The Diversity Council
In the News
Ronayne receives Champion of Diversity award
January 25, 2013
Jeanne Ronayne of Olmsted County Victim Services was recognized with the annual Champion of Diversity Award at the Diversity Council's annual celebration, which also featured Pillsbury House Theatre's Breaking Ice.
January is 'diversity & inclusivity' month in Rochester
January 3, 2013
The Diversity Council and Rochester Civic Theatre present a month of events celebrating diversity.
New online resource focuses on 'What Works' in anti-bias efforts
May 14, 2012
Dr. Char Kunkel, Professor of Sociology at Luther College, partners with the Diversity Council to launch a collection of success stories.
Diversity Council Member Appointed to Dayton's Anti-Bullying Task Force
February 24, 2012
Youth Education Program Manager Vangie Castro is appointed to the statewide anti-bullying task force. (KAAL)
'Champions' further cause of diversity
January 20, 2012
Champion of Diversity awards are announced at the Diversity Council annual meeting.
Pulse on Health: Time to Intervene
November 7, 2011
Columnist Jeff Hansel at the Post-Bulletin addresses the Diversity Council's anti-bullying campaign.
Diversity Council Outlines Anti-Bullying Campaign
October 11, 2011
The Diversity Council launches a year-long anti-bullying campaign at the National Coming Out Day celebration. From KAAL
International Journalists Visit Rochester
September 28, 2011
An Armenian TV crew spends two days with the Diversity Council
Rochester is Focus of Armenian TV Series
August 29, 2011
The Diversity Council plays host in September to a visiting TV crew from Armenia filming stories on diversity, education, immigration and volunteerism in America.
It's Possible to be Both Civil and Strong
May 28, 2011
Editorial by Diversity Council volunteer Kathy Brutinel in the Post-Bulletin.
Diversity Council Training for Employees at Work
May 9, 2011
The Diversity Council rolls out a new corporate training program titled "Becoming the Solution." From KAAL TV
Officials React to Rochester Hate Crime
May 6, 2011
When a Somali family's home is targeted with racist graffiti, the Bias/Hate Crime Incident Team responds, led by Diversity Council Executive Director Kay Hocker. From KAAL TV
Firms work to create inclusive workplaces
Executive Director Kay Hocker and Diversity Council Board member Michelle Flanagan, who is human resources site manager for IBM, served on a panel convened to help area business leaders create inclusive work environments.
Diversity Council Board President Named One of Five to Watch
February 23, 2011
The Post-Bulletin named Diversity Council Board President Ashok Patel as one of five community leaders who are "on the front lines in developing the face of the future."
Bullying isn't just a normal rite of passage
December 20, 2010
An editorial on bullying from the Diversity Council.
Diversity Council hosts Non-Event fundraiser
October 13, 2010
Local Muslims Weigh in on Pastor's Plan to Burn Koran
September 8, 2010
Communications Director Denise Robertson comments.
Expert: We are the same and different
August 20, 2010
The Post-Bulletin reviews the conference on "Exploring Race: Building an Inclusive Community," organized by Diversity Council staff and other community leaders.
Exhibit that debunks race opens Monday
May 15, 2010
"RACE: Are we so different?" is a nationally touring exhibit brought to Rochester by Mayo Clinic. The Diversity Council is providing educational activities in conjunction with the exhibit.
Efficacy approach is desperately needed
April 14, 2010
Dr. Philip Araoz's monthly editorial praises the Efficacy parent training offered in partnership between Rochester Public Schools and the Diversity Council.
RACE exhibit seeks volunteers—a lot of them
March 6, 2010
The Diversity Council partners with exhibit sponsors to offer discussion groups for students on school tours. Volunteer facilitators are sought to lead the groups.
Diversity Council looks for 'teachable moments'
January 22, 2010
The Diversity Council's 22nd annual meeting focused on opportunities to educate the community.
Civic Theatre presents month-long diversity program
January 7, 2010
The Diversity Council partnered with Rochester Civic Theatre to present a month-long Celebration of Diversity and Inclusion.
St. John disburses $11,000 from annual block party
December 8, 2009
The Diversity Council's Spark! program was one of the beneficiaries of the annual block party sponsored by the Church of St. John the Evangelist.
Group brings immigration to the table
June 12, 2009
Table Talk, sponsored by RNeighbors, the Diversity Council, and the Post-Bulletin, invites neighbors to join together for a meal and discuss the positive contributions immigrants make to our communities.
