Clarification:

This story was updated to state that Akron won the All-America City award for the fourth time, not the fifth. The National Civic League, which makes the award, lists Akron as having won in 1980, 1981, 1995, 2008 and now 2025. Current and former city officials told Signal Akron the city was named a finalist in 1980, and that the winners weren't selected until 1981, which may have led to the confusion on the number of awards.

The City of Akron was selected as a National Civic League All-America City for a fourth time over the weekend in Denver.

As he accepted the award, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik said, “This Saturday, Akron is going to celebrate 200 years, and you have given us an incredible birthday present.”

Malik credited the city’s Lauren Marsh, assistant to the chief of staff, and Emma Lieberth Osborn, policy and grants strategist, who he said thought it was important to apply for the recognition.

“Akron is an All-America City because of the people who call it home,” Malik said.

A stageful of representatives from the city, including employees, nonprofit partners such as the Akron Community Foundation and Keep Akron Beautiful, members of City Council, County Executive Ilene Shapiro and community members helped the city make its case as it competed against 19 other finalists.

“We’re going to try and steal just as many of your ideas as we possibly can,” chuckled Malik as he admired some of the other finalists’ ideas and initiatives.

This community is “reimagining public spaces. This community is engaging residents in recyling campaigns. This community is renewing their river,” said Ramiro Garza, the mayor of Edinburg, Texas, as he announced Akron’s selection.

Former U.S. Congressman Derek Kilmer (D-WA) told the candidates before the winners were announced that people still have faith in their local communities, civic leaders and representatives. “You are out there building and not blaming. You’re solving problems, not just ignoring them or pointing at them. You are loving critics of your communities, and that’s what stewardship looks like.”

Akron Mayor Shammas Malik speaks after the city was named a winner of the 2025 All-America City Award in Denver, Colorado.
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik speaks after the city was named a winner of the 2025 All-America City Award in Denver, Colorado. (Screenshot via All-America City’s YouTube page)

Akron chosen as finalist in April

The 125-year-old nonprofit agency, National Civic League, named Akron a finalist for this year’s All-America City Award in April.

A committee chose half of the finalists, awarding each city the designation based on “excellence in local innovation, civic engagement, and cross-sector collaboration.”

YouTube video

(Akron award ceremony starts at 12:12 in the video.)

While there are no direct financial awards for winners, some view it as a boon to their city’s prestige and reputation. The City of Akron’s official seal prominently highlights “All-America City” and the years 1981, 1995 and 2008, when it was previously awarded the designation. (The All-America City website also lists 1980.)

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.

In April, after the city was named a finalist, city spokesperson Stephanie Marsh said it’s likely the mayor’s office will seek City Council legislation to include 2025 on the seal if the city won. 

The City of Akron’s official seal
The City of Akron’s official seal prominently highlights “All-America City” and the years 1981, 1995 and 2008, when it was previously awarded the designation.

“The biggest benefit to Akron historically has been the national recognition that comes with the award, as well as developing deeper connections to a national network of other finalists and winners and the pride it brings to the community because of the recognition,” Marsh said in an April email to Signal Akron. “We’re excited to be in this group of finalists with the likes of cities like Austin, Seattle, Denver, Memphis and others.”

Akron is the only city in Ohio or the Midwest to be nominated this year. 

The 20 finalists “were selected through a rigorous review process led by an external committee of experts,” according to the National Civic League website, and each “demonstrated exceptional civic capital and a commitment to strengthening environmental sustainability through inclusive community engagement. These cities and regions are being recognized for their ability to bring people together, create positive change, and build thriving, resilient communities.”

The team from Akron traveled to Denver to compete this weekend to pitch the city to a “jury of nationally recognized civic leaders,” who selected the winners. Marsh said in April that, historically, the city has covered the travel expenses for attendees, and this year’s cohort had not yet been determined.

Editor-in-Chief (she/her)
Zake has deep roots in Northeast Ohio journalism. She was the managing editor for multimedia and special projects at the Akron Beacon Journal, where she began work as a staff photographer in 1986. Over a 20-year career, Zake worked in a variety of roles across departments that all help inform her current role as Signal Akron's editor in chief. Most recently, she was a journalism professor and student media adviser at Kent State University, where she worked with the next generation of journalists to understand public policy, environmental reporting, data and solutions reporting. Among her accomplishments was the launch of the Kent State NewsLab, an experiential and collaborative news commons that connects student reporters with outside professional partners.

Government Reporter (he/him)
Doug Brown covers all things connected to the government in the city. He strives to hold elected officials and other powerful figures accountable to the community through easily digestible stories about complex issues. Prior to joining Signal Akron, Doug was a communications staffer at the ACLU of Oregon, news reporter for the Portland Mercury, staff writer for Cleveland Scene, and writer for Deadspin.com, among other roles. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Hiram College and a master’s degree in journalism from Kent State University.