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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 10, 2025 12:00 PM Feb 2025 Rochester Vision 2050 Community Engagement Our city has undertaken a broad array of initiatives to create a bright future for her citizens and constituencies. These should be guided by a clear, optimistic, aspirational vision. 2050: Far enough for limitless possibilities; close enough to begin today to serve Rochester’s next generation and beyond. Vision 2050 Steering Committee guides this initiative A large volunteer group will put “Vision in Action”, using co-design to engage the community to share ideas and priorities for Rochester’s future. ('co-design', 'governance', 'community', 'key', 'openbeam')
Feb 01, 2025 10:00 AM Reflection to Action: Human Rights, Racial Justice, and Lessons from Skin Deep Skin Deep is a PBS documentary written by Prexy Nesbitt and Marian Marzynski. The documentary examines the fight against legal, institutionalized racism in the United States and South Africa, from the 1950s through the 1990s, through interviews with the people who took their protests against segregation and inequality into the streets and beyond, forcing remarkable changes. To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity. ” - Nelson Mandela ('diversity', 'NAACP')
Jan 30, 2025 06:30 PM Sister City Trips to Japan & Germany Conducted by Ed-Ventures Travel On behalf of the Mayor's International Relations Committee, the purpose of the meeting is to provide information about our Japan and Germany trips and generate interest. ('education', 'diversity')
Jan 27, 2025 03:30 PM Jan 2025 City Council Study Session - Strategic Planning The start of the year, the completion of recent City elections, and the onset of the budget season present an opportunity to review, refine, and affirm the City's Strategic Priorities. The current priorities have been in place since 2021 and were updated in early 2023. For over a year, the City team has been guided by these refined priorities identified by the City Council in 2023: 1. Affordable Living 2. Economic Vibrancy and Growth Management 3. Quality Services ('Housing', 'key', 'governance')
Jan 25, 2025 12:00 PM 2025 Lunar New Year Celebration Celebrate the Year of the Snake at the 2025 Lunar New Year Festival! Asia Mall invites you to join us on Saturday and Sunday, January 25th and 26th, from 12PM-5PM. This event marks the third official Lunar New Year celebration since our opening. Join us for an unforgettable day of traditional performances, cultural showcases, and community spirit. ('culture', 'Diversity')
Jan 21, 2025 05:30 PM Rochester Area Foundation Racial-Healing Please join our local National Day of Racial Healing Event (details below) 𝐂𝐨-𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐲: Olmsted County and Rochester Area Foundation ('youth', 'anti-racism', 'Diversity', 'Diversity Council')
Jan 20, 2025 08:30 AM January 2025 Annual MLK "We Have A Dream" Virtual Celebration Join us and NAACP Rochester Branch MN to celebrate Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with the annual We Have a Dream Celebration on Monday, January 20 from 8:30am to 10:30am. ('NAACP', 'Diversity')
Jan 17, 2025 05:00 PM 2025 Bowling Night by Journie Discover Journie programs and network. ('Diversity',)
Jan 17, 2025 03:00 PM Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota Policies and Practices to Expect; How to Prepare if You Do Not have Legal or Permanent Status; Overview of Immigration Court Process ('diversity', 'immigrant')
Jan 17, 2025 12:00 PM Messaging Training on Race Class Gender Narrative Learn how to craft messages that fight back against our opposition's divide-and-conquer tactics, cultivate multiracial solidarity, and move people on issues you care about. ('community engagement', 'education', 'Diversity')
Jan 14, 2025 10:00 AM RPS Jan 2025 Family Engagement Meeting: Opportunities for Students to Earn College Credit in High School Opportunities for Students to Earn College Credit in High School ('RPS', 'education', 'key')
Jan 10, 2025 07:15 AM Rochester Mayor's State of the City Address A fresh start for our best future ('key', 'governance', 'community', 'openbeam')
Jan 08, 2025 12:00 PM Beyond the Ballot: Black/Diverse Voices in Local Leadership In this episode, we take a deep dive into the transformative role of Black and diverse leaders in local politics and community organizations. Our presenters, Tawonda Burks and Walé Elegbede, will share their journeys, the unique challenges they face, and the powerful ways they are driving positive change. ('city', 'rps', 'dmc', 'diversity', 'key', 'community engagement')
Jan 08, 2025 10:00 AM Rochester Housing Alliance January 8, 2025 Topics: Presentation & Discussion: Eyota Building; Presentation & Discussion: 2024 Real Estate Stats Review; Presentation & Discussion: Economic and Housing Conditions Report ('RAF', 'housing', 'openbeam', 'key')
Dec 20, 2024 10:00 AM Dec 20, 2024 Community Co-design We will be discussing a new format for co-design engagement, promotion, and expansion for this group in 2025 and hope that you can offer feedback. ('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
Community Listening Session on Mental Health Clubhouse Mar 25, 2026 12:25 PM - 03:00 PM — Rochester Public Library
Candidate Training Program Session 2 by Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce Mar 28, 2026 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM — Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce [220 Broadway Ave S. Suite 100 Rochester, MN 55904]
AEON Afordable Housing Townhall Apr 01, 2026 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM — Cascade Lakeside Building at 88 23rd Ave. SW
Lifestyle Medicine Community of Wellness Symposium & Gala 2026 Apr 09, 2026 - Apr 10, 2026 — Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive SE, Rochester, MN 55904
RAVA 2026 Annual Spring Volunteer Fair Apr 15, 2026 09:30 AM - 12:30 PM
2026 Cambodian New Year Celebration Apr 25, 2026 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM — 4462 29th ST SE | Rochester, MN 55904
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.



