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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
Dec 07, 2025 03:00 PM NAACP: Hate Has No Place Here The Rochester Branch of the NAACP Stands With Our Somali Community ('diversity', 'NAACP', 'immigrant')
Dec 06, 2025 02:00 PM Rochester Cultural Center Grand Opening It is with great pleasure that we extend an invitation to you to join us in marking a significant milestone in our journey. We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of the Rochester Cultural Center, and we would be honored if you could be present to celebrate this momentous occasion with us. ('culture', 'diversity', 'CMRC', 'culture center')
Dec 04, 2025 05:30 PM Forum and Discussion on ‘Democracy Innovations for Better Public Meetings’ (Date changed to Dec 4) The event will provide residents the opportunity to learn more about the Democracy Innovations for Better Public Meetings project and provide feedback. This project is designed to make public meetings more engaging while strengthening connections between community members and local government. ('key', 'governance')
Nov 18, 2025 09:30 AM Nov 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')
Nov 15, 2025 05:00 PM NAACP 2025 Freedom Fund Banquet The 2025 Freedom Fund Banquet will feature two trailblazing leaders as keynote speakers: Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and Mayor Hollies Winston of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, the first Black mayors in their respective cities. Their historic achievements serve as powerful examples of progress and inspiration for our Rochester community. ('diversity', 'NAACP')
Nov 15, 2025 12:00 PM November 2025 Rochester – Headscarf Story Circle The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) is excited to host Headscarf Story Circle – a series of offerings that recognize the strength and resiliency of women. Join us for our first of three offerings in Rochester as we gather together through the shared connection of the headscarf and its complexity. ('education', 'diversity')
Nov 12, 2025 12:00 PM Meeting the Moment: Community Led Systems Change This session centers on translating community priorities into actionable systems change by activating state decision makers, partners, and advocates. ('city', 'rps', 'dmc', 'diversity', 'key', 'community engagement', 'Education')
Nov 12, 2025 10:00 AM Rochester Housing Alliance November 2025 Feature Presentation — Navigating Housing Development Challenges: Restoration Glen Speakers from Bear Creek Development & Three Rivers Community Action ✅ Spotlight — Inventory of Affordable & Accessible Rental Housing Presented by The Arc Minnesota Southeast Region ('RAF', 'housing', 'governance', 'openbeam', 'key')
Nov 11, 2025 09:30 AM Nov 2025 RPS Family Engagement Spotlight on Host Site: Overland Elementary Introductions and Welcome (10:00–10:10) • Highlight Topic: RPS Language Access, Interpretation Services, and Culturally Sustaining Family Engagement ('RPS', 'Education', 'diversity', 'key')
Oct 28, 2025 09:30 AM Oct 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')
Oct 24, 2025 05:30 PM IMAA Pearl Gala Annual Fundraiser 2025 United for Humanity: Building Bridges to Belonging ('imaa', 'diversity')
Oct 22, 2025 06:00 PM How to Start a Business - In English Training Topics: Accounting/Budget, Business Financing, Business Plan, Business Start-up/Preplanning, Legal Issues, Managing a Business, Marketing/Sales, Tax Planning Description: How to Start a Business from Scratch - Part 2: In the final classes, you will dive into the practical implementation of your business idea, addressing key aspects such as legal and financial structure, initial marketing strategies, and preparing to launch your venture into the market. Additionally, you will learn to establish basic accounting systems and financial management to ensure operational soundness from the outset. ('diversity', 'community engagement', 'Entrepreneurship')
Oct 21, 2025 01:00 PM 2025 Co-design Leadership Training Session 1 Option 2 We will cover how to evaluate co-design processes, share back insights from the mini-design sprint, and building on those insights discuss how to initiate a co-design project. ('diversity', 'dmc', 'co-design')
Oct 16, 2025 06:00 PM SBDC - Foundations of Effective Marketing Part 2 Marketing Success starts with clarity. Brand Identity. ('diversity', 'health', 'Diversity', 'Entrepreneurship')
Oct 10, 2025 08:30 AM Weaving a Wider Community Seeing and countering racism in our own backyard -- Key note speakers via Zoom: Jenna Grey Eagle, Dr. Ron Ferguson; Rochester Site Guest Speaker: Justin Terell ('diversity', 'Diversity', 'workforce')
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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
Rochester Area Housing Alliance March 2026 Mar 11, 2026 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM — Virtual Meeting
City of Rochester & RCTC Community Engagement Mar 11, 2026 04:30 PM - 06:30 PM — Sports Center (851 30 Ave SE)
1Q 2026 County Health Assessment and Planning Partnership (HAPP) Mar 12, 2026 07:30 AM - 09:00 AM — Virtual Meeting
RALC Mural Night Mar 13, 2026 04:30 PM - 06:30 PM — Rochester ALC - 37 Woodlake Dr. SE
Sketches Minnesota by HMC/Danger Boat Productions Mar 13, 2026 06:30 PM - 08:30 PM — Rochester Civic Theatre 30 Civic Center Drive SE Ste 100, Rochester, MN
Music Therapy and Cognitive Vitality: The Role of Music in Brain Health Mar 16, 2026 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM — 125 Live
Lotus Health Foundations at Kiwanis Day Maker Mar 17, 2026 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM — Charlie's Eatery and Pub, Hillcrest Shopping Center
Candidate Training Program Session 2 by Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce Mar 28, 2026 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM — Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce [220 Broadway Ave S. Suite 100 Rochester, MN 55904]
Lifestyle Medicine Community of Wellness Symposium & Gala 2026 Apr 09, 2026 - Apr 10, 2026 — Assisi Heights
RAVA 2026 Annual Spring Volunteer Fair Apr 15, 2026 09:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Upcoming events…
Community News

