Local Leaders and Citizens to Come Together for Sustainable Change

Words by Sophie Vaughan

With some fresh faces sitting on the Akron City Council and a new Administration under Mayor Shammas Malik, Akron environmental advocates are ready for a big change. The Akron Environmental Justice Coalition is working to connect local citizens directly to City officials and policymakers to create lasting environmental change in our community. On Tuesday, January 30, 2024, the Akron Environmental Justice Coalition is hosting a public forum from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the First Congregational Church of Akron, where the Akron community can come together with local leadership to begin to address the biggest environmental issues facing our city. 

For this forum, local leaders will use a positive change methodology known as Appreciative Inquiry to facilitate small circle groups. Each group of local citizens will focus on a specific discussion topic relating to environmental issues in Akron, using a collaborative approach. Instead of focusing on problems, Appreciative Inquiry explores strengths and successes, fostering positive change through affirmative questions that amplify what’s working well. This approach sparks innovation and encourages a future built on shared values and aspirations. For the Akron Environmental Justice Coalition, these shared aspirations and values center around creating a sustainable, equitable, and healthy Akron.