Photo by Flickr user Ken Lund My first two months as Akron program director for Knight Foundation have been dizzying. With countless meetings, public events, receptions and side conversations, I’m starting to get a sense of what lies ahead and behind.

First and foremost, I should say that the generosity of strangers that’s been extended to me has been truly humbling. From neighborhood tours to contractor recommendations, this Midwestern city has trumped any sort of Southern hospitality that I knew as a child. I am grateful to all who have softened the transition with kindness.

Over the course of the meetings, I began to discern a subtle rhythm. After winding through cordialities and initial matters of interest, most of my discussions have inevitably arrived at a small set of tough and meaningful questions. I’d summarize them as follows:

·      How does Knight Foundation perceive Akron?

·      How do you perceive Akron?

·      What are your thoughts on the portfolio of investments that Knight Foundation has made in Akron?

·      What are you focused on right now and moving forward?

What I know of Jack Knight from reading the history books and speaking to those who knew him tells me that he would have wanted the tough questions to always be answered forthrightly and expediently, so here goes:

When I visited Miami for interviews and returned for my initial training, I learned that Akron looms large in the minds and guiding decisions of the foundation. Just as in Jack Knight’s time, Akron and Miami are kindred spirits in constant communication.

I’ve had the good fortune to visit cities around the world and have focused my studies on those weathering significant economic transition. I can say without reservation that Akron has handled the expansion and contraction associated with putting the world on four wheels and supporting the arsenal of democracy better than any other that I’ve studied.  I’d attribute that fact to pragmatic leadership, continued focus on innovation and citizen determination. Akron today is poised for stabilization and increased quality of life thanks to 40 years of efforts to manage the early effects of the American Industrial Revolution.

I am encouraged by what I see. I’ve studied every grant Knight has made in Akron over the past five years, and I clearly see the pursuit of transformational change in areas of great possibility.  I also see a wealth of completed projects, created enterprises and lessons to learn from. I believe Akron and Knight should be proud of having been bold enough to pursue innovation with passion and urgency.

Moving forward, I am working within a clear mandate: attracting and retaining talent, expanding economic opportunity and creating a culture of civic engagement 

Our talent work recognizes that the fate of a place is tied to the number of college-educated people who choose to live there. Retaining graduates and attracting more defies traditional charity, but it has the potential to stabilize tax bases and has been shown to create more opportunity for everyone.

Opportunity relates to enabling entrepreneurs to pursue the work. Jack Knight wanted others to have the same chances that he felt the American free enterprise system offered him and his brother Jim and we strive to honor that tradition.

In the Knight brothers’ time, engagement meant giving citizens facts and opinions about big issues facing the community and then assisting in the collective action that came from that shared information. Though the tools may have changed, the spirit remains the same.

Now, we’re in the midst of trying to uncover great ideas around talent, opportunity and engagement that can grow Knight communities such as Akron. The Knight Cities Challenge asks, What’s your best idea to make cities more successful? Knight is investing $5 million to put the best concepts to work in 26 cities where Jack and Jim Knight once owned newspapers.

I’ll be hosting events during the challenge period to answer your questions and to discuss ways we can move Akron forward. Come join the conversation.

Josh McManus is Akron program director for Knight Foundation.

Learn more about the Knight Cities Challenge

The Knight Cities Challenge runs from Oct. 1 to 5 p.m. ET Nov. 14. It offers applicants a chance to share in $5 million by focusing on the question: “What’s your best idea to make cities more successful?” The contest will test the most innovative ideas in talent, opportunity and engagement in one or more of 26 Knight Foundation communities. Apply at KnightCities.org.

The following community Q&As are scheduled in Akron:

·      Monday, Oct. 6, 4 to 5:30 p.m., Akron-Summit County Public Library, 60 High St., Akron. RSVP here.

·      Wednesday, Oct. 8, Noon to 1 p.m., University of Akron. RSVP here.

You can also log on for virtual office hours:

·      Friday, Oct. 3, from 3 to 4 p.m. ET: Join us for a webinar.

·      Tuesday, Oct. 14 from 3 to 4 p.m. ET: For best quality, use this link to connect via your Web browser(please confirm and allow plugin installation at prompt), or connect via telephone by calling 1-888-240-2560 and entering meeting ID 829368066.

Check here for a schedule of community events across the United States.