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LOCAL PRODUCTION

City Centric Akron
26:42
Published:
Learn about a city with a rich history and a bright future.

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.

The Revitalizer

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.”

The Entertainer

Jenn Kidd, Executive Director of The Nightlight

“International films [and] documentaries help you realize that we’re not so different and so far apart.”

The Entrepreneur

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.”

The Politician

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.”

The Humanitarian

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.”

The Future

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.”

Spotlight

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.

Explore More
An Interview with Bronlynn Thurman
An Interview with Jenn Kidd
An Interview with Tony Troppe
About Akron

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 

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