Flashback to 2019! ✨ We’re reminiscing about the incredible art reception we hosted at our former space, 540WestMain, featuring the work of the talented @faithgruverstudio. 🎨🖌️ Faith’s exhibition, MAPS, was a powerful exploration of history, artistry, and storytelling. Her work illuminated the historical significance of hair braiding as a means of communication and resistance during the abolitionist movement—mapping out paths to freedom in intricate, meaningful ways. Hosting this show was an honor, and we are still inspired by Faith’s ability to weave history into her stunning visual narratives. Were you there? Share your memories with us! 💬✨ #FaithGruver #ArtExhibition #540WestMain #Throwback #HairBraidingHistory #AbolitionistMovement #BlackHistoryThroughArt #TBT (fb)

At 540WMain, reading has always been fundamental. We believe that to truly understand our present, we must read and reflect on the past. This commitment to learning and growth inspired the launch of the Unpacking™ Book Club in 2018—a space dedicated to deep, community-centered discussions around privilege, bias, and antiracism. The very first gathering took place at Boulder Coffee, where participants came together over coffee and conversation to dive into meaningful texts. As the club evolved, it transitioned to an online format in 2020, expanding its reach and allowing for more voices to join the dialogue. Throughout its history, the Unpacking™ Book Club has explored powerful works such as Mediocre The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America by Ijeoma Oluo, How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi, Evicted by Matthew Desmond, and most recently in 2025, The Case for Cancel Culture by Ernest Owens. Each book has challenged readers to examine systemic issues, reflect on their own roles in social change, and actively pursue antiracist ways of being. The move to Facebook Groups brought weekly discussions, guided lessons, and live chats moderated by 540WMain’s Founder, Calvin Eaton, and guest facilitators—making the conversations more accessible and dynamic than ever before. What started as a small community gathering has grown into a vibrant space for education, reflection, and collective action. #bannedbooks #reading #history (fb)