Akron in Action

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!

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!

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!

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!

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)