Anti-prejudice message is hitting home
April 24, 2009
Annual student assessment results show that changes to the Diversity Council's K-12 Spark program are increasing its effectiveness.
'History Makers' to be honored
February 26, 2009
Jackie Trotter, first Executive Director of the Diversity Council and one of its founders, is honored as a Black History Maker along with her husband Virge.
Forum will explore value of immigrants to the labor force
February 3, 2009
The Diversity Council is working with local leaders to learn what immigrants have to offer our community and what helps them meet the challenges of succeeding in a new country.
Feds to lead meeting on Rochester bias crimes
January 26, 2009
The Diversity Council participates in a meeting with community leaders led by the U.S. Department of Justice to address a rise in hate crime.
Diversity Council's anniversary to be part of celebratory week
January 17, 2009
The Diversity Council celebrates its 20th anniversary during a week of festivities honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. and the historic inauguration of Barack Obama.
Rochester man will revel in inauguration
January 17, 2009
Former Executive Director George Thompson will attend Barack Obama's historic inauguration. The day is particularly meaningful for this man who was raised in the days of segregation.
Making it on Nick News
January 15, 2009
Ten of the 170 students who entered the Diversity Council's Martin Luther King, Jr. poetry contest were selected to recite their poems on camera for a Nickelodeon special to air February 8.
Living the Dream
January 8, 2009
Rochester Civic Theatre and the Diversity Council partner to offer a month-long series of events celebrating the dream of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Willow Creek diversity speaker: Same boat, different decks
November 8, 2008
The Diversity Council co-sponsored a conference with nationally recognized speaker Victor Lewis. A review of his remarks.
Noose discovery puts Chatfield school on edge
January 17, 2008
The Diversity Council consults with Chatfield high school administration to respond to an incident in which a student hung a black doll from a noose.
Diversity Council survey reveals racial perceptions
August 28, 2007
The Diversity Council reported to a group of about 100 community leaders on the results of the 2006 Olmsted County Racial Attitudes and Actions Survey.
Prejudice Reduction program marks 10 years
August 28, 2006
The Diversity Council will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its Prejudice Reduction Workshops from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 28 at Riverside Elementary School...
Survey to measure race & immigration opinions
August 10, 2006
Area residents' attitudes on race and immigration will be measured in a survey this month sponsored by the Diversity Council...
Gender, sexism explored in community discussion
March 18, 2006
"The Diversity Council and University Center Rochester will lead a community discussion about gender and sexism on March 30..."
Diversity Council's vision bears fruit
March 13, 2006
"Those responsible for creating and sustaining Rochester's Diversity Council are to be commended for their efforts as the council marks its 10-year anniversary..."
Decade of fighting prejudice celebrated
March 10, 2006
The Diversity Council celebrates the 10-year anniversary of Prejudice Reduction Workshops at the 2006 annual meeting.
350 pay tribute to 'Catalyst'
January 13, 2006
Today is 'George Thompson Day' in Rochester.
Rochester schools to export diversity
January 7, 2006
The Diversity Council's Prejudice Reduction Workshops will be a part of local school districts' new Area Collaborative Integration Plan.
Mandate requires district collaboration
January 7, 2006
The Diversity Council will assist with the new Area Collaborative Integration Plan mandated by the state.
Kay Hocker is new Diversity Council director
January 6, 2006
Six years ago, Kay Hocker interviewed George Thompson in his role as executive director of the Diversity Council for one of her graduate classes. Last week, she took over the job.
Thompson deserves thanks
December 22, 2005
The city of Rochester owes a debt of gratitude to George Thompson, who will step aside next month as executive director of the Diversity Council.
Thompson worked for harmony and inclusion from Day One
December 19, 2005
One of the most challenging times in George Thompson's tenure with the Diversity Council in Rochester occurred within his first year as its executive director.
10-Year-Old Fights Intolerance
February 23, 2005
10-year-old Grant Eckhoff speaks out as co-chair of the Diversity Council's 2005 development campaign.
Benson: Business Sets Good Example in Diversity
January 14, 2005
Duane Benson speaks at Diversity Council's 2005 Annual Meeting.
Mankato Uses Rochester's Diversity Council as a Model
August 3, 2004
"The work done by the Diversity Council in Rochester has impressed Mankato-area officials so much that they want to imitate it...."
The articles above are reproduced on our site with permission from the Post Bulletin.
