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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
Jul 04, 2024 11:00 AM Cambodian Annual Picnic You are cordially invited to join us for the Cambodian Annual Picnic, a celebration of our community's success and unity! As we gather together to share in the joy of our community's accomplishments, we extend an open invitation to all to join us for an afternoon of food, fun, friendship and story sharing of our past. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with our fellow community members, make new friends, and create lasting memories. ('diversity', 'Asian', 'community')
Jun 25, 2024 04:00 PM 2024 Village Farmers Market Kickoff Farmer's Markets start on Tuesday June 25, 4 - 7 pm, and run all Tuesdays through early October. ('time-sensitive', 'Diversity', 'CMRC')
Jun 24, 2024 04:30 PM CMRC June 2024 Meeting CMRC Updates, ISAIAH; Three Rivers Community Actions on Housing; Mobilizing Olmsted County Voices for Equity; Vision 2050 ('diversity', 'disability', 'community', 'c2c', 'key', 'CMRC', 'united way')
Jun 23, 2024 12:00 PM 2024 Walk Around the World In partnership with IMAA, Walk Around the World celebrates the multicultural diversity that represents Olmsted County and celebrates the contributions that refugees and immigrants bring to the community. The event also recognizes World Refugee Day that occurs on June 20th. Join us for cultural performances, ethnic food, vendors, and cultural and community agency booths. This fun, FREE family event is on June 22, 2024, from 12-4pm with a rain date of June 23, 2024. There will be plenty of activities to keep your kids active and entertained! ('diversity', 'imaa', 'youth', 'Culture', 'education')
Jun 21, 2024 10:00 AM June 2024 Community Co-design We will offer a presentation to focus on the development and implementation of co-design projects (what happens after the formal co-design sessions). Then we will discuss your own experiences, challenges, and hopes for co-design development and implementation. ('CMRC', 'key')
Jun 20, 2024 05:00 PM PossAbilities: The Art of Theatre - Skills Class Skilled actress and theater director Amanda Leyawiin is partnering with PossAbilities for a fun night of improv and learning theatrical skills. ('diversity', 'disability', 'art', 'community')
Jun 19, 2024 02:00 PM NAACP: Juneteenth 2024 Virtual Edition – Launches Tomorrow at 2 PM ROCHESTER, Minn. — The Rochester Branch of the NAACP is excited to announce that it will be launching a virtual Juneteenth edition tomorrow on June 19th at 2 PM. This virtual edition that will be live on Rochester NAACP’s website provides an opportunity for all community members, and well as those who may have missed last Saturday’s 19th annual community celebration due to weather related concerns. ('diversity', 'community engagement')
Jun 19, 2024 09:30 AM Juneteenth Jubilee Breakfast Come join us for a morning of celebration and unity at the Empire Event Center. Start your day off right with a delicious breakfast spread. Juneteenth or “Freedom Day” is a day of recognition, restoration and celebration. ('diversity',)
Jun 16, 2024 01:00 PM Punch 9 for Harold Washington Feature Documentary Supported by the Office of the Mayor, Rochester City DEI, in partnership with the NAACP ('diversity', 'community', 'civic engagement', 'Diversity', 'NAACP')
Jun 15, 2024 12:00 PM Juneteenth 2024 Freedom Day-Love Wins Join us and the community for a fantastic fun filled family event with the community, sponsors, and community collaborators. Juneteenth is very important to the African American community and is a day to honor the emancipation of slavery back in 1865. ('diversity', 'Culture', 'NAACP')
Jun 13, 2024 06:00 PM Homes for Our Neighbors - What if we treated housing like a human right? In 2020, Olmsted County was forecast to need 18,000 additional units of housing by 2030. With higher growth due to Mayo Clinic’s expansion, the need will be even greater. Olmsted County is a leader in Minnesota for its commitment to locally-owned and -controlled housing. On June 13, come learn more about how Olmsted County is leading, and call on our county commissioners and local partners to dream even bigger to address our community’s urgent need for affordable, healthy, and climate-friendly homes. ('Housing', 'ISAIAH', 'key')
Jun 13, 2024 01:00 PM 2Q 2024 June Health HAPP Meeting Mobilizing Olmsted Voices for Equity (M.O.V.E.) Update, LGBTQIA+ Co-Design Work Discussion, 2024 CHAP Satisfaction Survey, Community Announcements and Sharing ('CHNA', 'community', 'Health/Wellness', 'Health', 'public sector work product', 'key', 'health work product')
Jun 13, 2024 08:00 AM 2024 Next Level Conference: TOGETHER, FASTER AND STRONGER Welcome to REIMAGINE, the annual gathering of professionals, experts, business owners, and thought leaders in the business sector. Our conference is a unique platform where people come together to exchange ideas, build networks, and foster lasting partnerships. This year’s inaugural event promises to be bigger and better than other events you’ve been to thus far, with an impressive lineup of keynote speakers, panel discussions, workshops, and ending with an expo. ('Education', 'Diversity', 'Entrepreneurship')
Jun 12, 2024 12:00 PM Investing in Community: Equitable Planning and Design Strategies in the Twin Cities and Beyond As Rochester continues to grow, how can equitable design and planning strategies be utilized to help communities realize the benefits of improvements that are happening in their communities? This presentation will speak to anti-displacement strategies being utilized in the Rondo neighborhood of St. Paul, MN, through the Reconnect Rondo initiative; equitable engagement strategies in Rochester and El Paso, and the way that culture and context can shape park design in Denton, TX. The presentation is intended to start a conversation about how Rochester can learn from these projects and other initiatives to achieve equitable and restorative development. ('DMC', 'Diversity', 'Housing', 'key', 'CMRC')
Jun 12, 2024 10:00 AM June, 2024 Coalition for Rochester Area Housing Alliance Topics: Opportunities the IRA has for home remodeling & building; City of Rochester goals, priorities, and Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funding initiatives; Local Case Study: John Hardy’s House ('RAF', 'housing', 'openbeam', '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
Winona State Adult & Continuing Education Jul 15, 2026 12:00 PM - 12:40 PM — Virtual
Healthy Brain Workshop 4: Sound Bowl Healing and Stress Management Jul 20, 2026 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM — 125 Live
In the City for Good: Rochester Mayor Candidate Forum Jul 21, 2026 06:30 PM - 08:30 PM — Christ United Methodist Church
Disability Summit Jul 24, 2026 09:00 AM - 12:30 PM — Commons Area at the Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) Heintz Center
6th Annual Rochester Community Back-to-School Party Aug 15, 2026 12:00 PM - 04:00 PM — Soldiers Field
Upcoming events…
Community News

