You are here: Home / Community Activities / 26th Annual MLK "We Have A Dream" Virtual Celebration

26th Annual MLK "We Have A Dream" Virtual Celebration

Join the Rochester Branch NAACP, Diversity Council, and the Rochester Area Chamber for the 27th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "We Have a Dream" virtual community celebration!
When Jan 17, 2022
from 08:00 AM to 09:30 AM
Add event to calendar Outlook/Android
Apple iPhone/iPad
Add to Google Calendar Add to Google Calendar

 

Register here: https://bit.ly/31Zv0ug
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We Have a Dream Celebration is an annual community event held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to commemorate the life and work of Dr. King.
Featured Keynote Speaker: Lorien Lature Elizabeth Carter


The keynote speaker this year is Lorien Lature Elizabeth Carter and her keynote address will be titled “Their guilt, Our Responsibility.” Lorien Carter was born in Madison WI and raised in NYC. She is a mother, an author, a writer, a poet, and an advocate for the black and brown community. She moved back to Madison WI and would later begin her community/activist work in 2015, after the homicide of her 19 year old nephew, Tony Robinson, at the hands of Madison Police officer Matt Kenny. Since then, she’s become a voice for the youth, a highly decorated speaker, and pillar for the black and brown community. receiving multiple awards for these achievements.

 

Featured Entertainer: Ill Chemistry
Desdamona is an international award-winning spoken word and hip-hop artist who has been performing, teaching, and producing solo and collaborative work for over 20 years. Desdamona has worked in over 200 schools in the Midwest and has visited schools in France conducting workshops as artist in residence. In 2012, a collaboration between Desdamona and beat boxer / MC Carnage the Executioner was released on French label Nato records. The collaboration between Des and Carnage started in 2005 and the duo are currently in the process of creating new work together. In 2016, Desdamona released her 4th solo release entitled No Man's Land featuring a cast of women from the Twin Cities.
Carnage the Executioner has spent 30 years making music, performing live, touring the world, and working with youth and adults from various socio-economic backgrounds. He possesses a knack for producing intense, thought provoking music and establishing strong, healthy relationships. 15 years of teaching human beat boxing/vocal percussion, song writing, and composing short stage plays has culminated an impressive artist resume that extends to Europe and Asia. Carnage has been featured on the front page of the City Pages, referred to as "The Best Rapper (and Beat Boxer) You Have Never Heard Of" and was ranked #8 in the top 20 best rappers from MN also by City Pages.
There will also be a Poetry Contest for grades K-12. This years MLK quote for the Poetry Contest is, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘what are you doing for others?’”
Please note, we are planning this event in accordance with the state guidelines to encourage the safety of all attendees and staff. The format and timing of this event is subject to change. The Chamber will ensure that all sponsors, attendees, and members are notified of scheduling changes to this event.

More information about this event…

.

.

.

.

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
1Q 2025 County Health Assessment and Planning Partnership (HAPP) Mar 13, 2025 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Student Art Show Mar 13, 2025 05:30 PM - 07:30 PM — Gallery 24, 120 Elton Hills Dr. NW #100
Strengthening Cities and Counties through Education Partnerships Mar 14, 2025 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM — Virtual
Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day! Mar 15, 2025 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM — History Center of Olmsted County
MPR Connects! Rochester Smash Boom Best Mar 15, 2025 12:30 PM - 03:00 PM — Peace Plaza, 15 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55902
United Way of Olmsted County Centennial Gala Mar 15, 2025 06:00 PM - 08:30 PM — J. Powers at the Hilton in Downtown Rochester
Women’s History Mar 20, 2025 04:30 PM - 07:30 PM — Rochester Area Foundation, 12, Elton Hills Dr. NW, Rochester, MN
Free Training: Build A Private AI to Support Your Needs Mar 29, 2025 01:00 PM - 04:00 PM — University of MN, Robert J. Joines Urban Research
DMC 2025 Real Estate Development and Investment Summit Apr 16, 2025 09:30 AM - 03:00 PM — Mayo Civic Center
2025 Community of Wellness: Symposium & Gala Apr 17, 2025 08:00 PM - 05:00 PM — Mayo Civic Center / Rochester, MN
Upcoming events…
Community News

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



2025 Call for Proposals Proposal Deadline: March 18, 2025 (3 p.m. ET)

RWJF is launching the Local Data for Equitable Communities grant program that supports collecting, analyzing, and using data to catalyze action on timely issues within communities.

