Following a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion audit of department efforts, organization-wide efforts, and our community during the first quarter of 2021, three goals were adopted for FY 2022:

1. Recruitment and Retention of diverse teammates
2. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion professional development
3. Community connection and engagement

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Action Plans were developed by each department for implementation in FY 2022.

DEI Action Plan Council Update Nov 2021

In 2021, the City of Rochester established its Community Engagement/Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (CE/DEI) Working Group. With the help of the CE/DEI Working Group, City of Rochester teammates were engaged to come up with a draft of a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commitment Statement. This statement is an internal and external commitment by the City of Rochester in equity work.

On November 30, 2021, the City of Rochester hosted its very first Diversity, Equity and Inclusion symposium for teammates to learn from keynote speakers and share department-specific DEI action plans. Over 250 City teammates participated and shared cross-departmental work. 

The City of Rochester is committed to building a culture of sustainability, both internally as a municipality, and more broadly within the community. A truly sustainable community balances not only environmental and economic aspects, but looks to incorporate social equity components as well.  A socially sustainable community looks to provide the processes, structures, systems, resources, and relationships that support the ability for all Rochester residents to thrive.

• In 2020 the City of Rochester convened a community Sustainability and Resiliency Task Force to assist in the development and implementation of a Sustainability and Resiliency Community Plan. The task force included 45 community members, representing a diverse cross-section of voices and perspectives. The Sustainability and Resiliency Community Work Plan outlines 34 strategies and 107 tactics across 6 focus areas, each with their own justification on how it is equitable for, and makes our community more sustainable. The City of Rochester looks forward to implementing this plan in collaboration with community partners. Read the final plan, learn more about our task force and check for updates on its implementation via our webpage.
• The Sustainability Asset Map highlights environmental, social, and economic assets available within the Rochester community. Residents are encouraged to utilize the map for a variety of resources and can suggest new or missing resources through our survey link.

The City of Rochester and Destination Medical Center EDA engaged MaKee Company to conduct a study of barriers to Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firms. Click here to read the Executive Summary of that report.