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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 17, 2026 04:30 PM Ready to Lead 2026 Spring Cohort Ready to Lead brings together a small group of people to teach the basics of how to participate in and lead meetings ('diversity', 'Civic Equity', 'leadership', 'networking', 'community engagement')
Feb 15, 2026 02:30 PM Chinese New Year Celebration Gala Chinese New Year Celebration Gala is a primary annual event of gathering in Rochester Chinese community. The purpose of the event is to celebrate the biggest Chinese holiday, carry forward the Chinese culture and promote the merge with the multiple cultures in Rochester. Usually there are about 600 people attending this event, including Chinese and other ethnics. Stage shows will feature many exciting performances such as singing, dancing, poems, sketch, dramas, instrument playing, and more, mostly with Chinese cultural and artistic style. During the stage show time, we will also have lottery to have some surprising prizes. ('diversity', 'culture', 'Diversity', 'key')
Feb 11, 2026 12:00 PM When Calendars Reflect Community Faith, Equity, and Public Education Are you seeking to enhance engagement in your school or organization? Discover how Hopkins Public Schools broke down barriers to full participation by creating and adopting an equitable calendar. ('city', 'rps', 'dmc', 'diversity', 'key', 'community engagement', 'Education')
Feb 11, 2026 10:00 AM Rochester Area Housing Alliance Feb 2026 Topics include: Natural Gas Franchise Fee --The City of Rochester is looking at whether to create a natural gas franchise fee. This fee could help fund programs that support the community and help the City make smart, long-term investments. ('RAF', 'Housing', 'housing', 'key')
Feb 09, 2026 11:00 AM Part 1: Immigration Justice is Public Health Background and context on immigration, authoritarianism, abolition, and public health; introduction to HIP's Immigration Justice Guide; discussion of actions you can take in your agency and community ('diversity', 'Diversity Council', 'community health', 'Diversity', 'Education')
Feb 06, 2026 06:00 PM Pulitzer Finalist Lee Hawkins--Author of I Am Nobody’s Slave Join us for this year’s premier Black History Month event featuring Lee Hawkins, Pulitzer Prize finalist, former Wall Street Journal writer, and 2026 NAACP Image Awards Nominee who is coming to Rochester, Minnesota from New York. This event is free but seating is limited so free registration is required. ('NAACP', 'Diversity')
Feb 03, 2026 10:00 AM Feb 2026 RPS Family Engagement Our focus for February is Supporting Parent, Caregiver, Family, and Staff Wellbeing: an Experiential Workshop, presented by Haeli Gerardy. Haeli is the Family Engagement Specialist and Certified Parenting Coach at Fernbrook, which is a partner with RPS School-Linked Mental Health. ('RPS', 'education', 'diversity', 'key', 'Education')
Jan 27, 2026 09:30 AM Jan 2026 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')
Jan 23, 2026 07:00 PM Poetry Night Join us for a night in community celebrating poetry! ('griot', 'Culture', 'diversity')
Jan 14, 2026 12:00 PM Equity Alliance Equity Series Rochester Cultural Center The Rochester Cultural Center is a premier adult daycare facility dedicated to serving the diverse needs of our community. Our mission is to provide a safe and stimulating social environment that fosters a sense of belonging and prolongs the lives of our clients. By offering a wide range of activities and programs, we aim to promote physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being among our participants. ('city', 'rps', 'dmc', 'diversity', 'key', 'community engagement', 'Education')
Jan 14, 2026 10:00 AM Rochester Area Housing Alliance Jan 2026 Topics include: 2025 End of Year Real Estate Stats Review; Olmsted County and Rochester Highlights; Coalition 2025 Investments & Impact ('RAF', 'Housing', 'housing', 'key')
Jan 13, 2026 10:00 AM Jan 2026 RPS Family Engagement RPS 5Essentials Survey; Helping Students Thrive: Supporting Positive Behavior Together ('RPS', 'education', 'diversity', 'key', 'Education')
Jan 08, 2026 07:15 AM 2026 Mayor's State of the City Mayor Norton, joined by City, Olmsted County and Rochester Public Schools leaders, will reflect on the past year and share priorities and initiatives for 2026. The event will also feature the City’s annual Year in Review video highlighting key accomplishments and milestones from 2025. ('city state', 'city', 'key')
Dec 17, 2025 05:00 PM Holiday Potluck Hosted by Pata de Perro and ACHLA Join us with your family and be part of our holiday celebration and check out our state-of-the-art bike repair facility. If you can bring a dish to share, please sign up using the link below. ('ACHLA', 'diversity')
Dec 16, 2025 09:30 AM Dec 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')
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
Youth Co-Design Lab Aug 13, 2026 02:00 PM - 04:10 PM — Two Discovery Square, 415 2nd Ave SW, Rochester, MN
6th Annual Rochester Community Back-to-School Party Aug 15, 2026 12:00 PM - 04:00 PM — Soldiers Field
Townhall: Getting Around Town Aug 20, 2026 06:00 PM - 07:30 PM — John Marshall High School cafeteria (1510 14th St. NW)
Sep 2026 RPS Family Engagement Sep 08, 2026 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM — Virtual
America: 250 and Beyond Oct 24, 2026 06:00 PM - 08:30 PM — Mystic Lake Center in Prior Lake
Upcoming events…
Community News

