing was the presence of the […]

20 Books You Must Read in 2024 by 540WMain

Dear Community, This year’s essential reading list blends enduring selections from previous years with groundbreaking new works, each a cornerstone […]

My Year in Books: 2023 Edition

Oh, what a year it’s been! My reading goal was a sky-high 50 books, but I landed a bit short […]

This Giving Season 540 Needs Your Help More Than Ever

Dear Community, As we approach the end-of-year giving season, I want to express my thoughts and the reality of fundraising […]

540WMain Needs Your Support: Help Us Sustain Antiracist Education

Dear Friends of 540,  This year marks 540WMain’s seven-year anniversary and my eighth year of grassroots nonprofit leadership. As we […]

Unlearning Racism: What it Means to put in the Work

How can you Unlearn Racism? The fact that you are reading this article shows you are interested in self-examination and […]

My Year In Books | 2022 Edition

Another year, another book challenge under my belt. Every year I increase my reading goal and fall ever so slightly […]

20 Books You Must Read in 2023 by 540WMain

Dear Community, We tried really hard to get this list completed and published before the end of 2022 but alas […]

540 Launches New Online College-Style Course

Dear Community, We are so excited to launch a brand new 15-week online course starting February 21, 2023 Our new […]

This Giving Season We Need Your Support

giving season banner

Dear Community, Here we are on the precipice of another “giving season” the time when the collective of non-profits flood […]

Random Thoughts on Disability, Ableism and Erasure

Happy Disability Awareness Month It’s taken me months to finally gather the energy to compose this post and the irony […]

540 Celebrates Hispanic Heritage in September

Dear Community, September is recognized as Hispanic Heritage Month and we are excited to celebrate all month long with a […]

Monroe County Justice: Tough on (Some) Crime

Tough on Crime I got a DWI in Suffolk County, NY. I was driving without my headlamps on at night. […]

Creating a Toxic Work Environment: Peo Edition

I thought it was impossible for Rochester City Council member Jose Peo to hit a new low, but he is […]

← older

celebrate the legacy

For 9 years, 540WMain has been a home for creativity, justice, and community. As we close this chapter, your gift is a joyful way to honor all we’ve built together and help carry our story forward.

DONATE TODAY

non-profit disclaimer 540WMain, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) antiracist education nonprofit. Since 2016, we’ve advanced equity and justice through arts and community education. As we close in 2025, contributions support our Legacy Exhibition and the preservation of our archives.

mailing address 74 Merriman Street, Apt 4 | Rochester, NY 14607 calvin@540westmain.org

Policies

  • Privacy
  • Terms & Conditions

Information

  • Reports
  • Financials