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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
Mar 13, 2026 04:30 PM RALC Mural Night Through a partnership with the University of Minnesota, we are excited to host Artist Mindset Week (March 9-March 13) at the Rochester ALC! Ten professional artists will be traveling in from all over Minnesota ('mental health', 'art', 'UMR', 'key', 'Education')
Mar 12, 2026 07:30 AM 1Q 2026 County Health Assessment and Planning Partnership (HAPP) 2024 -2026 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) Updates Derrick Fritz, CHAP Coordinator3. Mental Health Clubhouse Model Laura Sutherland, SE MN Adult Mental Health Initiative and Michelle Cross, Community Member. Overdose Spike Response Team Abby Tricker, OCPHS5. Core Agency Updates CHAP Core Group6. Community Announcements and Sharing ('CHNA', 'mental health', 'Health', 'key', 'addiction')
Mar 11, 2026 12:00 PM Unlocking Potential: Lowering barriers, creating new pathways, and empowering emerging developers This presentation will review an evaluation report by the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund (GMHF) of Minnesota's efforts from 2021–2025 to pair Emerging Developer Programs with Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH) Preservation initiatives. ('city', 'dmc', 'diversity', 'Housing', 'key', 'community engagement')
Mar 11, 2026 10:00 AM Rochester Area Housing Alliance March 2026 Any Path Home Overview; TABLE Initiative Overview; Legislative Update – Minnesota Housing Partnership; $1.5 Million Coalition NOFA Released ('RAF', 'Housing', 'housing', 'key')
Mar 10, 2026 10:00 AM Mar 2026 RPS Family Engagement Our March meeting will focus on RPS Student and Family Wellbeing, with a presentation by Koni Grimsrud, RPS Director of Student Wellbeing, and Sarah Clarke, RPS Coordinator of Mental Health. They will share an overview of the programs, staff positions, initiatives, and resources currently supporting RPS students and families. We will also include brief highlights from RPS Family Engagement and share relevant announcements. ('RPS', 'education', 'diversity', 'mental health', 'health', 'key', 'Education')
Mar 03, 2026 06:00 PM Town Hall: Using Advanced Technology in Policing Mayor Norton Partners with Rochester Police Department to Host Town Hall on Advanced Policing Technology ('public safety', 'key', 'governance')
Mar 02, 2026 07:00 PM Citizens Commission on Immigration Ambassadors Immigration Discussion Reflect on how immigration connects to our own family and community stories; Examine the Constitution’s framework for the roles of Congress, the executive branch, and the courts; Connect to real-world experiences in Minnesota ('networking', 'diversity', 'civic engagement')
Feb 28, 2026 12:00 PM Black Excellence Expo For the Rochester Branch of the NAACP, achieving economic stability is a strategic priority. Initiatives like the Black Excellence Expo directly support this goal by uplifting local entrepreneurs, expanding opportunity, and strengthening our regional economy. ('diversity', 'education', 'NAACP', 'Entrepreneurship')
Feb 21, 2026 05:30 PM Ebony Night 2026: Once Upon A Night | Rochester Branch of the NAACP presents UMR Black Student Union The third event in the Black History Month Series, Ebony Night, is an all-student-led production by the University of Minnesota Rochester’s Black Student Union. ('NAACP', 'Diversity', 'UMR')
Feb 21, 2026 10:00 AM Homeownership and Wealth Building Workshop This workshop equips community members with practical tools and knowledge to pursue homeownership and build generational wealth. ('NAACP', 'housing', 'Diversity')
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')
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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
DMC 2026 Real Estate Development and Investment Summit (4/16/25) May 28, 2026 09:30 AM - 03:00 PM — Hilton Rochester Mayo Clinic Area 10 E Center Street
Braver Angels Minnesota: Common Ground Workshop Jun 06, 2026 01:00 PM - 05:00 PM — Rochester Public Library
Livingworks Asist Jun 11, 2026 - Jun 12, 2026 — Rochester Area Foundation- 12 Elton Hills Drive
Rochester's Sister City - German Trip Jun 12, 2026 - Jun 22, 2026
NAACP: Juneteenth Celebration Jun 13, 2026 12:00 PM - 05:00 PM — Soldiers Field Memorial Park
Upcoming events…
Community News

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



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.

Last Updated May 24, 2026



A Study 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 2025 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



University of Minnesota Expansion Funding Considerations

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 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



Healthy Home Helpers

City of Rochester Launches “Healthy Home Helpers” Program to Support Healthier, More Efficient Homes

Last Updated May 22, 2026



RPS 2030 Strategic Plan Reviews

May 19. 2026 RPS Board Voting

Apr 12, 2026 RPS Board Meeting: High School 

Mar 17, 2026 RPS Board Meeting: Middle School

Mar 3, 2026 RPS Board Meeting: Elementary School & Early Childhood 

Last Updated May 20, 2026



Does Rochester need a new entertainment venue?

A feasibility study is underway for a performing arts center, but what does the city already have?

Last Updated May 18, 2026



Age-Friendly Olmsted County (AFOC) Update

May 2026 AFOC Report

Last Updated May 12, 2026



Ambassadors for Equity and Belonging Program

Rochester Area Foundation is piloting a new type of cohort centered around the concept of “belonging” as a strategic framework,

Last Updated April 29, 2026



Any Path Home push against homelessness

Apr 23, 2026 In the City for Good Forum; Mar 11, 2026 Rochester Area Housing Alliance Discussion

Feb 5, 2025 Post Bulletin Reporting Abstract; Mar 10, 2024 City Council Study Session Update

 

Last Updated April 27, 2026



RCTC Sports Facilities

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

Last Updated April 26, 2026



Graham Park Exhibition Center Groundbreaking

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 April 24, 2026



Rochester Sports and Recreation Complex

Apr 24 PB Reporting: Bill on sports complex 

City Council Discussions:

  • Dec 8, 2025 City Council Meeting
  • Oct 6, 2025 City Council Meeting
  • July 28, 2025 City Council Study Session 

PB Summary; Sample of community feedbacks on Facebook

Last Updated April 24, 2026



America's City for Health (ACH)

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

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

 

Last Updated April 23, 2026