In an event full of pomp and circumstance, Mayor Shammas Malik took to the E.J. Thomas Hall Performing Arts stage Saturday afternoon for a public ceremonial swearing-in, six days after his private-but-official swearing-in at a midnight event New Year’s Eve and Day at Akron City Hall.
Saturday’s event kicked off just after 1 p.m. and featured music, speeches, more music and, eventually, Malik’s swearing-in ceremony, with retired Akron Municipal Court Judge Ted Schneiderman officiating with an assist from local attorney Gary Rosen.
During his remarks, Malik joked to the crowd that it was “the greatest assembly of talent in Akron since the last time Lebron James was in a room by himself.”
Watch the ceremonial swearing-in video from Saturday’s event. See the guide to the video’s content below.
He also talked about calling former Akron Deputy Mayor Dave Lieberth to verify that he’s the youngest person to serve as Akron’s mayor. Lieberth told Malik he “went back to 1850 and checked” so that Malik could legitimately make the claim. “As the first person of color, as the youngest person,” Malik said, “I know that government doesn’t just serve one kind of person.”
Malik acknowledged his mother, Helen Killory Qammar, who taught at the University of Akron for more than 20 years in the Chemical Engineering Department. She died 11 years ago tomorrow. Malik said his mother “has always been a pillar in my life, she always will be, and I wouldn’t be standing here without her today.” Qammar “treated everyone with dignity and respect,” he said, and “took the time to make sure each person, each student, each faculty member, each staff member, was part of a broader team.”
He thanked the coalition of people who helped him get elected. “Whether you were part of our campaign, whether you’re part of the transition process, whether you donated, or voted, or simply offered a kind word, thank you so much.”
Change, a constant theme during Malik’s campaign, was a topic as well. The change needed in Akron isn’t “elect Shammas and sit back and watch me fix it,” he said. “Change is about building positive energy for our city’s future, and that is something we are all a part of. I’ve watched this energy slowly grow in Akron.”
Malik said the team he builds will work toward high-quality and consistent city services. “This is about snow plowing, this is also about potholes. But it’s about so much more. It’s about improving how we interact with residents across every city department.”
Many of the roles in his administration will be different, he said, including a redesigned chief of staff role, with Brittany Grimes Zaehringer in the job, and a new chief of strategy position, filled by the Rev. Nanette Pitt, formerly the senior minister at the First Congregational Church of Akron. Malik created a director of sustainability and resiliency job, and the fire and police chiefs will be part of the mayor’s cabinet, because, Malik said, “the leaders of those two safety organizations need to be at that table.”
Malik has launched a national search to find a replacement for Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett, who retired at the end of the year. Deputy Chief Brian Harding is currently the acting chief.
The big issues in Akron, including safety, education, economic development, housing and the environment, Malik said, will be tackled through a persistent, team-based approach, with help from the 2,000 “dedicated, hardworking city employees” to the “190,000-person football team” made up of everyone who lives and works in Akron.
“We have a lot of plans. What’s needed is someone to hang in there with a team and get it done. From community policing to quality preschool for all our children to violence intervention and more opportunities for our young people and high-quality jobs in our neighborhoods and in downtown.”
Malik said Akron faces many challenges, “but there is not a single thing that can stand in the way of our determination and our grit and our energy if we do it together.”
ON THE VIDEO:
- Music from Hearts For Music, a non-profit that provides opportunities for people with special needs. The musicians were later joined by the Akron Symphony Orchestra quartet. (12:02 into the video)
- Music from Akron Symphony’s “Gospel Meets Symphony Choir (25:41)
- Music from University of Akron jazz student Jennifer James (38:46)
- A reading from from social justice activist, public speaker, and author Rachel Cargle (43:49)
- The “presentation of the colors” from the Akron Police Department Honor Guard (47:12)
- The Pledge of Allegiance, led by Ohio Rep. Casey Weinstein and his daughter (48:01)
- The singing of the national anthem by Darien Hill, Taylor McCants and Jasmine Harvey (48:50)
- A “moment of shared reflection” from Malik’s new chief of strategy, the Rev. Nanette Pitt (50:44)
- A speech from University of Akron President Gary L. Miller (56:43)
- A speech from University of Akron Student Body President Alia Baig (1:02:54)
- A speech from U.S. Rep. Emilia Strong Sykes (1:05:50)
- A speech from Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro (1:12:06)
- A speech from Robert DeJournett, community leader and Together For Akron transition committee co-chair (1:15:03)
- A performance of “A Change is Gonna Come” by Carla Davis, with Lauren Marsh accompanying on the piano (1:17:41)
- Remarks from Mary Theofanos, Malik’s aunt (1:21:36)
- Malik taking the the Oath of Office, with retired Judge Ted Schneiderman and Gary Rosen officiating (1:24:40)
- Speech from Malik (1:27:07)
