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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
Dec 06, 2025 02:00 PM Rochester Cultural Center Grand Opening It is with great pleasure that we extend an invitation to you to join us in marking a significant milestone in our journey. We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of the Rochester Cultural Center, and we would be honored if you could be present to celebrate this momentous occasion with us. ('culture', 'diversity', 'CMRC', 'culture center')
Dec 04, 2025 05:30 PM Forum and Discussion on ‘Democracy Innovations for Better Public Meetings’ (Date changed to Dec 4) The event will provide residents the opportunity to learn more about the Democracy Innovations for Better Public Meetings project and provide feedback. This project is designed to make public meetings more engaging while strengthening connections between community members and local government. ('key', 'governance')
Nov 18, 2025 09:30 AM Nov 2025 Mayor's International Relations Committee Meeting Coordinate the Sister Cities Program; support international affairs in the city; provide a welcoming and supportive climate for international residents ('Diversity', 'global', 'governance', 'culture', 'key', 'education')
Nov 15, 2025 05:00 PM NAACP 2025 Freedom Fund Banquet The 2025 Freedom Fund Banquet will feature two trailblazing leaders as keynote speakers: Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and Mayor Hollies Winston of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, the first Black mayors in their respective cities. Their historic achievements serve as powerful examples of progress and inspiration for our Rochester community. ('diversity', 'NAACP')
Nov 15, 2025 12:00 PM November 2025 Rochester – Headscarf Story Circle The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) is excited to host Headscarf Story Circle – a series of offerings that recognize the strength and resiliency of women. Join us for our first of three offerings in Rochester as we gather together through the shared connection of the headscarf and its complexity. ('education', 'diversity')
Nov 12, 2025 12:00 PM Meeting the Moment: Community Led Systems Change This session centers on translating community priorities into actionable systems change by activating state decision makers, partners, and advocates. ('city', 'rps', 'dmc', 'diversity', 'key', 'community engagement', 'Education')
Nov 12, 2025 10:00 AM Rochester Housing Alliance November 2025 Feature Presentation — Navigating Housing Development Challenges: Restoration Glen Speakers from Bear Creek Development & Three Rivers Community Action ✅ Spotlight — Inventory of Affordable & Accessible Rental Housing Presented by The Arc Minnesota Southeast Region ('RAF', 'housing', 'governance', 'openbeam', 'key')
Nov 11, 2025 09:30 AM Nov 2025 RPS Family Engagement Spotlight on Host Site: Overland Elementary Introductions and Welcome (10:00–10:10) • Highlight Topic: RPS Language Access, Interpretation Services, and Culturally Sustaining Family Engagement ('RPS', 'Education', 'diversity', 'key')
Oct 28, 2025 09:30 AM Oct 2025 Mayor's International Relations Committee Meeting Coordinate the Sister Cities Program; support international affairs in the city; provide a welcoming and supportive climate for international residents ('Diversity', 'global', 'governance', 'culture', 'key', 'education')
Oct 24, 2025 05:30 PM IMAA Pearl Gala Annual Fundraiser 2025 United for Humanity: Building Bridges to Belonging ('imaa', 'diversity')
Oct 22, 2025 06:00 PM How to Start a Business - In English Training Topics: Accounting/Budget, Business Financing, Business Plan, Business Start-up/Preplanning, Legal Issues, Managing a Business, Marketing/Sales, Tax Planning Description: How to Start a Business from Scratch - Part 2: In the final classes, you will dive into the practical implementation of your business idea, addressing key aspects such as legal and financial structure, initial marketing strategies, and preparing to launch your venture into the market. Additionally, you will learn to establish basic accounting systems and financial management to ensure operational soundness from the outset. ('diversity', 'community engagement', 'Entrepreneurship')
Oct 21, 2025 01:00 PM 2025 Co-design Leadership Training Session 1 Option 2 We will cover how to evaluate co-design processes, share back insights from the mini-design sprint, and building on those insights discuss how to initiate a co-design project. ('diversity', 'dmc', 'co-design')
Oct 16, 2025 06:00 PM SBDC - Foundations of Effective Marketing Part 2 Marketing Success starts with clarity. Brand Identity. ('diversity', 'health', 'Diversity', 'Entrepreneurship')
Oct 10, 2025 08:30 AM Weaving a Wider Community Seeing and countering racism in our own backyard -- Key note speakers via Zoom: Jenna Grey Eagle, Dr. Ron Ferguson; Rochester Site Guest Speaker: Justin Terell ('diversity', 'Diversity', 'workforce')
Oct 09, 2025 06:00 PM SBDC - Foundations of Effective Marketing Part 1 Marketing Success starts with clarity. Brand Identity. ('diversity', 'health', 'Diversity', 'Entrepreneurship')
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