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Key DEI Events

 

This is a collection of what is deemed to be events having impacts on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.  

 

See the Diversity Beam for notable DEI projects. 

 

Start Date Title Description Tags
Nov 13, 2024 12:00 PM Equity Alliance Equity Series - Power of Community Benefits Agreement In this episode, we look at best practices to both understand the power of community benefits agreements and how to begin strong campaigns to secure community benefits agreements if the policy is fitting to the needs of the community. ('DMC', 'Diversity', 'Entrepreneurship', 'key', 'latino')
Nov 13, 2024 10:00 AM Nov 2024 Coalition for Rochester Area Housing Alliance The non-profit housing provider Aeon, and their proposed local project at Mayo's West Transit Village. ('RAF', 'housing', 'openbeam', 'key')
Nov 12, 2024 10:00 AM RPS November Family Engagement Meeting: Students in Transition Information Session The focus for this meeting is a Students in Transition Information Session, featuring a presentation by Nicole Wibstad, RPS Students in Transition Coordinator, and Connie Cohen ('RPS', 'education', 'key')
Nov 08, 2024 08:00 AM FREC 2024 Annual Overcoming Racism Conference Morning keynote speakers: Rev. Jim Bear Jacobs and Rev. Pamela Ngunjiri Afternoon breakout workshops ('rps', 'community engagement', 'openbeam', 'key', 'Diversity')
Nov 02, 2024 05:00 PM Rochester Branch of the NAACP, 2024 Freedom Fund Banquet - Let Freedom Ring Featured Entertainment and Performers: • Patricia Lacy-Aiken Renowned vocalist Patricia Lacy-Aiken, who is a seasoned vocalist with Grammy Award-winning Sounds of Blackness, and who had a decade – long global tour with Luther Vandross as a backup singer. • LaSonya Natividad and Madison Parish Ensemble Rochester’s own LaSonya Natividad accompanied by the Madison Parish Ensemble will grace the stage, captivating audience with unique blend of jazz, blues, and a sprinkle of R&B, reflecting deep musical roots and diverse influences. • Heart & Soul Drum Academy The talented youth of the Heart & Soul Drum Academy will deliver an energetic performance of African Djembe drumming and dance, led by founder Baba Jesse Buckner. Their captivating performance showcases the beauty of culture and the power of the arts in empowering young people and community. ('diversity', 'NAACP', 'openbeam')
Nov 02, 2024 02:00 PM Journie: Selma Movie Screening and Discussions Join us for a film exploring the history of voting rights, followed by a panel discussion featuring representatives from the DFL and GOP. It's a great opportunity to learn and engage in important conversations about this vital topic. Don't miss it! Journie is a nonpartisan organization committed to educating our communities about historical facts, youth development through lived experience, political agendas, resources, and the advancement of marginalized groups. ('diversity', 'governance')
Nov 01, 2024 05:00 PM Journie: Selma Movie Screening and Discussions Join us for a film exploring the history of voting rights, followed by a panel discussion featuring representatives from the DFL and GOP. It's a great opportunity to learn and engage in important conversations about this vital topic. Don't miss it! Journie is a nonpartisan organization committed to educating our communities about historical facts, youth development through lived experience, political agendas, resources, and the advancement of marginalized groups. ('diversity', 'governance')
Oct 30, 2024 05:30 PM Financial Liberation Workshop Financial Literacy, Credit Counseling, Leadership, Coaching, Personal Finance ('NAACP', 'education', 'Diversity', 'Entrepreneurship')
Oct 29, 2024 02:00 PM Free Speech vs. Hate Speech: Understanding the Boundaries and Building Resilient Communities Cohosts: Winona State, RCTC: This timely event will feature two key sessions aimed at exploring the balance between free speech and hate speech, as well as the impacts of hate on marginalized communities. We will be moderating the discussions. ('diversity', 'civic engagement')
Oct 26, 2024 01:00 PM Juneteenth Reckoning with Slavery MN African American History ('diversity',)
Oct 22, 2024 12:30 PM Cradle to Career: High School Graduation Network Check-in, Announcements and Updates, Workgroups, Share, Checkout ('youth', 'c2c', 'education', 'key')
Oct 18, 2024 04:00 PM Asian Pacific Minnesotans Leadership Awards Dinner We the People: 40 Years of empowering Asian Pacific Minnesotans ('diversity', 'Asian')
Oct 17, 2024 12:00 PM Vision 2050 at Kiwanis Club of Rochester 20 minutes session with Kiwanis Day Makers: Introduction and Conversations to obtain inputs ('Kiwanis', 'vision', 'key')
Oct 15, 2024 09:00 AM Vision 2050 at Kiwanis Day Makers 20 minutes session with Kiwanis Day Makers: Introduction and Conversations to obtain inputs ('Kiwanis', 'openbeam', 'key')
Oct 14, 2024 12:00 PM Indigenous Peoples Day ('diversity',)
Document Actions

Two types of event information being shared in the following:

1. A list of Beam aware upcoming community events of all types. 

2. A list of noteworthy past events that have one or more of the following contents: presentation slides, video recordings as well as takeaways. 

