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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
Feb 23, 2024 07:15 PM Feb 23, 2024: The Year of Respect Feb 2024 This is a magnificent mission worthy of every effort we can individually and collectively give. 2024 The Year of RESPECT is a community-wide initiative that strives to reshape our attitudes and actions toward each other. Join us in this HEAD and HEART experience, as we take actionable steps to build a kinder community that is a light and example for the world. Let’s do this Together! ('networking', 'key', 'civic engagement')
Feb 17, 2024 10:30 AM Black History Month - The Arts, Virtual Story Time Bring your kiddos and virtually join us for fun and empowering stories of Black Artists. ('arts', 'diversity', 'Culture', 'key', 'NAACP')
Feb 16, 2024 10:00 PM Feb 2024 Bi-Monthly Community Co-Design Meeting (By Invitation) We will be 1) offering updates on co-design projects and training, 2) sharing guidance and tools for co-design project preparation (what questions to ask, how much will it cost, how long will it take, etc), and 3) discuss future co-design opportunities, barriers, and ways we might be able to support them/you. ('DMC', 'diversity', 'openbeam', 'key', 'co-design')
Feb 16, 2024 10:00 AM AAPI Economic Development Summit, Part II Join us for our 2nd Blue LineExtension Summit. We will explore and discuss the opportunities for business and cultural developments along the Blue Line, in order to meet the needs of our growing communities. ('transportation', 'transit', 'Diversity', 'Entrepreneurship')
Feb 14, 2024 12:00 PM How We Rise: Lessons from Rochester’s Black History What can Rochester's local Black history teach us about how to center equity and racial justice today? What role does history play in how we understand and confront current issues of equity? Andre Crockett Sr. and Nicole Nfonoyim-Hara explore lessons from the new traveling exhibit Still We Rise: Rochester's Black Legacy. The exhibit is a showcase of the key leaders and events that have shaped the local community and its history. ('DMC', 'Diversity', 'CMRC', 'key')
Feb 14, 2024 10:00 AM Feb 14, 2024 Coalition for Rochester Area Housing Alliance (By Invitation) Senior Housing Presentation: Harvestview West Townhome Development; Housing Preservation Presentation: Residents of Old Town Hall Purchase & Plans ('RAF', 'Housing', 'openbeam', 'key', 'housing')
Feb 13, 2024 10:00 AM RPS Feb 2024 Family Engagement Meeting School Counseling and Family Engagement, with a presentation from Alex Higano, Lead School Counselor, and perspectives from RPS school counselors. ('RPS', 'diversity', 'rps', 'community', 'key', 'education')
Feb 12, 2024 08:00 AM Rochester's Black Legacy: A Traveling Exhibit - Still We Rise Nationwide, Black History Month will be celebrated in February 2024. This presents a rich opportunity for the Rochester community to honor its local and regional Black history and to celebrate the vibrant and dynamic community that makes up Rochester today. ('NAACP', 'Diversity')
Feb 10, 2024 11:00 AM Black History Month - Renaissance of Black Arts in Rochester ('diversity', 'education', 'NAACP')
Feb 10, 2024 10:00 AM Introducing You to You A Free Self Discovery Workshop ('mental health', 'Diversity', 'MN Compass', 'Health', 'CMRC')
Feb 03, 2024 11:00 AM From "Waste to Wealth" to "African Nouveau" NAACP 2024 Black History Speaker Series ('diversity', 'NAACP', 'community')
Feb 01, 2024 09:30 AM Feb 1, 2024 DMCC Board Meeting Five year DMC Plan Heads Up, Shared Lab Spaces, Riverfront Small Area Plan 2.0, UMR developing human potential for healthcare industry, Bioech Hub, West Transit ('EDA', 'key', 'Entrepreneurship')
Jan 25, 2024 06:00 PM Financial Wellbeing: Strategies for building black wealth The Black Wealth Community Education Series is a free, virtual, and live resource for all while centering Black people and Black experiences. This series will cover topics such as economic justice, housing, health and healing, and more! This is a Black-centered space where the Open Road Fund prioritizes uplifting Black voices and safety. ('Diversity',)
Jan 19, 2024 05:30 PM 2024: The Year of Respect--Mission: Kick-Off We have two REMARKABLE guests plus a GREAT evening planned that will both bless and INSPIRE YOU. George Thompson back in the day was not allowed to attend High School with white students. Today George is one of Rochester's most respected citizens. To know George is to love the man...He is an INSPIRATION. Israel Rocha has an equally inspiring story. Within the past two years Israel went from a life long drug addict who was homeless to DRY, marrying his girl friend, uniting their family and 7 year old son PLUS gaining sobriety. His presence exudes valuing people of all kinds. The Rocha's now have an apartment and bless others. Other guests will lift your spirit as we talk about what will happen this year in 2024 Year of RESPECT. ('networking', 'key', 'civic engagement')
Jan 19, 2024 11:00 AM CMRC Interlock Meeting with RAEDI and SBDC/Rochester Introduce CMRC Purpose, Explore business case for CMRC and future collaboration potentials, ('CMRC', 'key')
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