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



OpenBeam events log

Aug 2026 Notable Beam Events Log

Last Updated August 13, 2026



City Council and Mayor-Better Public Hearing Meeting

Aug 10, 2026 Study Session: Video, Presentation, Reports

Feb 9, 2026 Study Session: Report, Video, Presentation; Summarizing interviews, survey responses, scorecard and public forum 

Last Updated August 11, 2026



2026 City of Rochester: 2020 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Updates

Aug 10, 2026 City Council Study Session :The accompanying reports and presentation demonstrate how departments are integrating equity into their everyday work.   

Last Updated August 09, 2026



CHATEAU THEATRE OPERATING ANALYSIS UPDATE

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 August 09, 2026



Air Quality News

Aug 2026: Rochester Air Quality Alliance Marks Mid-Year Progress on Community Air Quality Initiatives

Sep 2025: The City of Rochester is offering another set of workshops to help residents improve indoor air quality, reduce utility costs, and enhance housing safety.

Last Updated August 07, 2026



Community Health Improvement Plan Priorities and Updates

2027 - 2029 Health Planning Improvement Priorities

2026 CHNA Newsletters: Jul 2026Jan 2026, 

2025 Newsletters: Admin Message, Oct 2025 Newsletter 

Ref: PB Report

Last Updated July 23, 2026



Housing as an Element of America's City for Health

Jul 2026: PB reporting -- Downtown population and housing boom

Sep 2025: DMC Housing Presentation at Rochester Housing Alliance September, 2025 Meeting 

  • Video Recording
  • Presentation Slides

Last Updated July 21, 2026



America's City for Heath and Older Adults Needs

Jul 2026: AARP Tech and Agining 

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 July 20, 2026



Lifestyle Wellness

Jul 2026: Brain Health Series Workshops

Apr 2026: Rochester Mayor Proclamation 

March 2020: Rochester Mayor Proclamation  

Lotus Health Foundation Workshops 

Last Updated July 17, 2026



Sports Complex Phase 2 - Indoor Facilities

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 July 14, 2026



RPS Long Term Technology Plan

July 7, 2026 RPS Board Meeting: The Long Range Technology Plan (LRTP) serves as a comprehensive roadmap, defining the strategic direction for technology deployment and technical support within the district over the next three to five years.

Last Updated July 10, 2026



America's City for Health (ACH)

Jul 2026 PB Op Ed on America's City for Health and Wellness 

May 2026: DMC University Trademark Handling -The DMCC holds several DMC-related trademarks, including “Destination Medical Center,” “Discovery Square,” and “America’s City for Health.” 

References: Reimagine what can be done to fulfill the vision of ACH -- info LINKS

Last Updated July 09, 2026



Silver Lake Stadium Concept

The Rochester City Council has unanimously approved a six-month exclusive negotiation agreement with Madison-based Landmark Development to explore a potential sports-focused redevelopment of the Silver Lake Power Plant site.

Last Updated July 08, 2026



Mayo Clinic Bold. Forward. Unbound.Grainger Linear Park

Jul 6, 2026 City Council Lourdes Grainger Linear Park The project involves the construction of a 30-foot linear park

Last Updated July 07, 2026



Peace Plaza paver adjustment plan

Jul 6, 2026 City Council Meeting Paver Improvement

2025: City Council Study Session PB Reporting; DMCC Board Meeting Proceedings; Public Media Reporting: Post Bulleting, Star Tribune

 

Last Updated July 07, 2026



Sherman Mixed Housing Mayo Civic Center Parking Lot

July 6, 2026: City Council Meeting - Extension of agreement

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 July 06, 2026



Rochester Transit Contract Award

Jul 6, 2026 City Council Meeting: Action Requested: Adopting a Resolution awarding a contract and facilities lease with Via Transit Twin Cities LLC for operating Rochester's public transportation system.

Last Updated July 06, 2026



Co-design Information

Jun 20, 2026 Co-Design as Civic Infrastructure Video Recording and Presentation

Co-Design as Structural Accountability White Paper

 

Last Updated July 02, 2026



City of Rochester Housing Enablement

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.

Reference: AI Analysis of Infill Strategy

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