County of Olmsted, MN Resident Surveys

2025: Park and Rec Survey Results

2022: High-level results from the Olmsted County 2022 Resident Survey were shared at the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday, July 19, 2022.

Last Updated March 23, 2026



ADA Public Input

Olmsted County is inviting community members to review and provide feedback on a draft update to its Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act Transition Plan for public right-of-way.

Last Updated March 20, 2026



Community Ed and Parks & Rec Survey

The survey asks residents about their current participation in recreation programs, how they learn about activities, and what types of programs or opportunities they would like to see offered in the future.

Last Updated March 20, 2026



Chamer of Commerce 2026 Case for Investment

Request for Investment to Olmsted County Board March 3 2026

Video Clip, Presentation Slides, Whitepaper

Last Updated March 18, 2026



Olmsted County Health Focus Topics

1Q 2026 HAPP Meeting Features:

Overdose SPIKE

Mental Health Club House

Last Updated March 17, 2026



DMC Private Investment Status

 Annual Report to DEED Prep 

  • Mar 2026 DMCC Exec Committee Meeting - Video Recording, PB Reporting - Private Investment Status
  • Mar 2025: DMCC Exec Committee Briefing " Overall private investment related to the Destination Medical Center initiative bounced back in 2024, but non-Mayo Clinic development continued to decline in the DMC district for the sixth year."

Last Updated March 15, 2026



Rochester Learning Center Mural Night

UMR and ALC Collaboration Research Study Introduction

The Artist Mindset Research Study

 

Last Updated March 14, 2026



City SUPPORTING TRANSFORMATION - BOLD. Forward. Unbound.

City Council Study Session:

Mar 2026 Video Recording, Presentation

Feb 2025 Video Recording Link, Presentation, Collaboration Commitment

Last Updated March 10, 2026



America's City for Heath and Older Adults Needs

Mar 2026: Tech Enabled Aging In Place Talks Postings

Oct 2025 AI Summary of Dave Beal's PB Op Ed: "Include older adults in Rochester's Plans"

Last Updated March 09, 2026



Braver Angels News

Listen to (and learn from) the other side

  • 2026 - Mar 6 Volunteer Opportunities, Feb Citizens Commission on Immigration Outreach
  • 2025, 24 - Mar 2025 Newsletters: End birthright citizenship? Apr 2024 Braver Angels Newsletter: 2024 National Convention; National Debate: Should we be colorblind?

 

Last Updated March 06, 2026



2025-26 RPS Superintendent Goals Check

Feb 3 2026 Midyear Review: 

  • Video Clip
  • Talking Points 

Last Updated March 04, 2026



Development Assistance Agreement Relating to the Citywalk Apartments for Tax Increment Financing

Mar 2, 2026: Rochester Economic Development Authority 

Approving and Authorizing the Execution of Development Assistance Agreement (Citywalk Project)

Last Updated March 03, 2026



Downtown Mobility Network

Mar 2 2025 City Council: Memo, Video, Presentation

Sep 2025 Press Release: City of Rochester Launches “Reimagining Sixth Avenue W” to Reconnect Downtown Mobility Network

Last Updated March 03, 2026



RPS 2030 Strategic Plan Design

Mar 3, 2026 RPS Board Meeting: Background Memo, Video Clip, Presentation 

Last Updated March 03, 2026



Public Office Candidate Trainings

Two sets of candidates training programs: 

1. Ready to Run: Community Partners Training: March 11, March 25, April 1

2. Chamber of Commerce Sponsored Training: March 7, March 28 

Last Updated February 28, 2026



City Council and Mayor-Better Public Hearing Meeting

Feb 9, 2026 Study Session: Report, Video, Presentation

Summarizing interviews, survey responses, scorecard and public forum 

Last Updated February 27, 2026



Hope at Home

Nearly $60,000 has been distributed to help prevent evictions

The Hope at Home Fund, created by Family Promise Rochester

Last Updated February 26, 2026



2026 and 2025 Action Plan Updates

Feb 2026 Action Plan Update

Jan 2025 City of Rochester’s Action Plan, first implemented in 2021, serves as our roadmap for success. It outlines current initiatives aimed at advancing City Council's Strategic Priorities. 

Last Updated February 26, 2026



Downtown Historic District Investment

Feb 23, 2026 City Council Study Session 

DMCC Board Meeting Dec 10, 2025

  • Request Memo
  • Video Recording
  • Presentation 

Last Updated February 26, 2026



Olmsted County Press Release:

We are Water MN Traveling Exhibit Feb 25 thru Apr 20, 2026: A statewide partnership that deepens connections between Minnesotans

and the water we rely on.

Last Updated February 19, 2026