Alice Duey laughs as she stands off to the side of the stage with her boyfriend, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik.
Alice Duey laughs as she stands off to the side of the stage with her boyfriend, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik, during a community celebration at House Three Thirty Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, in Akron. The community celebration followed the ceremonial swearing-in on Akron Mayor Shammas Malik held earlier at E.J. Thomas Hall. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Kemp Boyd, executive director of Love Akron and chair of the Citizens' Police Oversight Board, shakes hands with Akron Mayor Shammas Malik.
Kemp Boyd, executive director of Love Akron and chair of the Citizens’ Police Oversight Board, shakes hands with Akron Mayor Shammas Malik during a community celebration at House Three Thirty Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, in Akron. The community celebration followed the ceremonial swearing-in on Akron Mayor Shammas Malik held earlier at E.J. Thomas Hall. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Dallas Aleman (right) and Nancy Aleman, owners of Towpath Tennis Center, take part in a community engagement activity put on by Art x Love.
Dallas Aleman (right) and Nancy Aleman, owners of Towpath Tennis Center, take part in a community engagement activity put on by Art x Love during a community celebration at House Three Thirty Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, in Akron. The community celebration followed the ceremonial swearing-in on Akron Mayor Shammas Malik held earlier at E.J. Thomas Hall. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Himalayan Arts Language & Cultural Academy performers Merina Biswa (left) and Sawan Subba, both 16, perform during a community celebration at House Three Thirty.
Himalayan Arts Language & Cultural Academy performers Merina Biswa (left) and Sawan Subba, both 16, perform during a community celebration at House Three Thirty Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, in Akron. The community celebration followed the ceremonial swearing-in on Akron Mayor Shammas Malik held earlier at E.J. Thomas Hall. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik (center) speaks while the co-chairs of his transition team (from left) Robert Dejournett, Tony O’Leary, Tracy Carter and Jeremy Lile stand behind him.
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik (center) speaks while the co-chairs of his transition team (from left) Robert Dejournett, Tony O’Leary, Tracy Carter and Jeremy Lile stand behind him during a community celebration at House Three Thirty Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, in Akron. The community celebration followed the ceremonial swearing-in on Akron Mayor Shammas Malik held earlier at E.J. Thomas Hall. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik (second from right) stands with girlfriend, Alice Duey (right) and (from left) Crystal Ann Costa, Malcolm Costa, Elizabeth Bartz and Veronica Sims during a community celebration at House Three Thirty.
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik (second from right) stands with girlfriend, Alice Duey (right) and (from left) Crystal Ann Costa, Malcolm Costa, Elizabeth Bartz and Veronica Sims during a community celebration at House Three Thirty Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, in Akron. The community celebration followed the ceremonial swearing-in on Akron Mayor Shammas Malik held earlier at E.J. Thomas Hall. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Justin Hilton, president of Leadership Akron, laughs during a community celebration at House Three Thirty.
Justin Hilton, president of Leadership Akron, laughs during a community celebration at House Three Thirty Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, in Akron. The community celebration followed the ceremonial swearing-in on Akron Mayor Shammas Malik held earlier at E.J. Thomas Hall. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Community members gather for snacks and refreshments during a community celebration at House Three Thirty Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Tracy Carter (right) shares remarks as her fellow co-chairs of Akron Mayor Shammas Malik’s transition team (from left) Robert Dejournett, Tony O’Leary and Jeremy Lile stand behind her.
Tracy Carter (right) shares remarks as her fellow co-chairs of Akron Mayor Shammas Malik’s transition team (from left) Robert Dejournett, Tony O’Leary and Jeremy Lile stand behind her during a community celebration at House Three Thirty Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, in Akron. The community celebration followed the ceremonial swearing-in on Akron Mayor Shammas Malik held earlier at E.J. Thomas Hall. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Shristy Biswa (front), 14, and Pragyan Lungeli, 16, both from the Himalayan Arts Language & Cultural Academy, perform.
Shristy Biswa (front), 14, and Pragyan Lungeli, 16, both from the Himalayan Arts Language & Cultural Academy, perform during a community celebration at House Three Thirty Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, in Akron. The community celebration followed the ceremonial swearing-in on Akron Mayor Shammas Malik held earlier at E.J. Thomas Hall. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik visits the Akron Children’s Museum activity table.
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik visits the Akron Children’s Museum activity table during a community celebration at House Three Thirty Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, in Akron. The community celebration followed the ceremonial swearing-in on Akron Mayor Shammas Malik held earlier at E.J. Thomas Hall. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Community members listen to remarks during a community celebration at House Three Thirty.
Community members listen to remarks during a community celebration at House Three Thirty Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, in Akron. The community celebration followed the ceremonial swearing-in on Akron Mayor Shammas Malik held earlier at E.J. Thomas Hall. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)

Multimedia reporter/producer (she/her)
Kassi Filkins strives to be an active part of whatever community she finds herself in and joins Signal Akron in its mission to bring accessible and community-focused news to all Akronites.

Kassi was born and raised in Central Ohio and is a photojournalism graduate of Kent State University. She was a staff member at the Southeast Missourian and the Hartford Courant before working in non-profit communications.

Kassi lives in Highland Square and enjoys local coffee shops, walking along trails in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and hanging out with her dogs, cat and husband.