Akron Speaks

In 2023, Shammas Malik was running for Mayor of Akron, and we were excited and encouraged by his style of leadership, vision for the future, and plans for the city. To support the campaign, we developed the worksheets and brochure for Akron Speaks – a series of community conversations inspired by the World Café method for simple, effective, and flexible group dialogue. Four events were organized in each geographic region of Akron, and dedicated to the core issues facing Akron. Dozens of residents attended, sharing their voice and vision for an informed and better future for the city.

The worksheets and brochure gave people a flexible and safe space to share their thoughts, insights, and vision for the future – regardless of whether they could attend or not.

Thousands of insights and ideas were collected from residents, all of whose voices and vision were used to inform Shammas’ campaign. Together, they represent the change that Akron needs.

Photo by Shane Wynn