Akron in Action is a series where you’ll hear directly from the folks doing the hard work every day to move the city of Akron, Ohio forward.
Every month, we’ll be taking you behind the scenes into different departments and topics of your city government.
Host Alexis King sits down with Elena Bell from the Akron Zoo and Laura McElrath from the Akron Marathon for a lively, interconnected conversation about community, wellness, wildlife, and the power of partnerships.
Hear how new Zoo arrivals, major expansions, and the ever‑growing Akron Marathon Race Series each shape the city — and how both organizations work hand‑in‑hand with the City of Akron to create unforgettable experiences for residents.
It’s adventure, health, and hometown pride all in one episode.
Follow us on Facebook (@AkronOhio) or Instagram (@AkronMayorMalik) to see updates on what else we're working on!
11 Jun 2026
Ep. 11 – Fun in the Sun with Recreation & Parks
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 Art Expo — this episode is packed with ways to enjoy Akron all season long. Whether you’re looking for a place to cool off, explore, get active, or just enjoy time with neighbors, there’s something for everyone in Akron’s parks and community centers.
Tune in to learn how to take full advantage of these offerings — and how Recreation & Parks helps make Akron a vibrant, connected place to call home.
Learn more or register for programs at: https://akron.recdesk.com/Community/Home (https://akron.recdesk.com/Community/Home)
View the Concerts in the Park schedule here: https://bit.ly/4uZnG9y (https://bit.ly/4uZnG9y)
Follow Akron Recreation & Parks on Facebook (@CityofAkronRecreationandParks) or Instagram (@AkronRecAndParks) to stay up to date on programs and events across all of our community centers and parks.
Follow us on Facebook (@AkronOhio) or Instagram (@AkronMayorMalik) to see updates on what else we're working on!
27 May 2026
SPECIAL EDITION: Akron in Action, Ep. 10 – State of the City with Mayor Shammas Malik
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 this month’s Special Edition of Akron in Action, host Alexis King and Mayor Malik take a high-level look at some of the biggest updates and announcements from the event.
You can watch the speech in its entirety here: https://bit.ly/4v6n02t (https://bit.ly/4v6n02t)
You can read the full Together for Akron plan at www.AkronOhio.Gov/TogetherForAkron (http://www.AkronOhio.Gov/TogetherForAkron) or check out our new public dashboard to track our progress at www.AkronOhio.Gov/Dashboard (http://www.AkronOhio.Gov/Dashboard).
If you want to take any of the actions that Mayor Malik mentions at the end of the episode, you can visit AkronOhio.Gov/GetInvolved.
Follow us on Facebook (@AkronOhio) or Instagram (@AkronMayorMalik) to see updates on what else we're working on!
22 Apr 2026
Ep. 9 - Sustainability that Improves Daily Life with Casey Shevlin
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‑person team.
Together, they discuss the hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant funding Casey has brought into Akron, the ambitious Climate Action Plan she’s working to develop, and the initiatives already underway—from expanding Akron’s tree canopy to building a more resilient future for every neighborhood.
If you’re curious about how sustainability shapes the quality of life in Akron, this episode offers an inside look at the work happening every day to make our city healthier, stronger, and ready for the future.
Sustainability is part of the Living Together Pillar of Mayor Malik's Together for Akron plan. You can read the full plan at AkronOhio.Gov/TogetherForAkron.
Follow us on Facebook (@AkronOhio) or Instagram (@AkronMayorMalik) to see updates on what else we're working on!
18 Mar 2026
Ep. 8 - Living, Building, and Staying in Akron with Kyle Julien and Esther Thomas
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 about the Planning and Urban Development Department here: https://bit.ly/3PlezAx (https://bit.ly/3PlezAx)Learn more about the Right to Counsel Pilot Program here: https://bit.ly/3HQMpJV (https://bit.ly/3HQMpJV)Learn more about the "Made in Akron" Housing Plans: https://bit.ly/4cHcdFX (https://bit.ly/4cHcdFX) and https://bit.ly/4a9Wfkx (https://bit.ly/4a9Wfkx)
Housing is part of our Living Together pillar for the Together for Akron plan. You can read the full plan at AkronOhio.Gov/TogetherForAkron.
Follow us on Facebook (@AkronOhio) or Instagram (@AkronMayorMalik) to see updates on what else we're working on!
24 Feb 2026
Ep. 7 - The Unified Early Learning System with Mayor Malik and Richelle Wardell
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 Early Learning System is, it's ultimate goals, and how we're keeping this a provider-led process.
