Akron has been named an All-America City for the fourth (or maybe fifth) time.
The City of Akron was one of 10 cities selected by the National Civic League, a 125-year-old nonprofit that sponsors the award.
Representatives from Akron, one of 20 finalists, traveled to Denver over the weekend to compete for the title. Akron was the only city in the Midwest to be nominated this year.
Recipients are evaluated on shared vision, civic engagement, inclusiveness and equity, collaboration, innovation and impact. The theme for 2025 was strengthening environmental sustainability through inclusive community engagement. Applicants completed a written application and prepared an in-person presentation to be shared with the jury in Denver.
“This is not something that’s handed out like, you know, peanuts or candy,” said Dave Lieberth, the founder of the Akron History Museum and a former deputy mayor. “Doing this application requires hours and hours and hours of work and research and data collecting and focus and writing.”
The other cities selected along with Akron are: Port St. Lucie, Florida; Seattle, Washington; Kinston, North Carolina; Memphis, Tennessee; Hampton, Virginia; Carrboro, North Carolina; Jacksonville, North Carolina; Chelsea, Massachusetts; and Tallahassee, Florida.
Akron was previously awarded the designation in 1981, 1995 and 2008, but there is some confusion around whether the city also took home an award in 1980. The All-America City website also lists a 1980 win for the city. The National Civic League plans to look through its archive to confirm this, but it will take some time, said a spokesperson for the city.
Lieberth said Sunday’s win marks Akron’s fourth. The National Civic League announced Akron as a finalist in October 1980 and announced the city’s win in April 1981, he said, adding that Akron celebrated that win with a festival and the naming of the All-America Bridge (also called the Y Bridge).
City’s presentation stresses mobilization of community engagement, trust building with residents
Lieberth wrote and produced the show and emceed the program for Akron’s 1995 presentation, which happened to be in Cleveland, as well as the 2008 presentation. In 1995, more than 100 Akronites traveled to Cleveland for the presentation, and a group of them encircled the stage with pots of chrysanthemums, Lieberth said.
This year, Akron’s team approached the stage wearing red, green and blue shirts bearing the image of the rubber worker statue in downtown Akron as they spelled out “OK Akron” as a call-and-response chant. With them, the Akron delegates carried a “Together for Akron” banner and letters that spelled out “community.”
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Akron’s application focused on: its Recycle Right Campaign, which has brought the amount of non-recyclables placed in recycling bins down from 40% to 20%; Akron Waterways Renewed!, a collection of 26 major infrastructure projects that lowered the amount of sewage overflow in the Cuyahoga River so that it meets or exceeds water quality standards; and reimagining Akron’s Civic Commons, a partnership that has led to the redesign of gathering spots and public parks.
In their presentation, the delegates shared how the city has mobilized community engagement forums and built trust between residents to accomplish its goals.
“Through their application and presentation, they showed that they are a national model for engaging residents, businesses and government stakeholders in the pursuit of environmental goals,” Doug Linkhart, the president of the National Civic League, said in a statement. “Their efforts are creating lasting impacts that reduce and mitigate the effects of climate change while bolstering residents’ well-being.”
What does Akron win?
There are no financial rewards for the winners of the All-America City award, but a win “raises the profile of local efforts and puts communities on a national stage,” according to the National Civic League’s website.
“All-America City finalists and winners find it easier to attract and retain businesses that generate jobs and a stronger tax base,” the website said. The communities also attract residents looking for healthy places to live and boost tourism and grants.
Akron saw economic growth after the 1998 and 2005 awards, Lieberth said, but it’s hard to link the boost in business solely to the awards.
“I think it would be difficult to say this was the reason, but it’s like chicken soup when you’ve got a cold. That can’t hurt,” Lieberth said.
The main advantage is actually the process of assembling the application and presentation, Lieberth said. It’s a reason to bring together a group of people who seldom have an opportunity to meet each other.
“I can’t point to a single thing that that network accomplished, other than winning the All-America City award, but I know in my bones that it mattered to the people who were participants and that it had a long-lasting result,” Lieberth said.
This year, Akron’s delegation of city employees, community stakeholders and residents represented: the GAR Foundation, County of Summit, Akron Community Foundation, Greater Akron Chamber, Huntington, Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau, Akron Zoo, GOJO, State and Federal Communications, Unify America, METRO Regional Transit Authority, Summit Metro Parks, ArtsNow, Akron Energy Systems, Akron City Council, Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council, Keep Akron Beautiful, Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, Akron Urban League, Summit Lake residents and local students.
Which cities have won more times than Akron?
5 wins
Stockton, California
New Haven, Connecticut
Dubuque, Iowa
Wichita, Kansas
Worcester, Massachusetts
Tupelo, Mississippi
Cleveland, Ohio
El Paso, Texas
Hampton, Virginia
6 wins
Des Moines, Iowa
Phoenix, Arizona
7+ wins
Kansas City, Missouri – 7 wins
Roanoke City, Virginia – 7 wins
San Antonio, Texas – 9 wins