Nazareth partners with 540WMain to give students access to social and racial justice education workshops
Nazareth College is proud to be the first organizational member in a new partnership with 540WMain,Inc., a Rochester, N.Y. virtual non-profit organization and antiracist education brand that promotes justice for all. The partnership enables Nazareth students in the College's Partners for Learning and Partners for Serving programs to attend community workshops and connect with resources, groups, and efforts in the wider area related to social and racial justice issues.
Nazareth is committed to anti-racism and social justice education and efforts. The College offers a robust variety of speakers and workshops on social and racial justice. This new partnership adds opportunities for students to learn alongside and connect with Rochester community members, adding to learning a wider mix of diverse lived experiences.
540WMain, Inc. workshops are delivered virtually, allowing for increased opportunities for Nazareth students to enhance their hands-on learning in the community and access community resources without the barriers of cost and transportation.
Nina DeMilta '24, a Nazareth Partners for Serving student majoring in music therapy, attended two virtual classes, "What to Black Women is the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment?" and "Introduction to Antiracism Practice."
"The 540WMain workshops have provided me with new information about how to approach racial injustices as a white person in America," said DeMilta. "I've learned how I can take action and unlearn the white-washed history that I've been taught for so long. This resource has opened new doors into my beliefs and perspectives by allowing me to reach the greater Rochester area and create dialogue."
Calvin Eaton, director/founder and chief content officer of 540WMain, Inc., said, "I am thrilled to have the Partners programs and the Nazareth Center for Community and Belonging as partners for 540's pilot organizational membership platform. Through this partnership, students engaged in community service and education work with local community-based organizations and the Rochester City School District (RCSD) will gain the development and skills needed to practice anti-racism in their personal and professional lives. These skills will benefit them in their work at the college and beyond."
Nazareth student Nancy Garcia believes the partnership will give her a strong foundation for her future career.
"The 540WMain workshops have served not only as a resource with information on various topics such as nonprofit work and American anti-racist history, but also as a connection to the Rochester community," said Garcia. "By attending workshops I have learned more about the history of the city of Rochester and of the mission of local organizations. This is an incredible resource that allows me to take what I am learning in my major of communication sciences and disorders and see how I can implement it to serve the city and Rochesterians."
540WMain, Inc. has launched this membership program to the community as of January 2021. Interested organizations may learn more by visiting patreon.com/540wmain or emailing info540westmain@gmail.com. Eaton looks forward to more Nazareth departments on campus joining the partnership.
For More Information
Julie Long | Chief PR Officer, | (585) 781-8186 | jlong2@naz.edu
Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for nearly 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.
Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.
