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Community Upstanding - Townhall One

This week’s program effort is focused on Community Upstander Training and will feature Tom Thibodeau, Distinguished Professor of Servant Leadership from Viterbo University. Thibodeau is the founder of the Master of Arts in Servant Leadership, the first master’s degree of its kind in the nation, and a founding member of hospitality and fellowship resource. Thibodeau is a popular professor, talented public speaker, and an extremely active community member focused on ethical life, serving the common good, and addressing homelessness.
When Nov 23, 2024
from 01:30 PM to 03:30 PM
Where Rochester Civic Theatre
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Press Release

 

Rochester, Minnesota – November 19, 2024

The Rochester Branch of the NAACP and Mayo Clinic African Descendants Mayo Employees Resource Group (AD MERG) invite the Rochester and Olmsted County communities to join us this Saturday at the Rochester Civic Theatre from 1:30 to 3:30 PM for an important townhall on community upstanding. This townhall is part of the Love Wins: Community Empowerment Initiative, a pilot program running from now until the end of 2024. This initiative, supported by Mayo Clinic’s ongoing Commitment Against Racism, aims to provide educational support and resources to uplift the local Black/African American community as well as equipping the community with vital information and training on how to become an upstander—equipping community members with important tools to succeed and thrive.

This week’s program effort is focused on Community Upstander Training and will feature Tom Thibodeau, Distinguished Professor of Servant Leadership from Viterbo University. Thibodeau is the founder of the Master of Arts in Servant Leadership, the first master’s degree of its kind in the nation, and a founding member of hospitality and fellowship resource. Thibodeau is a popular professor, talented public speaker, and an extremely active community member focused on ethical life, serving the common good, and addressing homelessness.

Walé Elegbede, President of the Rochester Branch of the NAACP, shared:
" The Love Wins initiative is more than just a response to hate—it’s about creating a foundation for empowerment, education, and opportunity at both the systemic and individual levels. To overcome the historical barriers that continue to plague society, everyone needs to lean in and make a demonstrable commitment. At the NAACP, we envision an inclusive community rooted in liberation where all can exercise their civil and human rights without discrimination. This initiative is another example of Mayo Clinic’s commitment against racism to make lasting change. We’re excited, and together we can build on good work that is being done.”

The initiative is a timely response to recent incidents in Rochester that targeted Black and Brown community members, underscoring the need for systemic change and proactive community engagement. By addressing issues like financial literacy, housing access, and personal development, while at the same time building upstanding resilience in the community, the Love Wins initiative seeks to uplift and unite the community.

African Descendants Mayo Employees Resource Group (AD MERG), an affinity group within Mayo Clinic, plays a critical role in supporting staff, employees, and patients of African descent. AD MERG strives to advance diversity and inclusion in clinical practice, education, and research, while also extending its impact into the broader Rochester community through partnerships like the one with the Rochester Branch of the NAACP.

In speaking about AD MERG's mission to the community, Cleo Pearson, Chair of AD MERG, said:
"AD MERG is deeply committed to optimizing the experience of Mayo Clinic employees and patients of African descent, but our mission goes beyond the workplace. We also believe in creating opportunities for professional growth, personal development, and community empowerment. Through collaborations like the Love Wins initiative with the Rochester Branch NAACP, which is part of largest and oldest civil rights organization in the nation, we aim to extend the impact of our work to uplift and empower the broader Rochester community."

The Rochester Branch of the NAACP recognizes that building strong, empowered communities requires a holistic approach, and this initiative seeks to meet those needs by delivering critical resources and education directly to the community. Community members interested in participating or learning more should visit the Rochester Branch of the NAACP.

 


 

 

Event Flyer

 

 

 

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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 Statue for Equality Apr 24, 2025 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
COMMUNITY CONNECTION CELBRATING FAMILY WELL-BEING DAY Apr 25, 2025 04:00 PM - 07:00 PM — OLD ROCHESTER FIRE DEPT-STATION #2 702 W SILVER LAKE DR. NE, ROCHESTER, MN 55906
Leave No One Behind Apr 27, 2025 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM — Christ United Methodist Church
Re-launch Coming to the Table Apr 28, 2025 05:30 PM - 07:00 PM — Rochester Public Library
Understanding Link BRT Public Information Sessions Apr 29, 2025 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM — Virtual
11th Annual EarthFest Expo May 03, 2025 09:30 AM - 02:30 PM — Saint Mary's University - Rochester Campus
Southeast Minnesota Community Mental Health and Wellness Conference May 05, 2025 08:30 AM - 02:30 PM — International Event Center 7333 Airport View Dr SW Rochester, MN 55902
507 Experience Day May 07, 2025 08:00 AM - 07:00 PM — Anywhere in the 507 (Phone) Area Code
Rochester Pride 2025 May 17, 2025 12:00 PM - 05:00 PM — Soldiers Memorial Field Park
Coming to the Table 2025 National Gathering Jun 12, 2025 - Jun 15, 2025 — Radisson Hotel St. Paul Downtown 161 St. Anthony Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55103
Upcoming events…
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