Akron-centric individuals are Tony Troppe, economic developer; Jenn Kidd, executive director of The Nightlight movie theater; Tiffany Roper, CEO of Eat Speak Love and OH SNAP Photo Lab; Margo Sommerville, Akron City Council president; Curtis Minter Jr., director of operations at The Well CDC; and Bronlynn Thurman, philanthropic developer and artist.
Tony Troppe, Economic Developer
“It’s key to save your built legacy, your historic buildings because it’s in those places that the stories are not only learned, but are retold to future generations.”
Jenn Kidd, Executive Director of The Nightlight
“International films [and] documentaries help you realize that we’re not so different and so far apart.”
Tiffany Roper, CEO of Eat Speak Love and OH SNAP Photo Lab
“All of your dreams can come true right here in Akron. Akron is a small place but it’s got big heart.”
Margo Sommerville, President of Akron City Council
“When I think of Akron, I think of resiliency. We think of Akron as the rubber capital of the world…When all of that left, our city could have died, right? But it didn’t. It went on to reinvent itself.”
Curtis Minter, Operations Director at The Well CDC
“You can’t fit Akron in your back pocket. It becomes more expansive, more thrilling, [and] more exciting when you broaden your view.”
Bronlynn Thurman, Philanthropic Developer and Artist
“Looking through the lens of a camera helps show me how beautiful Akron is...It reminds me that we’re all connected. It reminds me that we’re a community and that we need to support each other in order to build a better city for everyone.”
Hear from Akron-centric Tony Troppe, economic developer.
Hear from Akron-centric Jenn Kidd, executive director of The Nightlight movie theater.
Hear from Akron-centric Tiffany Roper, CEO of Eat Speak Love and OH SNAP Photo Lab.
Hear from Akron-centric Margo Sommerville, Akron City Council president.
Hear from Akron-centric Curtis Minter, director of operations at The Well CDC.
Hear from Akron-centric Bronlynn Thurman, philanthropic developer and artist.
Listen | Podcast
An Interview with Bronlynn Thurman
Listen | Podcast
An Interview with Jenn Kidd
Listen | Podcast
An Interview with Tony Troppe
The fifth-largest city in the state of Ohio, Akron is the county seat of Summit County. It is located on the western edge of the Glaciated Allegheny Plateau, about 40 miles south of downtown Cleveland. — Wikipedia
Akron is home to Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, the Ohio Ballet, The Akron Art Museum, The Akron Symphony Orchestra and E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall. It is also home to the Akron RubberDucks, which is the Cleveland Indians AA baseball team. The historic Ohio & Erie Canalway runs just beyond center field at the team's Canal Park home. To the north, Hale Farm and Village offers a glimpse of life in the 19th century, with 32 restored buildings, plus gardens and farm animals. — Google and akronohio.gov
Founded in 1825
Incorporated: 1836 (village)
Incorporated: 1865 (city)
Population: 189,347 (2021)
Mayor: Daniel Horrigan
Nick Cave, Summit Lake: Heard
A project by artist Nick Cave celebrated inclusion for Akron’s Summit Lake neighborhood.
Lost Voices of the Great War: Summit County in WWI
Story of Summit County, Ohio residents’ experiences at home and overseas during WWI.
An Answer from Akron
In the 1960s, young African Americans answered the need for affordable housing in Akron.
Finding Lost Voices: The Archivist’s Role
A University of Akron archivist talks about researching a local World War I production.
The Forgotten Dead
This local production sheds light on the history of marginalized Summit County residents.
The Women Who Helped Win a War
Rosie the Riveters in Akron, Ohio, reminisce about Corsairs, rivet guns, pants and more.
