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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
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 12, 2024 07:30 AM 4Q 2024 December Health HAPP Meeting Topics include: Prenatal Co-Design Project; Sarah Stevens and Sadie Swenson, OCPHS Julie Ruzek, Cradle 2 Career CHAP Process: Looking ahead to 2025 Derrick Fritz, CHAP Coordinator Efforts Being Done to Address Community Health Priorities All Core Agency Updates CHAP Core Group Community Announcements and Sharing All ('CHNA', 'community', 'Health/Wellness', 'Health', 'public sector work product', 'key', 'health work product')
Dec 11, 2024 11:30 AM Pathways to a Vibrant, Just, and Equitable Rochester Destination Medical Center and the City of Rochester, in partnership with Griot Arts and Barbershop Talks, invite the community to the next installment of the Equity Alliance Equity Series. This in-person event, titled Pathways to a Vibrant, Just, and Equitable Rochester, will take place on Wednesday, December 11, at 11:30 a.m. at the Chateau Theatre. The program will feature a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Nicole Asong Nfonoyim-Hara. ('city', 'rps', 'dmc', 'diversity', 'key', 'community engagement')
Nov 23, 2024 01:30 PM Community Upstanding - Townhall One This week’s program effort is focused on Community Upstander Training and will feature Tom Thibodeau, Distinguished Professor of Servant Leadership from Viterbo University. Thibodeau is the founder of the Master of Arts in Servant Leadership, the first master’s degree of its kind in the nation, and a founding member of hospitality and fellowship resource. Thibodeau is a popular professor, talented public speaker, and an extremely active community member focused on ethical life, serving the common good, and addressing homelessness. ('diversity', 'community engagement', 'NAACP')
Nov 16, 2024 10:00 AM NAACP Rochester Branch Elections In accordance with the 2024 National NAACP Election Procedures, the election date was chosen during the Rochester Branch’s August 16 General Membership Meeting. Since then, and with guidance and oversight from the National NAACP, the Rochester Branch established the Branch Nominating Committee in September and the Election Supervisory Committee in October. ('NAACP', 'Diversity', 'governance')
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')
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
Restoration Glen Completion (By Invitation Only) Nov 12, 2026 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM — Retoration Glen, 1730 Restoration Road SW
2026 Weaving a Wider Community Nov 13, 2026 08:00 AM - 12:00 PM — Christ United Methodist Church
Discovery Square Innovation District Open House Nov 16, 2026 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM — One + Two Discovery Square
BioLabs Ribbon Cutting Reception Nov 16, 2026 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM — Two Discovery Square
University of Minnesota Rochester State of the Campus Nov 17, 2026 08:00 AM - 09:30 AM — Two Discovery Square, 3rd Floor
Building Rochester: Celebrating Downtown Housing & Citywalk Groundbreaking Nov 19, 2026 01:30 PM - 04:00 PM — Corner of 2nd Street SW and 6th Avenue SW Rochester, MN
2026 DMC Annual Meeting Luncheon Nov 20, 2026 11:50 AM - 01:30 PM
Nov 2026 Community & City Council Forum Nov 30, 2026 05:30 PM - 08:00 PM — Chateau Theatre
Christmas Anonymous – Rochester MN 2026 Dec 12, 2026 08:00 AM - 04:00 PM — Christ United Methodist
Upcoming events…
Community News

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



Rochester-Olmsted County 4(d) Affordable Housing Incentive Program - Rental property owners

Nov 5, 2026: Applications open for Rochester-Olmsted County 4(d) Affordable Housing Incentive Program

Nov 3, 2025 Application Open:  Application Open The current Rochester-Olmsted County 4(d) Affordable Housing Incentive Program application is for the Tax Assessment Year 2025 - Tax Payable Year 2026, the tax savings for this application will not be realized until the Tax Payable Year 2026.

