Love Akron

How are you?

Many of us move from one responsibility to the next without ever stopping to notice what we're carrying.

Today, take a moment to pause and reflect.

As you look at the feeling wheel, what word best describes where you are right now?

Whatever word you choose, know this:

YOU MATTER.

Not because of what you've accomplished, but because of who you are.

If you'd like to share, drop your word in the comments or send us a DM.

Juneteenth reminds us that freedom is not just something to celebrate, but something to steward. As we reflect on the past, we also look ahead to the work still being done to build stronger neighborhoods, healthier families, and a more united Akron.

At Love Akron, we believe real change happens when people come together to serve, support, and love their city well.

Together, we’re building a city where everyone can thrive.

At Love Akron, we believe every field needs cultivation before it can produce a harvest. Through our Progressions, we’re planting seeds of hope, leadership, healing, prayer, unity, and transformation across Greater Akron.

From the One City Podcast to Mental Health First Aid, The Locker Room Experience, Prayer gatherings, Grief Recovery, and beyond, each progression is helping people take their next step toward growth and impact. These aren’t just programs, they’re pathways that help individuals, churches, and our city move forward together.

The harvest we’re praying for doesn’t happen overnight. It happens one conversation, one relationship, one act of love, and one step of progress at a time.

Because loving our city isn’t finished work—it’s progress happening right now.

Learn more here:

https://www.loveakron.org/onecity

Yessir!

Instead of heading home first thing Sunday morning, stay for Church at Alive ☀️🌲

Join us at the Woods Stage for a time of worship with Ke'Erron and a special word from Ohio's own Pastor Deante Lavender! ✝️🙌

Last week, Coach Kemp had the opportunity to join Akron Children's "Goes Orange" conference and share a community perspective on youth gun violence.

One of the messages he shared was simple:

"You can't influence who you're not connected to."

Too often, we react after tragedy. But lasting change happens through relationships built before crisis. As a football coach, mentor, and community leader, Kemp challenged us to consider what our young people are carrying every day and how our presence, consistency, and willingness to engage can make a difference.

Our kids are carrying more than we often realize. Fear. Pressure. Confusion. Isolation.

The question is not whether we care. The question is whether we will show up.

Thank you to Akron Children's for creating space for important conversations about protecting and supporting our youth.

Read more in the Akron Beacon Journal article below.

Destigmatizing gun violence and advocating against it are ways to raise more awareness and educate as many people as possible, a national expert says. See link below ⬇️

📸 Ryan Loew, Signal Akron

Kindness ❤️

How do you define kindness?

Record a short answer and share it with us.

Post and tag or submit through the Act of Kindness button at USofKindness.org

Let’s make kindness visible. 🇺🇸

🚨 Breaking News 🚨

Love Akron has identified its succession plan.

After a thorough interview process (and a few snacks), three highly qualified candidates stopped by the office today to evaluate our operations.

Performance Review Results
• Enthusiasm: 10/10
• Creativity: 10/10
• Teamwork: 10/10
• Focus: Results may vary
• Snack Consumption: Exceeds Expectations

We'll keep the current team for now, but the future looks promising.

All jokes aside, every leader starts somewhere. The next generation is watching, learning, and growing right in front of us. How are you investing in the them?

The future leaders of Akron may be closer than we think. ❤️