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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
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')
Jun 04, 2024 04:00 PM June 2024 United Way BIPOC Leaders Panel and Small Group Conversation Join other BIPOC individuals to learn about ways to get involved in our community! BIPOC Leaders Panel and Small Group Conversation ('Diversity', 'compassion', 'key', 'civic engagement', 'CMRC', 'united way')
May 30, 2024 04:30 PM CMRC May 2024 Meeting Confirmed Topics CMRC Updates, PossAbilities DEI Outreach; C2C free FAFSA CBO support, United Way DEI Panel Convening; Potential Topic: Olmsted County Mobilizing Olmsted Voices for Equity (M.O.V.E.) ('diversity', 'disability', 'community', 'c2c', 'key', 'CMRC', 'united way')
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Filed under: key

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
Cascade Lake Park: Celebrate New Public Art Installations with Artist Cassandra Buck Sep 07, 2025 01:00 PM - 05:00 PM — Address: 88 23rd Avenue SW in Rochester
Public Hearing 2 - Rochester 2040 Comprehensive Plan Sep 08, 2025 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM — Rochester Public Utilities’ Community Room (4000 East River Road NE, Rochester)
Virtual Event – Local and Statewide Affordable Housing Aid: Case Studies Sep 09, 2025 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM — Virtual
3Q 2025 County Health Assessment and Planning Partnership (HAPP) Sep 11, 2025 07:30 AM - 09:00 AM — Olmsted Medical Center
SBDC - Financial Literacy Sep 16, 2025 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM — SBDC Offices
Hispanic Business Resource & Networking Event Sep 17, 2025 05:00 PM - 07:30 PM — 221 1st Ave. SW, 6th Floor, Rochester, MN
2025 Destination Medical Center Annual Meeting Sep 18, 2025 04:00 PM - 07:00 PM — Chateau Theater and Peace Plaza
Latino Fest Gala Sep 19, 2025 06:00 PM - 09:00 PM — Chateau Theatre
Latino Fest 2025 Sep 20, 2025 12:00 PM - 07:00 PM — Chateau Theater (Peace Plaza)
(Spanish) How to Start a Business from Scratch Sep 23, 2025 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM — 221 First Ave SW, Suite 600 6th Floor of the MNBio Business Center, Rochester MN 55902-3295
Upcoming events…
Community News

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



Registration for the 2025 A Litter Bit Better Fall Cleanup

September 3, 2025 - ROCHESTER, MINN. – Registration is now open for the third annual A Litter Bit Better fall cleanup, continuing the effort to keep Rochester litter-free year-round. Litter collection in the fall helps prevent it from being trapped under the snow, reducing the amount of litter we see in the spring. 

Last Updated September 04, 2025



Start-up Funds for International Relates Committee

Request to approve $20,000 contingency to create a start-up funding for the International Relations Committee. 

Adjacent work streams

Last Updated September 04, 2025



Volunteer as a Community Grant Reviewer

Rochester Area Foundation (RAF) is seeking a diverse team of community reviewers to assist in reviewing nonprofit applications for our Better Communities Grants. 

Last Updated September 03, 2025



The 6th Street Sessions

Press Release: A series of conversations designed to dig into the components of 6th Street Bridge, Neighborhood Safety and Riverside Improvement project.

Last Updated September 03, 2025



2025 Maxfield Report and 2024 Housing Coalition Investments

2025 Maxfield Report and Reporting

May 2025 Reporting on 2024 Investments: $8,491,000 supporting 11 projects totaling over $77M

Reference: Gemini Generated 2020-25 Maxfield Comparison Report

Last Updated September 02, 2025



City of Rochester 2026-2027 Budget Planning

Sep 3, 2025 Study Session;  Aug 25, 2025 Study Session; Press Release; 

June 23, 2025 Study Session: 2026 Capital Improvement Plan & Outside Agency Funding Budget Update

May 27, 2025 City Council Study Session ; Apr 28, 2025 City Council Study Session Materials

Press Release: The City of Rochester is beginning its 2026-2027 budget process and invites residents to learn more about the factors shaping the City’s financial outlook.

Last Updated September 01, 2025



2024-2025 RPS Data Analysis

2024-25 Fastbridge Data Analysis and Literacy Plan Update

PB reporting on MCA

Last Updated August 30, 2025



RPS 2025 Strategic Planning Updaters

Superintendent Goals

Strategic Planning Updaters

"Rochester Public Schools kicks off rebranding effort to gain an edge in a ‘competitive environment”

Last Updated August 30, 2025



SBDC Training Fall 2025

SBDC Admin Message; More About SBDC

Trainings: How to start a business, Financial Planning, Marketing

SBDC Hispanic Networking 

Last Updated August 29, 2025



Democracy Innovation Engagement Study

Aug 18, 2025 City Council Meeting Passed Resolution: Improve civic engagement and recognize the National Civic League's "Better Public Meetings" project as a valuable opportunity for the community to explore a diverse set of ways to connect with residents.  

Last Updated August 19, 2025



Aug 18, 2025 City Council Study Session and Council Meeting Topics

2040 City Action Plan

DMC Plan 5 Year Plan Update

Democracy Innovation 

Last Updated August 18, 2025



PS2 Comprehensive Plan - Five-Year Update

Aug 2025 P2S Public Review

Apr 14, 2025 City Council Study Session: PS2 Comprehensive Plan - Five-Year Update

Last Updated August 18, 2025



Rochester Mayor Communications

Aug 2025 Videos; Apr 2025 Mayor's YouTube Rochester Voices Channel ;  Mar 2025: City of Rochester Mayor Kim Norton to attend the National League of Cities (NLC) 2025 Congressional City Conference in Washington, D.C. from March 8-12, 2025.; City of Rochester Mayor Kim Norton to attend the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) 93rd Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C.

Last Updated August 08, 2025



LINK - Bus Rapid Transit New Budget Increase

DMCC Special Board Meeting July 22, 2025 Approving Budget Increase

City Council July 20, 2025 New Budget Increase: A nearly $73.2 million contract for construction of key elements of Rochester’s Link Bus Rapid Transit project is spurring a call for added transit aid.

2025-08-08 Updated to include PB articles

Last Updated August 08, 2025



2025 Race to Lead Survey

Building Movement 2025 Race to Lead Survey Announcement:

This survey is intended for individuals who currently work for pay at nonprofit organizations based in the U.S. or U.S. territories. Those in unpaid, volunteer or advisory roles will not meet eligibility. 

Last Updated August 06, 2025



2024-25 RPS Positive Behavior Data Review

July 15, 2025 RPS Board Updates

AI Summary of data

PB Editorial

Last Updated August 02, 2025



Graham Park Exhibition Center Groundbreaking

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 August 01, 2025



Rochester Sports and Recreation Complex

July 28, 2025 City Council Study Session 

Sample of community feedbacks on Facebook

Last Updated July 26, 2025



RPS 5 Year Budget Reduction Strategy

RPS Board Presentation July 15, 2025 

AI generated summary of budget reduction strategy 

Last Updated July 16, 2025



Future Development of Graham Park

OLMSTED COUNTY Commissioners to review exhibition center construction contracts

PB Editorial - Need to include Seneca Site and County/City planning together

PB Reporting on background of the project including engaging local governments 

 

Last Updated July 15, 2025