 

Last Updated November 05, 2026



Reimagining 6th Ave West - Project Update

Nov 2026 Press Release 6th Ave. Design Open House

Sep 9, 2026 City Council Update

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 October 29, 2026



October 2026 City Council Study Session

Downtown Employee Parking 

Prevailing Wages for City Projects

Last Updated October 28, 2026



Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Strategic Management & Policy Considerations

Oct 26 City Council Study Session

Last Updated October 26, 2026



Council Initiated Action - City Council Civility Pledge

Oct 19, 2026 City Council Meeting Pledge

LMC - Civility Pledge

Last Updated October 24, 2026



RPS 2030 Strategic Plan Finalization

RPS Board Meeting: Oct 20, 2026 Board Finalization

RPS Board Briefings: Oct 6, 2026; Sep 15, 2026

Last Updated October 21, 2026



Co-design Information

Oct 19, 2026 Community Co-Design Leadership Training

October 2, 2023 City Council Study Session; September Co-design Meeting (Co-Design Preparation Guide, Pilot Co-Design Dashboard) 

Last Updated October 19, 2026



Graham Park Exhibition Center

Oct 14, 2026: Lodging Tax 0.5% increase proposal

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 October 14, 2026



Housing Alliance Meeting Log

2025 Notable 

Maxfield Housing Report

Environmental Justice; 

 

Last Updated October 12, 2026



City for Good 2026 Candidates Forum Proceedings

RPS Board Candidate Forums: C4G Forum: Written responses to City for Good Questions:; League of Women Voters Video

C4G: City Council Candidates and Mayoral Candidate Video Recordings

Last Updated October 12, 2026



Minnesota Housing Partnership (MHP) Publications

2026, 2023, 2021, 2019 Olmsted County Housing Profiles By Minnesota Housing Partnership 

2026 MN State Profile

Last Updated October 09, 2026



2026 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) Data

healthwellnessyouth

Oct 6, 2026 School Board Meeting 

Gemini AI: Breakdown of how individual schools within Rochester Public Schools MCA test data; How did Southeast Minnesota schools do on the MCAs?

 

Last Updated October 07, 2026



RPS Balanced Budget Model

Oct 6, 2026 RPS Board Meeting: Levy

2026 Review and 2027 Enhancements: 

 Phase I of the Balanced Budget Model (BBM), launched across all learning sites and select special education programs, served as both a starting point and a critical learning stage.

AI Summary of PB ePaper Article

Last Updated October 07, 2026



Sports Complex 2026 Updates

Sep 29, 2026: Press Release - City and Altra Federal Credit Union partnership

Jul 13, 2026: City Council Study Session - Funding Options for Indoor Phase 2 

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

Last Updated September 29, 2026



DMC Strategic Development Proposal

Sep 2026: Strategic Priorities and Funding Framework

May 2026: Consider a recommendation to approve up to $3 million in DMC General State Infrastructure Aid (GSIA)

Last Updated September 27, 2026



Second Street LINK Transit Construction

Sep 24, 2026 DMCC Board Meeting

City, DMC PSA: Beginning September 22, traffic on 2nd Street SW will shift to maintain one lane in each direction between 18th Avenue SW and 23rd Avenue SW Affected areas

Last Updated September 26, 2026



America's City for Heath and Older Adults Needs

Sep 2026: DMCC Board Meeting

Jul 2026: AARP Tech and Aging

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 September 24, 2026



CHATEAU THEATRE OPERATING ANALYSIS UPDATE

Sep 24, 2026 DMCC Board Meeting; Sep 9, 2026 City Council Action Chateau Strategy

Aug 10, 2026 City Council Study Session  Council to review planning-level capital investment needs identified through both the City’s facility assessment and the Legends Global operating analysis.

Last Updated September 24, 2026



Downtown and Public Realm Investment

Sep 24, 2026 DMCC Board Meeting 

City of Rochester Launches Minnesota’s First Operational Thermal Energy Network Through Downtown Building Energy Transition Initiative

Last Updated September 24, 2026



Home Innovation Lab - Aging in Place

Sep 2026: Tech-Enabled Housing Update at DMCC Board

May 2026: Home Innovation Lab Open House

Dec 2025 DMCC Board Meeting: The Home Innovation Lab will combine research, technology, and design to create and evaluate “tech-enabled age-in-place” living environments that improve health, comfort, and independence for older adults.

Apr 2025 DMC Real Estate Summit: Aging in place talk

Last Updated September 23, 2026