Learn more about Phase One here: https://bit.ly/4aI6YD6 (https://bit.ly/4aI6YD6) and the U.S. Conference of Mayors DollarWise Innovation Grant here: https://bit.ly/471Caw2 (https://bit.ly/471Caw2)
The Unified Early Learning System is part of Mayor Malik's Together for Akron Plan, which you can read in its entirety at AkronOhio.Gov/TogetherForAkron. Follow us on Facebook (@AkronOhio) or Instagram (@AkronMayorMalik) to see updates on what else we're working on!
2 Feb 2026
Ep. 6 - Engaging Community with Deputy Chief Miller and Sergeant Subba
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 Michael Miller and Sergeant Damber Subba.
You can read the full Community Engagement and Crime Prevention Plan here: https://bit.ly/4akRx4N (https://bit.ly/4akRx4N)
To contact our Community Relations Unit, please call (330) 375-2390.
To reach our Community Engagement Team, please call (330) 375-2568.
You can also email Sgt. Subba directly at DSubba@AkronOhio.Gov.
Interested in joining the next round of recruits for the Akron Police Academy? Learn more at JoinAkronPolice.Com, or reach out to Sgt. Subba for more information.
The Community Engagement and Crime Prevention Plan is part of the Safer Together pillar of Mayor Malik's Together for Akron Plan. You can read the plan in its entirety at AkronOhio.Gov/TogetherForAkron. Follow us on Facebook (@AkronOhio) or Instagram (@AkronMayorMalik) to see updates on what we're working on!
29 Dec 2025
Ep. 5 - 2025 Top 10 with Mayor Shammas Malik
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 (http://akronohio.gov/togtherforakron).
Follow us on Facebook (@AkronOhio) or Instagram (@AkronMayorMalik)
17 Nov 2025
Ep. 4 - Downtown Akron is SO Back with Chris Griffith and Kimberly Beckett
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 (http://www.lock3live.com).
For the full Winterblast schedule, including information for the 2025 Welcome Santa Parade, click here:https://cms2.revize.com/revize/akronoh/news_detail_T17_R372.php (https://cms2.revize.com/revize/akronoh/news_detail_T17_R372.php)
To learn more about Downtown Akron Partnership, visit www.downtownakron.com (http://www.downtownakron.com).
To read Mayor Malik's full Together for Akron plan, visit www.akronohio.gov/togetherforakron. (http://www.akronohio.gov/togetherforakron.)
22 Oct 2025
Ep. 3 - More Than Just Fighting Fires with Chief Leon Henderson and Captain Dan Garrett
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 fire prevention education, please call (330) 375-2481.
To contact AFD for business site safety inspections or to get free smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, please email fireprevention@akronohio.gov (mailto:fireprevention@akronohio.gov) or call (330) 375-2211.
To contact AFD for the REACH program's services, email REACH@akronohio.gov (mailto:REACH@akronohio.gov) or call (330) 812-7590.
You can also learn more about the REACH program here:https://www.akronohio.gov/departments/fire/reach.php (https://www.akronohio.gov/departments/fire/reach.php)
Interested in becoming a firefighter/paramedic? Join the AFD team! Learn more here:https://www.akronohio.gov/departments/fire/become_a_firefighter.php (https://www.akronohio.gov/departments/fire/become_a_firefighter.php)
Read Mayor Malik's full Together for Akron plan here: www.akronohio.gov/togetherforakron (http://www.akronohio.gov/togetherforakron)
16 Sept 2025
Ep. 2 - What's Up with Akron's Sewer Rates? With Emily Collins and Chris Ludle
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/togetherforakron (https://www.akronohio.gov/togetherforakron)
Learn more about the proposed sewer rate increases here: https://www.akronohio.gov/news_detail_T17_R343.php (https://www.akronohio.gov/news_detail_T17_R343.php)
See if you're eligible or apply for our Water and Sewer Bill Assistance Program: https://www.akronohio.gov/sewerassist (https://www.akronohio.gov/sewerassist)
Follow us on Facebook (@AkronOhio) or Instagram (@AkronMayorMalik)
21 Aug 2025
Ep. 1 - Youth Opportunity with Mayor Malik and Denico Buckley-Knight
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: Together for Akron (https://akronohio.gov/government/mayor_s_office/together_for_akron.php#collapselinks-3764-41b3)
Learn more about Akron City Festival here: 3rd Annual Akron City Festival on Sunday, August 31st (https://www.akronohio.gov/news_detail_T17_R337.php)
Follow us on Facebook (@AkronOhio (https://www.facebook.com/AkronOhio/)) or Instagram (@AkronMayorMalik (https://www.instagram.com/akronmayormalik/))
Contact Denico Buckley-Knight at (330) 217-9647 or DBuckley-Knight@akronohio.gov (mailto:DBuckley-Knight@akronohio.gov).
Contact Mayor Malik at (330) 375-2345 or Mayor@akronohio.gov (mailto:Mayor@akronohio.gov).
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