FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 540WMain Gentrification Conference?

The 540WMain Spring 2019 Gentrification Conference is a community led conference that has a goal to facilitate positive conversation and action around making Rochester accessible to all persons.

Attendees will be tasked with creating individual and collective actions around the central question: How do we support development without displacement in the City of Rochester?

What is Gentrification?

Gentrification(noun) : the buying and renovation of houses and stores in deteriorated urban neighborhoods by upper- or middle-income families or individuals, raising property values but often displacing low-income families and small businesses.

Gentrifier (veb) : to alter (a deteriorated urban neighborhood) through the buying and renovation of houses and stores by upper- or middle-income families or individuals, raising property values but often displacing low-income families and small businesses.

Source: Dictionary.com

What Should I Expect as an Attendee?

Morning session

will feature P.E. Moskowitz, author of the acclaimed 2017 book “How to Kill a City: Gentrification, Inequality and the Fight for the Neighborhood” and will inform our afternoon program.

How Much Does the Conference Cost?

The conference has a fee of $10/person but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Proceeds will support the respective missions and work of 540WMain Communiversity & City Roots Community Land Trust. 

Will food/lunch be provided?

Attendees should expect a light complimentary breakfast, refreshments, drinks and *snacks throughout the day. *Vegan and gluten free options will be the standard along with healthy fresh snack options

Can I bring my children?

Childcare will not be provided for this conference.

Who are the facilitators?

This engaging and hands on  conference will be co-facilitated by two veteran teachers and community leaders, Calvin Eaton Founder and Executive Director of  540WMain Learning Academy and Shane Wiegand from the Beechwood Neighborhood Coalition and City Roots Community Land Trust.

How Can I Donate to the Conference?

• Donations for the gentrification conference can be submitted online // paypal.me/glutenfreechefblog
• or via check

City Roots Community Land Trust // attn Gentrification

Mailing address 540WMain Street * Rochester, NY * 14608

How Can My Organization Be A Sponsor

Sponsoring the conference is also a great way to remind and show the community that your organization or company cares about promoting development without displacement. We also need sponsorships to help us cover the cost supplies, ASL interpreting, AV equipment, interns, and more.

If organization would like to participate in this year’s event as a sponsor, please submit an online application by HERE // download the application HERE

Sponsorship Levels

• Level 1-Supporter  $250 Company/Organization Name and Logo on conference website. You will also be sponsoring three community members’ attendance
• Level 2-Partner: $500 inclusion of logo on all event materials, website, and social media platforms, full page ad on back of itinerary, and five minutes of program time to promote your organization. Three community members will be given free admission in your name, you will be given four tickets to the event, and a complimentary vendor table for your organization.
• Level 3-Community Champion $1000+ inclusion of logo on all event materials, website, and social media platforms, full page ad in official conference program and five minutes of program time to promote your organization. Three community members will be given free admission in your name, you will be given four tickets to the event and a complimentary vendor table for your organization. .
• Organization Vendor $25 This level is for grassroots, corporate, or non-profit organizations that want to have a presence at the conference as a vendor but are unable to commit as a sponsor. Booth includes: 1 6ft table and two chairs.

How can I academically prepare for the conference?

All attendees are strongly encouraged to read the following books/articles to be best prepared for the conference:

1. How to Kill A City: Gentrification, Inequality, and the Fight for the Neighborhood by Peter Moskowitz
2. Gentrifier by John Joe Schlichtman, Jason Patch and Marc Lamont Hill
3. Four Types of Gentrifiers You See In Your Neighborhood by John Joe Schlichtman
4. How The Unwilling Gentrifier Buys a Home
5. 20 Ways Not to Be a Gentrifier by Dannette Lambert
6. Confessions of a reluctant Gentrifier by Eula Biss
7. How to Stop Gentrification by Collin Kinniburgh

Listen to the following podcast:

• There Goes the Neighborhood by WNYC Studios