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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 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')
Dec 11, 2025 07:30 AM 4Q 2025 County Health Assessment and Planning Partnership (HAPP) 1. Welcome 2. Youth LGBTQIA2S+ Coalition Talor Gray and Katie Hackman, OCPHS 3. CHAP Newsletter Discussion All 4. Core Agency Updates CHAP Core Group 5. Community Announcements and Sharing ('CHNA', 'Health', 'key')
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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
April 2026 Equity Alliance Equity Series Apr 08, 2026 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Lifestyle Medicine Community of Wellness Symposium 2026 Apr 09, 2026 - Apr 10, 2026 — Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive SE, Rochester, MN 55904
Lifestyle Medicine Community of Wellness Gala 2026 Apr 09, 2026 - Apr 10, 2026 — Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive SE, Rochester, MN 55904
RAVA 2026 Annual Spring Volunteer Fair Apr 15, 2026 09:30 AM - 12:30 PM
ELECTRIC POWER WILL THERE BE ENOUGH IN 2030 – 2035 – 2040? Apr 20, 2026 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM — 125 Live
HOUSING THE UNHOUSED ROCHESTER HOUSING UPDATE FORUM Apr 23, 2026 07:00 PM - 08:30 PM — Christ United Methodist Church, 400 5th Av SW
2026 Cambodian New Year Celebration Apr 25, 2026 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM — 4462 29th ST SE | Rochester, MN 55904
Rochester's Sister City - German Trip Jun 12, 2026 - Jun 22, 2026
Upcoming events…
Community News

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



Rochester International Relations Committee

2026 Winter Newsletter; Sister City Visits Germany Visit

2025 Sister City Trips: Japan 

Rochester Sister City Application (Roles and Responsibilities)

Sister Cities Relationship Logs

IRC Meeting Logs

Last Updated April 02, 2026



Healthy Living Wellness Tips

2026: KTTC: Midwest Access Video Clips

2025 Sep Newsletter; 2025 Conference Materials

2020 Lifestyle Medicine Symposium (March 19-20)

Last Updated April 02, 2026



DMC Private Investment Status

 Annual Report to DEED Prep 

  • Mar 2026 DMCC Exec Committee Meeting - Video Recording, PB Reporting - Private Investment Status
  • Mar 2025: DMCC Exec Committee Briefing " Overall private investment related to the Destination Medical Center initiative bounced back in 2024, but non-Mayo Clinic development continued to decline in the DMC district for the sixth year."

Last Updated March 31, 2026



West Transit Village Housing Development

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 March 25, 2026



County of Olmsted, MN Resident Surveys

2025: Park and Rec Survey Results

2022: High-level results from the Olmsted County 2022 Resident Survey were shared at the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday, July 19, 2022.

Last Updated March 23, 2026



ADA Public Input

Olmsted County is inviting community members to review and provide feedback on a draft update to its Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act Transition Plan for public right-of-way.

Last Updated March 20, 2026



Community Ed and Parks & Rec Survey

The survey asks residents about their current participation in recreation programs, how they learn about activities, and what types of programs or opportunities they would like to see offered in the future.

Last Updated March 20, 2026



Chamber of Commerce 2026 Case for Investment

Request for Investment to Olmsted County Board March 3 2026

Video Clip, Presentation Slides, Whitepaper

Last Updated March 18, 2026



Olmsted County Health Focus Topics

1Q 2026 HAPP Meeting Features:

Overdose SPIKE

Mental Health Club House

Last Updated March 17, 2026



RPS 2030 Strategic Plan Reviews

Mar 17, 2026 RPS Board Meeting: Middle School

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

Last Updated March 17, 2026



Rochester Learning Center Mural Night

UMR and ALC Collaboration Research Study Introduction

The Artist Mindset Research Study

 

Last Updated March 14, 2026



City SUPPORTING TRANSFORMATION - BOLD. Forward. Unbound.

City Council Study Session:

Mar 2026 Video Recording, Presentation

Feb 2025 Video Recording Link, Presentation, Collaboration Commitment

Last Updated March 10, 2026



America's City for Heath and Older Adults Needs

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 March 09, 2026



Braver Angels News

Listen to (and learn from) the other side

  • 2026 - Mar 6 Volunteer Opportunities, Feb Citizens Commission on Immigration Outreach
  • 2025, 24 - Mar 2025 Newsletters: End birthright citizenship? Apr 2024 Braver Angels Newsletter: 2024 National Convention; National Debate: Should we be colorblind?

 

Last Updated March 06, 2026



2025-26 RPS Superintendent Goals Check

Feb 3 2026 Superintendent Goals - Midyear Review: 

  • Video Clip
  • Talking Points 

Last Updated March 04, 2026



Development Assistance Agreement Relating to the Citywalk Apartments for Tax Increment Financing

Mar 2, 2026: Rochester Economic Development Authority 

Approving and Authorizing the Execution of Development Assistance Agreement (Citywalk Project)

Last Updated March 03, 2026



Downtown Mobility Network

Mar 2 2025 City Council: Memo, Video, Presentation

Sep 2025 Press Release: City of Rochester Launches “Reimagining Sixth Avenue W” to Reconnect Downtown Mobility Network

Last Updated March 03, 2026



Public Office Candidate Trainings

Two sets of candidates training programs: 

1. Ready to Run: Community Partners Training: March 11, March 25, April 1

2. Chamber of Commerce Sponsored Training: March 7, March 28 

Last Updated February 28, 2026



City Council and Mayor-Better Public Hearing Meeting

Feb 9, 2026 Study Session: Report, Video, Presentation

Summarizing interviews, survey responses, scorecard and public forum 

Last Updated February 27, 2026



Hope at Home

Nearly $60,000 has been distributed to help prevent evictions

The Hope at Home Fund, created by Family Promise Rochester

Last Updated February 26, 2026