RCODE invites you to the 7th Annual ‘Every Brick Counts’ Ceremony at the Rondo Commemorative Plaza from 3-5 pm on Thursday, September 19th. This event recognizes those who have purchased commemorative, engraved bricks for installation along the plaza’s history walk.

This year, we will install 50+ bricks, the largest installation year since we began celebrating brick purchasers seven years ago. Stay tuned for program details and a brick map.

Facebook Event

Livestream Link

We invite you to take part in a workshop with a Voter Outreach Specialist from the Office of Minnesota, Secretary of State Steve Simon on Saturday August 17, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.

Topics will include:

• Qualifications to (pre)register and vote in MN

• Registration and preregistration process

• Voting experience

• Rights of the voter

• Alternative ways to vote

• Specialty considerations:

  • Criminal Record

  • College/University students

  • Activity Military/Overseas

*This training may be especially helpful for a leader of a non-profit, church, sorority & fraternity, or other institution who wants to be a point person for questions about voting.*

To register for the event, please click here.

***THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL RCODE/RCP EVENT***

The Rondo Block Party is an unforgettable event that captures the excitement and energy of the vibrant Rondo neighborhood in Saint Paul. From live music and performances to delicious food and engaging activities, the Rondo Block Party offers something for everyone to enjoy. It's a time to connect with neighbors, celebrate shared traditions, and create new memories that will last a lifetime.

For more information, please visit the Rondo Block Party website and Facebook Page.

***THIS EVENT IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH RCODE/RCP***

Rondo Days is an annual festival held the 3rd Saturday in July in Saint Paul, Minnesota, that commemorates the Rondo neighborhood, an African-American community that was split in two by the construction of Interstate 94 in the mid-1960s.

The festival has grown since its inception in 1983, to become the largest African American sponsored festival in Minnesota.

This year will be the 40th Annual Celebration of Rondo Days!

For more information see the Rondo Days Facebook Page or the Rondo Days Website.

*THIS EVENT IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH RCODE/RCP*

During Summer 2024, the Three Rivers Park District is putting on a series about the Métis in Minnesota. The term “métis” was used to describe someone with bi-ethnic ancestry, but the term also identifies members of the Métis Nation of Canada, a specific Indigenous group with bi-ethnic ancestry.

Background: In the 1790s, Pierre Bonga, on record as the earliest person with African descent in Minnesota, worked for the Northwest Fur Company in Grand Portage, MN, a few miles south of the Canadian border, and in the Red River Valley. He married an Ojibwe woman, and in 1802, their son, George Bonga, was born near present-day Duluth.

Event Details: During this event, Historic Interpreter Joel Brown will bring to life the story of George Bonga, the son of Pierre Bonga. George was educated in Montreal and returned to Minnesota to work in the fur trade and serve as a translator.

The presentation will be at the Chalet in Elm Creek Park Reserve from 1:00 - 2:00 pm with an open house at the Pierre Bottineau House to follow.

To register and pay the admission fee of $10, please visit the Three Rivers Park District website.

About Joel Brown: A Cultural History Interpreter since 1996, Joel Brown’s primary focus is the U.S. Army Air Corps / U.S. Army Air Forces of World War II. In 2016, he incorporated into his repertoire two notable Fur Trade Voyageurs of the Territorial Era of Minnesota: Pierre and George Bonga.

Join us at the second Saint Paul Winter Carnival’s RONDO NIGHT!  Enjoy lively Rondo performances. Support BIPOC Rondo artists, businesses, and organizations. Savor flavorful bites from West Indies Soul while learning more about the vibrant history of Rondo.  Door prizes too! It will be a night to remember…we can’t wait to see you! This event is coordinated by Rondo Roundtable member organizations and the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, and supported by the Saint Paul Star Program, Xcel Energy, Sunrise Banks, ReConnect Rondo, and the Rondo Roundtable. Click this link for a FREE ride pass from Metro Transit.

On Wednesday, September 13th, 2023, Rondo Commemorative Plaza held our 6th annual “Every Brick Counts” Ceremony, to honor those who have purchased bricks along the plaza’s History Walk. This year, twenty-seven bricks were installed, reflecting memories of families, friends, businesses, and organizations connected to Rondo. The event was streamed virtually on Zoom, and we had participants from across the world. A video of the event is available here. This video showcases Executive Director Marvin Anderson’s speech and features three interviews with brick purchasers about their ties to Rondo. Our “Every Brick Counts” Ceremony is an annual celebration held in September. Please join us next year! 

Join us on June 19th for RCODE’s celebration of Juneteenth! In addition to speakers, music, and awards, we are inviting employers with semi-skilled and skilled job openings to participate in a job fair with individuals between the ages of 18-26. Our Keynote Speaker is Dr. Marvin Dunn, Jr., the founding Chair of the Department of Psychology at Florida International University. Food will be available from Ninja Street Foods, The Cave Cafe, and Good Life Eatables. Exhibitors include the Ramsey County Historical Society, St. Paul Fire Department, and the Science Museum of MN. We can’t wait to see you there!

The sale of commemorative bricks for installation in the Commemorative Plaza’s History Walk has already begun. Go to https://rcodemn.org/buy-a-brick for more information!