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



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 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



RPS 2030 Strategic Plan Design

Mar 3, 2026 RPS Board Meeting: Background Memo, Video Clip, Presentation 

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



2026 and 2025 Action Plan Updates

Feb 2026 Action Plan Update

Jan 2025 City of Rochester’s Action Plan, first implemented in 2021, serves as our roadmap for success. It outlines current initiatives aimed at advancing City Council's Strategic Priorities. 

Last Updated February 26, 2026



Downtown Historic District Investment

Feb 23, 2026 City Council Study Session 

DMCC Board Meeting Dec 10, 2025

  • Request Memo
  • Video Recording
  • Presentation 

Last Updated February 26, 2026



Olmsted County Press Release:

We are Water MN Traveling Exhibit Feb 25 thru Apr 20, 2026: A statewide partnership that deepens connections between Minnesotans

and the water we rely on.

Last Updated February 19, 2026



Rochester Area Volunteer Administration

2026: April 15 Volunteer Fair

2023: RAVA October 19 2023 Meeting Notes; RAVA Meeting Notes: 6/15/2023 featuring inclusive language and use of pronouns; 2. 2021 survey announcement 

2021: Survey

Last Updated February 18, 2026



DMC 2025 5 Year Plan Updates

Feb 5, 2026 DMC Board Meeting: Final DMC Plan Update

Dec 15, 2025 DMC Board Meeting  :Request for Action; Video Recording; Presentation';2025 5-year plan draft

References: Nov 2025 City Council Study Session Materials; Feb 2026 DMCC Annual Report

Last Updated February 10, 2026



MDH 2026 Announcements

MDH Regional Listening Sessions March 5, 2026 

Feb 2026 MDH Minnesota Health Equity Networks Newsletter

 

Last Updated February 07, 2026



Rochester as a Compassionate City

Feb 2, 2026 City Council Meeting

Council Initiated Action - Reaffirming Rochester as a Compassionate City

Last Updated February 03, 2026



2025 YE Housing Statistics

Jan 2026 Housing Alliance:

2025 Real Estate SEMN Marketing Data

2025 Coalition Investments

 

Last Updated February 02, 2026



RPS Family Engagement Opportunities

Jan 2026 Announcements

Family Engagement, Caregiver and Parent Empowerment 

Last Updated January 30, 2026



Community Health Improvement Plan Update

2026 CHNA Info: Jan 2026 Newsletter

2025 Community Health Needs Info: Admin Message, Oct 2025 Newsletter 

Ref: PB Report

Last Updated January 29, 2026



Black History Month Series of Events

Black History Month Press Releases: 

2026, 2025, 2024,

2023, 2022, 2021 

Last Updated January 28, 2026