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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 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')
Jan 17, 2024 03:30 PM City Council Study Session: Future Transformation in the city Potential for transformation throughout the city will be the topic of a two-part Rochester City Council discussion starting Wednesday. With Mayo Clinic planning a $5 billion investment with its “Bold. Forward. Unbound. in Rochester” initiative, city staff will be asking the council for direction amid continuing change in the city. ('key', 'governance')
Jan 15, 2024 08:30 AM January 2024 Annual MLK "We Have A Dream" Virtual Celebration The Rochester Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is hosting a slate of NAACP programming on Monday, January 15th, 2024, for MLK Day, and we invite the Rochester community to join us in celebrating the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ('NAACP', 'Diversity', 'Diversity Council')
Jan 10, 2024 12:00 PM Advancing Equity in the Built Environment 1. An overview of the City of Rochester’s and Destination Medical Center's adopted targeted business and workforce participation goals for 2024; 2. Equity in the Built Environment Program ('DMC', 'Diversity', 'Housing', 'key', 'CMRC')
Jan 10, 2024 10:00 AM January 10, 2024 Coalition for Rochester Area Housing Alliance (By Invitation) 2023 Real Estate Data and Permits in Review; Olmsted County Housing Programs Overview, MN Affordable Housing Summit Summary ('RAF', 'Housing', 'openbeam', 'key', 'housing')
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