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Diversity, Inclusion & Welcoming Events

 

 

 

Start Date Title Description Tags
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 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')
Oct 09, 2025 06:00 PM SBDC - Foundations of Effective Marketing Part 1 Marketing Success starts with clarity. Brand Identity. ('diversity', 'health', 'Diversity', 'Entrepreneurship')
Oct 08, 2025 12:00 PM From Cradle to Career: Driving Lasting Change for Rochester's Youth Cradle 2 Career is a community-wide initiative focused on improving educational outcomes for every child and young adult in Rochester by reimagining how organizations work together. Through data-driven strategies and cross-sector partnerships, we bring together schools, nonprofits, businesses, and families to work collectively toward measurable results. In this talk, I’ll share how our initiative functions, highlight the dedicated work groups driving our progress, and explore the impact of our collaborative approach. ('city', 'rps', 'dmc', 'diversity', 'key', 'community engagement', 'Education')
Oct 07, 2025 12:00 PM 2025 Co-design Leadership Training Session 1 Option 1 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 07, 2025 10:00 AM Oct 2025 RPS Family Engagement Preparing Each and Every RPS Student for Success: Essential Information for Families, led by Heather Hogen (RPS Director of Academic Supports) and Alex Higano (Lead School Counselor). ('RPS', 'Education', 'diversity', 'key')
Sep 23, 2025 06:00 PM (Spanish) How to Start a Business from Scratch Training Topics: Accounting/Budget, Business Plan, Business Start-up/Preplanning, Legal Issues, Managing a Business, Marketing/Sales, Tax Planning Description: How to Start a Business from Scratch - Part 1: In the first two classes, you will learn the fundamentals of starting a business from scratch, including conceptualizing viable business ideas and initial strategic planning. The focus will be on generating innovative ideas and evaluating their market potential using tools like the Business Model Canvas and SWOT analysis. ('networking', 'diversity', 'Entrepreneurship')
Sep 23, 2025 09:30 AM Sep 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')
Sep 20, 2025 12:00 PM Latino Fest 2025 This vibrant celebration will take place both inside the Historic Chateau Theater and outdoors at the Peace Plaza, promising an unforgettable experience for all! Last year, Latino Fest brought over 3,000 people together in celebration. Please join us again in 2025 ('ACHLA', 'culture', 'Diversity', 'key')
Sep 19, 2025 06:00 PM Latino Fest Gala ELEVATE YOUR LATIN EXPERIENCE Join us for an unforgettable evening of Glamour, fine dining, delightful entertainment, and support our Latino Community. ('Culture', 'diversity')
Sep 17, 2025 05:00 PM Hispanic Business Resource & Networking Event Join us for an evening of networking and resources designed to support Hispanic small business owners. ('diversity', 'Entrepreneurship')
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
Rochester's Sister City - German Trip Jun 12, 2026 - Jun 22, 2026
2026 Juneteenth Jubilee Breakfast Jun 19, 2026 09:30 AM - 11:30 AM — Empire Event Center.
Bike to Work (or Anywhere!) Day Returns June 23 Jun 23, 2026 06:30 AM - 09:00 AM
ROCHESTERFEST 2026 Jun 23, 2026 - Jun 27, 2026 — Soldiers Field
Bush Fellowship Information Session Jun 23, 2026 04:30 PM - 06:00 PM — United Way of Southeast Minnesota Services Building at 903 West Center St, Suite 100, Rochester, MN
S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K Workshop SMIF & A Chance to Grow Jul 14, 2026 - Jul 16, 2026
Healthy Brain Workshop 4: Sound Bowl Healing and Stress Management Jul 20, 2026 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM — 125 Live
Disability Summit Jul 24, 2026 09:00 AM - 12:30 PM — Commons Area at the Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) Heintz Center
6th Annual Rochester Community Back-to-School Party Aug 15, 2026 12:00 PM - 04:00 PM — Soldiers Field
Upcoming events…
Community News

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



Housing Program DevCo Rochester

Adopting a Resolution adopting the Housing Program, the issuance of Conduit Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds and the execution of related documents relating to the DevCo Rochester Apartments Project.

Last Updated June 14, 2026



Economic Development News

2026: Health tech firms status

2023 Highlights: 1. 2Q 2023  Economic Report ;  2. Tawonda Burks has joined the RAEDI staff full-time as Director of Operations. In addition to managing the RAEDI Economic Development Center; 3, SBDC 1H 2023 performance report

Last Updated June 13, 2026



Healthy Brain Workshop Series

 2026 Summer Workshop Series 

 

Last Updated June 08, 2026



University of Minnesota Expansion Funding Considerations

Jun 2026: City Council Voted to Approve the funding

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 June 05, 2026



RPS Proposed Budget Reductions

Jun 2, 2026: School Board 2026 budget

April 21, 2026: School Board Meeting Revised Proposed Leadership Changes 

April 7, 2026: Budget Reduction Impact

Sep 12, 2023 RPS Board Study Session video recording; Proposed Equity Policy; PB Reporting

Last Updated June 04, 2026



1Q 2026 Announcements

Jun 2, 2026: #RochMNTogether Yard Sign Campaign

Jan 5, 2026: Resolution: Reaffirming Rochester’s Support for its Somali Community and Commitment to Inclusion.

2026 Summer Paid Internship Positions: City Clerk, community Development, Communications & Engagement, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Legislative Affairs, Library Communications, Office of the Mayor, Parks & Recreation , Public Music, Rochester Public Utilities Safety, and Transit & Parking.

 

 

Last Updated June 02, 2026



Sports Complex Phase Two Indoor Recreation Option and Next Steps

Jun 1, 2026 City Council Meeting: PB reporting

Apr 27,  2026 City Council Study Session

Last Updated May 31, 2026



Home Innovation Lab - Aging in Place

May 2026: Home Innovation Lab Open House

Dec 2025 DMCC Board Meeting: The Home Innovation Lab will combine research, technology, and design to create and evaluate “tech-enabled age-in-place” living environments that improve health, comfort, and independence for older adults.

Apr 2025 DMC Real Estate Summit: Aging in place talk

Last Updated May 31, 2026



Sherman 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.

Feb 2025 DMCC Board Meeting 2nd Street Public Realm and Mayflower

Last Updated May 24, 2026



United Way Studies 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 2026 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



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