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MPR Presents MN Diverse Communities Lunch and Learn

When Oct 12, 2021
from 12:00 PM to 01:00 PM
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MPR Presents MN Diverse Communities Lunch and Learn

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12
Show | 12pm

Want to know what Indigenous Minnesotans think of the state’s cultural amenities? Or what Hmong Minnesotans think about the state’s courts? Or what Latinx Minnesotans think of public schools? Or how Black Minnesotans finances have changed over the pandemic?

 This past summer the APM Research Lab conducted the “Minnesota’s Diverse Communities Survey,” to address these questions and much more. MPR News has reported on some of the results, but there are many more stories to be told!

 We hope that the survey can be a resource for media outlets and others throughout the state. We hope that survey results can serve as a jumping off point for broader and deeper conversations about the experiences of different racial and ethnic groups in Minnesota.

 Come to this session to learn more about the results of the survey and how you might use the survey in your reporting or related work.

PRESENTERS

Craig Helmstetter, Managing Partner, APMG Research Lab

Craig Helmstetter leads the Research Lab, directing the overall agenda and developing new projects, as well as providing hands-on analysis and reporting. Craig joined American Public Media from Wilder Research. His 16 years there included helping to establish and then lead the Minnesota Compass initiative.

Craig is a graduate of Luther College and received both a master’s degree in Community and Regional Planning and a PhD in Sociology from the University of Oregon, where he focused on quantitative methods, survey research, public opinion, political psychology, and social stratification.

Benjamin Clary, Senior Research Analyst

Benjamin Clary joined the Lab through the Mellon/ACLS Public Fellows program, which competitively awards recent humanities PhDs two-year positions at partnering non-academic organizations. Benjamin earned a doctoral degree in comparative literature from Emory University and also holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Kenyon College. Previously Benjamin served as a research specialist with the Nature of Evidence Initiative at Emory, which deepens students’ engagement with research and evidence within and between disciplines.

Filed under: MPR, Diversity

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

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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