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



City of Rochester Seeks Proposals for Sale and Redevelopment of Parcels

Jun, 2026 Planning commission supports planned infill project

Apr, 2026 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 June 27, 2026



Rochester International Relations Committee

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

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

General Info: Sister Cities Relationship Logs; IRC Meeting Logs

Last Updated June 22, 2026



Curriculum Development

Jun 2026: Social Studies Curriculum Three Shifts in the New Standards

Ethnic Studies Strand, Disciplinary Literacy Practices. Centering Student Inquiry

Last Updated June 18, 2026



Housing Program DevCo Rochester

Adopting a Resolution adopting the Housing Program, the issuance of Conduit Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds and the execution of related documents relating to the DevCo Rochester Apartments Project.

Last Updated June 14, 2026



Economic Development News

2026: Health tech firms status

2023 Highlights: 1. 2Q 2023  Economic Report ;  2. Tawonda Burks has joined the RAEDI staff full-time as Director of Operations. In addition to managing the RAEDI Economic Development Center; 3, SBDC 1H 2023 performance report

Last Updated June 13, 2026



Healthy Brain Workshop Series

 2026 Summer Workshop Series 

 

Last Updated June 08, 2026



University of Minnesota Expansion Funding Considerations

Jun 2026: City Council Voted to Approve the funding

May 2026: UMR DMC: Funding Request to contribute to Talent Development Infrastructure

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

Last Updated June 05, 2026



RPS Proposed Budget Reductions

Jun 2, 2026: School Board 2026 budget

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 June 04, 2026



1Q 2026 Announcements

Jun 2, 2026: #RochMNTogether Yard Sign Campaign

Jan 5, 2026: Resolution: Reaffirming Rochester’s Support for its Somali Community and Commitment to Inclusion.

2026 Summer Paid Internship Positions: City Clerk, community Development, Communications & Engagement, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Legislative Affairs, Library Communications, Office of the Mayor, Parks & Recreation , Public Music, Rochester Public Utilities Safety, and Transit & Parking.

 

 

Last Updated June 02, 2026



Sports Complex Phase Two Indoor Recreation Option and Next Steps

Jun 1, 2026 City Council Meeting: PB reporting

Apr 27,  2026 City Council Study Session

Last Updated May 31, 2026



Home Innovation Lab - Aging in Place

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 May 31, 2026



Sherman Mixed Housing Mayo Civic Center Parking Lot

May 2026 DMCC Board Meeting: Status Update

June 3, 2024 City Council Meeting 

Council action is requested to continue development negotiations with Sherman Associates and conditionally approve development assistance of up to $13,000,000 in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) assistance and up to $3,000,000 in DMC General State Infrastructure Aid.  

Last Updated May 24, 2026



Mayflower mixed housing project

May 2026:DMCC Board Meeting, Mayflower Project Update

Jul 2025 Mayflower mixed housing project summary; North side of Second Street Southwest across the street from Ronald McDonald House.

Feb 2025 DMCC Board Meeting 2nd Street Public Realm and Mayflower

Last Updated May 24, 2026



United Way Studies of Financial Hardship

2025 ALICE Info: United Way 2025 Study

2024 ALICE Info: Post Bulletin Reporting; United Way 2024 ALICE  (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Report 

Last Updated May 24, 2026



West Transit Village Housing Development

May 2026 DMCC Board Update

April 1 2026 AEON Affordable Housing Townhall

May 2025 DMCC Board Meeting Report

Feb 2025 DMCC Board Meeting Memo

PB reporting re Jan 6 City Council Meeting

"A final plan for dividing a 14.1-acre Mayo Clinic parking lot into developable sections is expected to be reviewed Monday by the Rochester City Council. The site, being dubbed “West Transit Village,” sits between Second Street Southwest and Cascade Lake. It is currently used as a Mayo Clinic employee shuttle lot, and Mayo Clinic plans to construct a 2,500-stall parking structure."

Last Updated May 24, 2026



Loom Apartments (Onward)

May 2026 DMCC Board Meeting: Status Update

Dec 2025 DMCC Board Meeting: Request for Extension Authorize an extension of the $4 million GSIA allocation to this project until August 15, 2026.

May 2025 DMCC Board Meeting

Last Updated May 24, 2026



DMC Interim Wayfinding

May 2026 DMCC Board Meeting

Last Updated May 23, 2026



Discovery Square Biolbab In Rochester

May 2026 DMCC Board Meeting: Biolabs Status

December 2025 DMCC Board Meeting:

  • Request for Action Memo
  • Business Development Quarterly Review about Biolabs

Last Updated May 22, 2026



Discovery Walk

May 2026 DMCC Board Meeting Discovery Walk Update - Completion

March 2021 DMCC approval for Bid

Last Updated May 22, 2026



DMC STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL

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

Last Updated May 22, 2026