North Akron Community Development Corp. (NACDC) has named Katie Beck as its new executive director. Beck, who formerly managed the Exchange House for Better Block Foundation, along with directing NACDC activities since July 2019, will lead the neighborhood-based nonprofit by building organizational capacity and increasing community participation in the new role. “I am … [Read more...]
Akron Community Foundation, city of Akron award more than $200,000 in Neighborhood Partnership grants
The City of Akron and Akron Community Foundation have announced $203,840 in grants to help residents improve their community through the Neighborhood Partnership Program. In all, matching grants were awarded to 51 projects throughout Greater Akron that will help strengthen neighborhoods from Goodyear Heights to North Hill. An art garden in the Highland Square neighborhood will … [Read more...]
International Institute moves offices to Summa St. Thomas campus
International Institute of Akron (IIA) will move its offices to the Summa - St. Thomas campus, at 20 Olive St., Suite 201, effective Oct. 1. Planning for the move has been under way for some time in response to the state of Ohio’s plan to reconfigure the intersection at the site of the Institute’s longstanding location on Tallmadge Avenue at Dayton Street. The nonprofit … [Read more...]
Shanti Farms spices up love of peppers with community fundraiser Aug. 10
Akron’s Bhutanese population, estimated at nearly 6,000 strong, is also known as a main contributor to Akron’s rising recognition as the place to find the “hottest & spiciest cuisine” north of the U.S. southern border, according to Akron-based Shanti Community Farms, which operates community gardens for immigrant and neighbor families on North Hill. Shanti Farms will … [Read more...]
Knight Foundation announces $720,000 in urban investment grants for Kenmore, North Akron, Middlebury
Organizations receiving support include The Well Community Development Corporation, North Akron Community Development Corporation and Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance -- Two community development corporations and one neighborhood alliance will launch a plan to improve neighborhood life, keep and attract talented people and advance new investments in Akron with $720,000 from the … [Read more...]
Newly formed North Akron CDC hosts ‘birthday party,’ open house Aug. 18
The North Akron Community Development Corporation is a new non-profit formed by some of the people who organized the North Hill Better Block in 2015. The group will serve North Hill, Cascade Valley and Chapel Hill districts. The nonprofit has decided to kick off with a “birthday party” Friday, Aug. 18, 6 to 9 p.m. at North Hill’s Exchange House, 760 Elma St. North Akron … [Read more...]
Music equipment donation drums up lively celebration for Akron’s Congolese refugees
No matter how far from home you may find yourself, one thing you’ll always have is your music. The group Congo to Akron, a band comprised of resettled Congolese musicians on North Hill, proves this to be true as the band began making music using plastic buckets. However, just in time for Congo’s Independence Day, Tommy Bruno, general manager of Akron radio station “The … [Read more...]
Wandering Aesthetics brings stories off the page June 26 in North Hill
Wandering Aesthetics presents, 'Jumping Off The Page: A Storytelling Performance' -- Wandering Aesthetics is offering a free, one-night-only performance of "Jumping Off The Page," Monday, June 26 at 6:30 p.m. The performance will take place at Akron's North Hill Branch Library, 183 E. Cuyahoga Falls Ave. Wandering Aesthetics returns – for the third straight year – for a … [Read more...]
Gum-Dip Theatre company premieres play about Bhutanese refugees
'Nepali Applause' takes place May 27, 28 -- Gum-Dip Theatre (GDT) will present "Nepali Applause: An Open Air Market / Performance Festival," on Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Exchange House, 760 Elma Street, in Akron's North Hill. "Nepali Applause" is a multi-disciplinary performance that illustrates the rich history of the Nepali … [Read more...]
Learn about Akron’s neighborhoods through Jane’s Walk events May 5-7
Jane’s Walk is a series of citizen-led neighborhood walking tours. Named after urban activist and writer Jane Jacobs, Jane's Walks are annually held, internationally, during the first weekend in May to coincide with her birthday. On May 5 through 7, a number of walks will be led throughout Akron. Residents are welcomed and encouraged to join in on the walk to connect with … [Read more...]