Upcoming Events
Rochester Area Housing Alliance May 2026 May 13, 2026 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM — Two Discovery Square, Conference Room A
2026 MaxAbility Reverse Job Fair May 14, 2026 10:15 AM - 12:00 PM — Heintz Center Commons
2026 Rochester PRIDE May 16, 2026 12:00 PM - 05:00 PM — Soldiers Field Park, Rochester, MN
RPS Oskate Wacipi (to play powow) May 16, 2026 01:00 PM - 05:00 PM — John Marshall High School
STRONGERTOGETHER: AN EARLY CHILDHOOD EVENT May 18, 2026 05:30 PM - 08:00 PM — Woodlake Meeting Center
May 21 2026 DMCC Board Meeting May 21, 2026 09:30 AM - 12:00 PM — Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive SE, Rochester, MN 55904
Project Community Connect May 22, 2026 10:00 AM - 02:00 PM — Christ United Methodist Church
DMC 2026 Real Estate Development and Investment Summit (4/16/25) May 28, 2026 09:30 AM - 03:00 PM — Hilton Rochester Mayo Clinic Area 10 E Center Street
Livingworks Asist Jun 11, 2026 - Jun 12, 2026 — Rochester Area Foundation- 12 Elton Hills Drive
Rochester's Sister City - German Trip Jun 12, 2026 - Jun 22, 2026
Upcoming events…
Community News

This panel displays the latest community news. For a standalone view please click this LINK.



Age-Friendly Olmsted County (AFOC) Update

May 2026 AFOC Report

Last Updated May 12, 2026



Ambassadors for Equity and Belonging Program

Rochester Area Foundation is piloting a new type of cohort centered around the concept of “belonging” as a strategic framework,

Last Updated April 29, 2026



University of Minnesota Sales Tax Request

Apr 27, 2026: UMR discussion at City Council Study Session

Last Updated April 29, 2026



Any Path Home push against homelessness

Apr 23, 2026 In the City for Good Forum; Mar 11, 2026 Rochester Area Housing Alliance Discussion

Feb 5, 2025 Post Bulletin Reporting Abstract; Mar 10, 2024 City Council Study Session Update

 

Last Updated April 27, 2026



RCTC Sports Facilities

Apr 27, 2026 City Council Study Session Community Engagement Rochester Regional Sports Center, Stadium & Sports Fields

Last Updated April 26, 2026



Graham Park Exhibition Center Groundbreaking

Apr 24, 2026: Oak View Group to run exhibition center.

Aug 2025: Groundbreaking Construction began Wednesday on a $48.7 million project at Graham Park, Rochester. The centerpiece is an 80,000-square-foot exhibition center with a performance arena seating 1,500 people.

Last Updated April 24, 2026



Rochester Sports and Recreation Complex

Apr 24 PB Reporting: Bill on sports complex 

City Council Discussions:

  • Dec 8, 2025 City Council Meeting
  • Oct 6, 2025 City Council Meeting
  • July 28, 2025 City Council Study Session 

PB Summary; Sample of community feedbacks on Facebook

Last Updated April 24, 2026



America's City for Health (ACH)

Reimagine what can be done to fulfill the vision of ACH

Last Updated April 23, 2026



RPS Proposed Budget Reductions

April 21, 2026: School Board Meeting Revised Proposed Leadership Changes 

April 7, 2026: Budget Reduction Impact

Sep 12, 2023 RPS Board Study Session video recording; Proposed Equity Policy; PB Reporting

Last Updated April 22, 2026



Rochester International Relations Committee

Apr 2026 Siheung, Korean Newsletter; 2026 Winter Newsletter; Sister City Visits Germany Visit

2025 Sister City Trips: Japan; Rochester Sister City Application (Roles and Responsibilities)

Sister Cities Relationship Logs; IRC Meeting Logs

Last Updated April 22, 2026



Joyce Gibbs – A Life of Strength, Service, and Enduring Impact

Apr 22, 2026 Press Release

Rochester NAACP announces passing of Mrs. Joyce Gibbs

 

Last Updated April 22, 2026



City of Rochester Seeks Proposals for Sale and Redevelopment of Parcels

The City of Rochester is now accepting proposals for the sale and redevelopment of two City-owned residential parcels located in the Durand Subdivision and Hilmer’s High View Acres.

Last Updated April 17, 2026



Housing Investment Status and Statistics

Apr 2026 Housing Coalition Tour $4M investment

Jan 2026 Housing Alliance: 2025 Real Estate SEMN Marketing Data, 2025 Coalition Investments

 

Last Updated April 17, 2026



RPS Family Engagement Opportunities

Apr 2026 Family Engagement Policy Meetings

Jan 2026 Announcements: Family Engagement, Caregiver and Parent Empowerment 

Last Updated April 16, 2026



Rochester, MN Supplemental Budget

2026 Apr 13 City Council Study Session on 2027 Supplemental Budget

2022-08-22 City Council Study Session on 2023 Supplemental Budget

Last Updated April 14, 2026



RPS 2030 Strategic Plan Reviews

Apr 12, 2026 RPS Board Meeting: High School 

Mar 17, 2026 RPS Board Meeting: Middle School

Mar 3, 2026 RPS Board Meeting: Elementary School & Early Childhood 

Last Updated April 12, 2026



Lifestyle Wellness

Apr 2026: Rochester Mayor Proclamation 

March 2020: Rochester Mayor Proclamation  

Lotus Health Foundation Workshops 

Last Updated April 10, 2026



America's City for Health - DMC Development Plan 2025 Update

September 2025 Equity Alliance Series Presentation- Video Recordings, Selected Presentation Screen Shots

References - Sep 2025 DMCC Board 10-Year Midpoint

Last Updated April 06, 2026



2024-2025 RPS Data Analysis

April 2026 Reporting: 2025 High School Graduation Rate 

Sep 2025 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) Improvement Action Plan 

2024-25 Fastbridge Data Analysis and Literacy Plan Update

PB reporting on MCA

Last Updated April 04, 2026



Healthy Living Wellness Tips

2026: KTTC: Midwest Access Video Clips

2025 Sep Newsletter; 2025 Conference Materials

2020 Lifestyle Medicine Symposium (March 19-20)

Last Updated April 02, 2026