Last Updated March 09, 2025



ISAIAH: Rochester Faith in MN Calendar and Strategic Missions

Mar 2025 News and Call for Actions

Feb 2025 News and Call for Actions

Jan 2025 Rochester Faith in MN Calendar and Strategic Missions

 

Last Updated March 08, 2025



Rochester International Relations Committee

1. 2025 Sister City Trips: Japan, Germany

2. Rochester Sister City Application (Roles and Responsibilities)

3. Sister Cities Relationship Logs

4. IRC Meeting Logs

Last Updated March 06, 2025



Build Wealth Housing Project Proposals

PB Reporting ROCHESTER — A pair of housing developments is seeking to help first-generation homebuyers start building wealth, rather than continuing a cycle tied to paying monthly rent.

Last Updated March 04, 2025



Link BRT a milestone project for Rochester

DMC Feb 2025 Board Meeting Memo 

City of Rochester Receives $84.92 Million Federal Grant for Transformative Link Bus Rapid Transit Project

LINK Progress Report to City Council 

Rochester eyes TIF to support Transit Village, Public Parking

March 2, 2025 Update per PB Reporting

Last Updated March 02, 2025



Mayo Clinic Study Participation Opportunity

 Breathing Study: Enhancing Brain and Mental Health through Breathing Practice

 

Last Updated February 28, 2025



City of Rochester Shares Results of National Community Survey

The National Research Center (NRC) and City teammates shared Rochester’s results of the 2024 National Community Survey (NCS) at the February 24 Study Session.

Last Updated February 28, 2025



Chateau Theatre Upkeep

Feb 6, 2025 DMCC 

Feb 3, 2025 City Council Proceedings

PB Reporting  

Last Updated February 16, 2025



Housing Stats 5 Year Summary 2020 - 2025

5 Year Housing Demand vs Supply (Production)

Rochester, Olmsted County, and Township Production 

Avg Demand vs Avg Production Shortfall

Last Updated February 15, 2025



Minnesota Selected for National Cohort Around Dual Enrollment Policy

Saint Paul, MN – Minnesota is one of seven states selected to join The Next Phase of Dual Enrollment Policy Cohort, a new initiative from the College in High School Alliance (CHSA) that seeks to advance dual enrollment policies across the nation. The cohort also includes New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington.

Last Updated February 14, 2025



Journie 2025 Activities

Journie Juneteenth Recognition: 2025 Mr. & Miss Juneteenth Scholarship Recognition Application and Sponsorship Opportunities

The Juneteenth Experience Event at Mayo Civic 

 

Last Updated February 13, 2025



Peace Plaza paver adjustment plan

City Council Study Session PB Reporting

DMCC Board Meeting Proceedings  

Public Media Reporting: Post Bulleting, Star Tribune

 

Last Updated February 12, 2025



City SUPPORTING TRANSFORMATION - BOLD Unbound

City Council Study Session:

Video Recording Link

Presentation

Collaboration Commitment

Last Updated February 11, 2025



Vision 2050 Report and Next Steps

Press Release

Results Report

City Council Study Session

Last Updated February 11, 2025



Prenatal to Age 3 Network Strategy Refinement

Seeking feedback to refine network's chosen strategy.:

1. Collaborative Care Models: Expand access to doulas and peer supports 2. Community-Based Outreach: Strengthen community-based support groups and networks 3. Culturally Competent Care: Create trauma informed care protocols 4. Transportation Assistance: Leverage existing community transportation systems

Last Updated February 09, 2025



Accountability and Metrics

DMCC Feb 2025 Meeting Accountability and Metrics engagement:

Presentation, Memo and Video Recording

Last Updated February 08, 2025



DMC Equitable Economic Development

Feb 2025 DMC Board Meeting Report: Community Co-design, Equity Alliance Topics, Community Connection & Capacity Building, Pitch Event, Targeted Business Metrics, Affordable Housing

Last Updated February 07, 2025



DMC Feb 2025 Key Topics

Feb 2025 DMC Board Meeting Key Topics:

Annual Report; Metrics and Accountability; 2nd Street SW Public Realm Enhancement; Public/Private Collaboration to advance City for Health brand; Video Recording

Last Updated February 06, 2025



City Council Approval of Seneca Site for Sports Complex

Authorizing finalization of negotiations with Seneca Foods Corporation to purchase the approximately 160 acres of property in the amount of $5,000,000 for the Rochester Sports and Recreation Complex, to be finalized by survey of the property.

PB Reporting

Last Updated February 04, 2025



2024 – 2026 OLMSTED COUNTY COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CHIP)

A Collaborative Community Effort Led by: Olmsted County Public Health Services, Olmsted Medical Center, and Mayo Clinic

The Community Health Assessment and Planning (CHAP) Process is about improving the health and well-being of residents in Olmsted County. Every three years the community conducts a health needs assessment to determine Olmsted County’s health priorities; formulate a plan to address the needs; and publish an annual progress report. Olmsted County Public Health Services, Mayo Clinic, and Olmsted Medical Center engage with diverse partners across our community to lead this process.

Last Updated January 31, 2025