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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 10, 2024 11:00 AM Black History Month - Renaissance of Black Arts in Rochester ('diversity', 'education', 'NAACP')
Feb 10, 2024 10:00 AM Introducing You to You A Free Self Discovery Workshop ('mental health', 'Diversity', 'MN Compass', 'Health', 'CMRC')
Feb 03, 2024 11:00 AM From "Waste to Wealth" to "African Nouveau" NAACP 2024 Black History Speaker Series ('diversity', 'NAACP', 'community')
Feb 01, 2024 09:30 AM Feb 1, 2024 DMCC Board Meeting Five year DMC Plan Heads Up, Shared Lab Spaces, Riverfront Small Area Plan 2.0, UMR developing human potential for healthcare industry, Bioech Hub, West Transit ('EDA', 'key', 'Entrepreneurship')
Jan 25, 2024 06:00 PM Financial Wellbeing: Strategies for building black wealth The Black Wealth Community Education Series is a free, virtual, and live resource for all while centering Black people and Black experiences. This series will cover topics such as economic justice, housing, health and healing, and more! This is a Black-centered space where the Open Road Fund prioritizes uplifting Black voices and safety. ('Diversity',)
Jan 19, 2024 05:30 PM 2024: The Year of Respect--Mission: Kick-Off We have two REMARKABLE guests plus a GREAT evening planned that will both bless and INSPIRE YOU. George Thompson back in the day was not allowed to attend High School with white students. Today George is one of Rochester's most respected citizens. To know George is to love the man...He is an INSPIRATION. Israel Rocha has an equally inspiring story. Within the past two years Israel went from a life long drug addict who was homeless to DRY, marrying his girl friend, uniting their family and 7 year old son PLUS gaining sobriety. His presence exudes valuing people of all kinds. The Rocha's now have an apartment and bless others. Other guests will lift your spirit as we talk about what will happen this year in 2024 Year of RESPECT. ('networking', 'key', 'civic engagement')
Jan 19, 2024 11:00 AM CMRC Interlock Meeting with RAEDI and SBDC/Rochester Introduce CMRC Purpose, Explore business case for CMRC and future collaboration potentials, ('CMRC', 'key')
Jan 17, 2024 03:30 PM City Council Study Session: Future Transformation in the city Potential for transformation throughout the city will be the topic of a two-part Rochester City Council discussion starting Wednesday. With Mayo Clinic planning a $5 billion investment with its “Bold. Forward. Unbound. in Rochester” initiative, city staff will be asking the council for direction amid continuing change in the city. ('key', 'governance')
Jan 15, 2024 08:30 AM January 2024 Annual MLK "We Have A Dream" Virtual Celebration The Rochester Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is hosting a slate of NAACP programming on Monday, January 15th, 2024, for MLK Day, and we invite the Rochester community to join us in celebrating the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ('NAACP', 'Diversity', 'Diversity Council')
Jan 10, 2024 12:00 PM Advancing Equity in the Built Environment 1. An overview of the City of Rochester’s and Destination Medical Center's adopted targeted business and workforce participation goals for 2024; 2. Equity in the Built Environment Program ('DMC', 'Diversity', 'Housing', 'key', 'CMRC')
Jan 10, 2024 10:00 AM January 10, 2024 Coalition for Rochester Area Housing Alliance (By Invitation) 2023 Real Estate Data and Permits in Review; Olmsted County Housing Programs Overview, MN Affordable Housing Summit Summary ('RAF', 'Housing', 'openbeam', 'key', 'housing')
Jan 09, 2024 10:00 AM RPS January 2024 Family Engagement Meeting Welcome: Meet parents and staff in person, enjoy refreshments (9:45-10:15) • Snapshot Spotlight on Host Site: Sunset Terrace Family Engagement Highlights (10:15-10:30) • Culturally responsive "Fostering Family Partnerships" interactive workshop led by Beth Martinez, Parent Advocate at Cradle to Career, and Khadija Ali, Parent Advisory Council Member and co-founder of Pamoja Women. (10:30-11:30) • Optional Tour of Sunset Terrace (11:30-11:45) ('RPS', 'diversity', 'rps', 'community', 'key', 'education')
Dec 19, 2023 02:00 PM Pop-Up Flu and Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic Pop-up Vaccination Clinic sponsored by Community Wellness Clinic, Chinese Community Center, Pandemic Responders, Homeland Health, Stay Safe MN. First 50 signups to get CDC incentive of $100. ('key', 'community health', 'cmrc', 'Covid')
Dec 14, 2023 07:30 AM 4Q 2023 December HAPP Meeting Improve health indicators definitions; Community Health Thoughts; 2021-2023 CHIP Recap; Collective Impacts; Mayo Clinic and OMG Updates ('CHNA', 'community', 'CHAP', 'Health', 'openbeam', 'key')
Dec 12, 2023 05:30 PM Chaunukah with Chabad of Southern Minnesota ('faith', 'Diversity', 'community')
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
MN Paid Leave Jun 04, 2026 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM — Rochester Cultural Center 1515 US-14, Rochester, MN 55904
Braver Angels Minnesota: Common Ground Workshop Jun 06, 2026 01:00 PM - 05:00 PM — Rochester Public Library
Co-Design as Civic Infrastructure Jun 10, 2026 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM — Zoom
Jun 2026 Coming to the Table Jun 10, 2026 05:30 PM - 07:00 PM — Rochester Public Libery
2Q 2026 County Health Assessment and Planning Partnership (HAPP) Jun 11, 2026 07:30 AM - 09:00 AM — Olmsted Medical Center (OMC)’s hospital (1650 4th St SE, Rochester, MN, 55904)
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
Preparing for a loan - Spanish Language Jun 13, 2026 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM — Rochester Cultural Center 1515 US-14, Rochester, MN 55904
NAACP: Juneteenth Celebration Jun 13, 2026 12:00 PM - 05:00 PM — Soldiers Field Memorial Park
2026 Juneteenth Community Celebration Jun 13, 2026 12:00 PM - 05:00 PM — Soldier's Field Memorial Park
Upcoming events…
Community News

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



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



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 2023-2025 Action Plan  Report Report

Apr 2025 Aging in Place Action Update

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