The Rising to the Occasion program in Akron is well under way and showing signs of early success. Supported by Knight since 2010, the program seeks to increase the retention and graduation of African American males from the University of Akron. Troy Roebuck and Travell Wright (pictured), two of the first year students in the […]
Article · April 3, 2012 by Jennifer Thomas
Torchbearers Board members at their Community Leaders Reception at the Akron Civic Theater. Knight Foundation recently awarded $50,000 to Torchbearers, an organization dedicated to attracting and retaining young professionals in Akron. The funding supports a new program called “Be The Change” in which members identify their passion and create a plan for initiating community change while building strong relationships […]
Article · March 8, 2012 by Jennifer Thomas
JumpStart has invested $250,000 in an Akron-based company that uses an adhesive pad to dissipate heat generated in computers and electronics. The adhesive was inspired by the properties of the footpads of geckos, the small lizards that are able to climb walls. JumpStart, in part funded by Knight Foundation, has invested $2.75 million in Akron-based companies. […]
Article · March 6, 2012 by Jennifer Thomas
The Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron recently announced the formation of APTO Orthopaedics, the first medical device company created by the institute. APTO Orthopedics was formed in partnership with a pediatric surgeon at Akron Children’s Hospital. Its device will address early onset scoliosis in children and eliminate multiple surgeries by using magnets to lengthen a spine […]
Article · January 13, 2012 by Jennifer Thomas
University Park Alliance’s Core City Vision The Atlantic Cities recently featured the University Park Alliance and its work to create a “sense of place” and strengthen Akron’s urban core. The article “Building Community Around Downtown Jobs” features the alliance as leading the multi-sector team of city leaders who are working to reshape the downtown Akron […]
Article · December 6, 2011 by Jennifer Thomas
Exciting news for Northeast Ohio: the University Park Alliance is partnering with international real estate firm KUD to help redevelop the area surrounding the University of Akron. The firm will work on financial and other resource issues to help developers secure financing and reduce risk. “This is huge. This is going to give us the competitive […]
Article · October 21, 2011 by Jennifer Thomas
Today, Knight Foundation is excited to announce that William H. Considine, president and CEO of Akron’s Children’s Hospital is joining the board of trustees. Considine was honored last night, as Akron Program Director Jennifer Thomas writes: New Knight Foundation trustee Bill Considine, president and CEO of Akron Children’s Hospital, received the Polsky Humanitarian Award on Tuesday night in Akron. The […]
Article · October 19, 2011 by Jennifer Thomas
The Light UP Lantern Festival over the weekend in Akron, Ohio was a quirky triumph that got everything right. The University Park Alliance is the festival’s “Presenting sponsor”, Leandra Drumm developed, created, and organized the event. Daniel Coffield is one of its Art directors and a significant part of the event as well. Don Drumm Studios and Gallery […]
Article · October 12, 2011 by Jennifer Thomas
Dr. Frank Douglas, President and CEO of the Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron Yesterday, the Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron and partners received a $500,000 award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) to fund the Accountable Care Community (ACC) initiative, a collective effort aiming to create a healthier community and lessen […]
Article · September 28, 2011 by Jennifer Thomas
The recipient of this year’s Inamori Ethics Prize is Beatrice Mtetwa, a human rights lawyer who has spent the last 20 years defending journalists and fighting for a free press in her home country of Zimbabwe. In her remarks at a ceremony on Sept. 7 at Severance Hall in Cleveland, she said, “in one’s career, it does not […]
Article · September 9, 2011 by Jennifer Thomas
Knight Foundation recently hosted an interactive workshop to foster a greater sense of community in Akron with speaker Peter Kageyama. Over 200 people attended. To assist the effort, the team from The Civic Commons, a Knight-funded civic engagement platform, captured Akron residents’ sentiments prior to the workshop through a “nametag project”. During the workshop, the Commons put up its Mobile […]
Article · September 6, 2011 by Jennifer Thomas