In April 2019, nearly 200 Akron area citizens met with journalists and editors from the Akron Beacon Journal, WKSU, and the Devil Strip to discuss how to make the community a thriving place for everyone.
They discussed big issues facing the community, and brainstormed how individuals and the media could be part of solutions. The conversations took place a month before the May primary, to get a better idea of what people who work, live, and play in Akron were thinking about the future of the city. All residents were invited to participate in the four free conversations at schools around Akron.
Your Voice Ohio helped facilitate and organize the event series, along with the Akron-based Center for Marketing and Opinion Research who also provided polling data and analyzed the input from participants.
What We Heard
As Beacon Journal reporter Doug Livingston reflected, “Engaged citizens came to talk about life in Akron. Journalists came to listen.”
Engaged citizens came to talk about life in Akron. Journalists came to listen.
We heard the need for a sense of community, and residents resoundingly expressed a desire to connect, and be connected.
People also discussed how the lack of economic opportunities, poverty, addiction, gun violence, low wages, job loss, and crumbling infrastructure have affected the communities. We also heard about the need to empower youths, and how the media could help support the people making positive change by becoming a connective tissue in the community.
Participants shared their thoughts on over 1,000 note cards, which media partners are currently diving into.
Explore the event reportWhat’s Next?
Residents who attended the four solutions-oriented discussions want to keep the discussion going, and so do our partners. At the Buchtel Community Learning Center meeting, many of the 100 participants said they were more willing to talk to their neighbors about local issues and create new neighborhood programs. Other participants across the meetings wanted to volunteer after the talks.
All 200 participants are being invited to join a private Facebook group, where media partners hope to cultivate solutions and share the stories that need to be told to move Akron forward, and there will be opportunities for everyone in Akron to get involved in the near future.
News Coverage
- This is Akron: What’s Next? // WKSU
- This Is Akron: Residents at community forums identify solutions to improve their city // Akron Beacon Journal
- Beacon’s community conversations just beginning // Akron Beacon Journal
- How the Media Can Better Serve Akron // Your Voice Ohio
