Leading up to Akron Mayor Shammas Malik’s State of the City Address on June 3, we’re asking Akron residents to speak up. 

What are his administration’s successes — from public safety and transparency to budget management and economic development? What areas need improvement?

Signal Akron will use your answers in the survey below to compile a progress report of sorts and future reporting.

Take our survey:

Help us tell more stories for Akronites

Every day, our team works to deliver stories that reflect the different voices and experiences of those that live in Akron and Summit County, holding leaders accountable and highlighting solutions that move us forward.

Just this year, we’ve continued our nonpartisan reporting on how policy decisions both at both the state and federal levels are having direct impacts here in Akron.

We are keeping an eye on investigations at Akron Public Schools, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik’s plans to support new affordable housing in the city and much more.

We are also telling the stories of Akronites like Julia Perry, who wrote more than 100 pieces of music and conducted some of the best orchestras in Europe. And Kali Oliver, a talented modern dancer, who dreamed one day of joining the world-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. That dream came true in 2024.

All this to say we’re here for Akronites everyday. And we’re always free to read.

Support from readers like you makes our work possible. Make a tax-deductible donation today.

Susan Kirkman Zake, Signal Akron editor in chief.

With gratitude,

Susan Zake

Editor-in-Chief

Signal Akron

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.