Akron in Action

It's finally summertime, and that means lots of opportunities for fun in the sun! Host Alexis King sits down with Laurie Chenevey and Jeff Mourton from Akron’s Recreation & Parks team to explore all the fun happening across our city this summer.  From free park concerts and community‑center programs to pools, splash pads, youth camps, and beloved events like the Taste of Akron and Akron Ar...

On May 19, Mayor Shammas Malik delivered his third State of the City Address! He outlined a sweeping vision for Akron’s future centered on collaboration, innovation, and community investment. The speech highlighted major new initiatives across housing, public safety, youth opportunity, sustainability, and economic development, all tied together through the city’s “Together for Akron” framework. In...

In this episode of Akron in Action, host Alexis King sits down with Casey Shevlin, the City of Akron’s Director of Sustainability and Resiliency, to explore how sustainability connects directly to residents’ everyday lives. Casey shares how she defines sustainability, why the newly created Office of Sustainability and Resiliency matters, and what it’s like to run the entire operation as a one‑pers...

How can we make it easier for Akronites to live, build, and stay here in our city? Hear from Director of Planning Kyle Julien and Director of Opportunity and Engagement Esther Thomas about the work of the Planning Department and our new Right to Counsel pilot program. Plus, Kyle, Esther, and Alexis dig into what it means to be a good neighbor and the power of vibrant neighborhoods.  Learn more abo...

One of our administration's bold goals is to strengthen our community's Early Childhood Systems by working with early childhood experts and civic leaders to develop a Unified Early Learning System. We kicked off Phase 1 is September, and we're excited to move into Phase 2! Hear from Mayor Malik and Education and Health Strategist Richelle Wardell as they break down what the Unified Ear...

How does the Akron Police Department engage with our community? What's a "Community Engagement and Crime Prevention Plan?" Get the answer to these questions and more in this month's episode of Akron in Action. Alexis King discusses APD's robust Community Engagement plan, how APD is intentionally interacting with our community, and why this work matters with Deputy Chief Micha...

As we hit the halfway point of his first term as the mayor of Akron, Mayor Shammas Malik and host Alexis King look back on the accomplishments of our administration in 2025.  Many of these accomplishments were part of Mayor Malik's Together for Akron plan, which you can read in full at akronohio.gov/togtherforakron .  Follow us on Facebook (@AkronOhio) or Instagram (@AkronMayorMalik)

As we approach the one-year anniversary of the reopening of Lock 3 after a $17M renovation, Alexis King sits down with Downtown Operations Manager Chris Griffith and President of Downtown Akron Partnership Kimberly Beckett to talk about the improvements to the park, recent development Downtown, and more.  To learn more about the events at Lock 3, visit www.lock3live.com . For the full Winterblast...

The Akron Fire Department fights fires--it's in the name! But what else does the department do when they aren't out answering a fire-related call? Host Alexis King chatted with the Akron Fire Department's Chief Leon Henderson and Captain Dan Garrett to learn more. Some of their answers might surprise you!  To contact the Akron Fire Department for CPR training, Stop the Bleed Training, or other fir...

This month, the City's Digital Media Manager Alexis King sits down with our Environmental Services Manager Emily Collins and Service Director Chris Ludle to talk about the Akron Waterways Renewed program and the recent announcement from the city about a proposed modest, phased increase of sewer rates for Akron sewer customers.  Read the full Together for Akron plan here: https://www.akronohio.gov/...

Join the City's Digital Media Manager Alexis King as she chats with Akron Mayor Shammas Malik and City of Akron's Youth Opportunity Strategist Denico Buckley-Knight about student success and youth opportunity in Akron, which is one of the objectives under Mayor Malik's "Growing Together" pillar for the Together for Akron plan. Read the full Together for Akron plan here: Toget...