Marco Sommerville added to HistoryMakers collection
Marco Sommerville, Akron’s deputy mayor, joins an esteemed list of Black Akronites interviewed by The HistoryMakers, which describes itself as the digital repository of the Black experience.
“I want to thank The HistoryMakers for this incredible honor,” said Sommerville, who is the Akron deputy mayor. “I’ve watched many of the interviews they’ve done over the years with some of the greatest minds of the Black community and to be included in that outstanding group of individuals is such a privilege for me.“
Read the city’s press release about the honor and see who else with ties to Akron was previously interviewed by HistoryMakers. Interviews are archived in the Library of Congress, with more than 11,000 hours of testimony collected.
At the mic
The Akron City Council meeting Monday was way outside of its norm, as an overflow crowd advocated for council members to pass a ceasefire resolution in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
More than 25 attendees registered in advance and spoke during the public comment period, with the vast majority asking council to pass the resolution.
Yaseen Shaikh speaks in favor of a ceasefire resolution during the public comment period at the Nov. 13 Akron City Council meeting. Shaikh was one of nearly 30 speakers at the meeting –most were there to support the resolution. 11-13-23 Credit: Susan Zake / Signal Akron 
Janos Jalics waves a Palestinian flag inside Akron City Council chambers Nov. 13 after they finished their remarks during the meeting’s public comment period. 11-13-23 
Rev. John Beaty shouts his support for a ceasefire resolution as he speaks during the public comment period at the Nov. 13 Akron City Council meeting. Beaty joined almost 30 other commenters, most of whom spoke in support of the resolution. 11-13-23 Credit: Susan Zake / Signal Akron 
Ariana Wilin holds up a sign that states “Palestinian Lives Matter” during the Nov. 13 Akron City Council meeting. Many of the attendees at the meeting spoke to support a ceasefire resolution being considered by council. Credit: Susan Zake / Signal Akron 
Credit: Susan Zake / Signal Akron
Our student intern, Chloe Robertson, who is a junior journalism major at Kent State, was at the meeting and captured the emphatic and emotional comments.
Things to do
Diamond anniversary at the Linda
The iconic Linda Theatre in Goodyear Heights is celebrating its 75th anniversary party on Saturday. The festivities will start with a 4 p.m. showing of the movie “Tap Roots,” which was the first movie the theater showed when it opened in 1948. A party at Cafe Rewind will follow at 6 p.m., with the classic “Rocky Horror Picture Show” showing at 8 p.m.
In search of intelligent life, or keep pressing the space bar
The Curated Storefront is having a year-end party at the quirky and cool Clayton Bailey’s World of Wonders Museum at 225 S. Main Street in downtown Akron. “Into the Unknown: Space!” will feature free space-themed food, drinks and music.
The museum features a collection of work by pop funk sculptor Clayton Bailey – the event invite encourages visitors to come snap a selfie with the “Bots & Bones, Weird Science Laboratory, or Fresh Digs exhibits and the On/Off the Robot,” as well as to ”jolt with Jumping Judy, and see for yourself the authenticated ‘Kaolithic’ Bigfoot bones and artifacts unearthed earlier this summer right here in Akron, Ohio.”
Dressing up in space-themed attire is encouraged. The organizers ask that you let them know you’re coming on their Facebook event page.
