Last month, I had the privilege of graduating from Leadership Akron Signature Program – Crew 42. Spending ten months with our top cityโs leaders reminded me that global influence begins with local strength. This July, Adriane, Libby, and I joined community partners at the Akron Community Foundationโs 71st Annual Meeting to celebrate the organizations making our region work.
Global Ties Akron belongs in these civic spaces. When international delegates arrive in Akron, they study our businesses, visit our schools, and spend money in our hotels, restaurants, cultural venues, and retail stores.
While national grants bring these leaders to our doorstep, they cover only a portion of our actual operating costs. We rely on local contributions to fund additional program expenses, home hospitality coordination, and local staff hours.
Our small but mighty team converts national exchanges into local assets for our schools, neighborhoods, and businesses.
Your local support is what keeps this work moving. Pleaseย consider supporting our summer programming today.
In this issue:
- Bringing Global Voices to Local Classrooms: Hosted 20 students and support staff from ASIAโs ICEP Summer Camp at the University of Akron’s College of Business through ourย Know Your Community, Know Your World program.
- Freedom 250: Local Entrepreneurship. Hosted 6 international business leadersย from the Freedom 250 initiative in partnership with the Meridian International Center.
- Save The Dates!
[new!]ย Combatting Trafficking & Illegal Migration Delegation
August 5-11, 2026 | 5 Visitors | India
Home Hospitality Appreciation
August 9, 2026 | 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM |ย Mustard Seed Cafe
Creating Opportunities through Entrepreneurship and Commercial Development
September 12-16, 2026 | 5 Visitors | Senegalese Entrepreneurs
[new!]ย Dinner Diplomacy
September 13, 2026 | 5:00 PM
Join us at the home of the late Rosemary Reymann for dinner with 5 Senegalese visitors. Space is limited.ย Register early to reserve your seat.
Thanksgiving Celebration with an International Flair
November 15, 2026 | 5:00โ7:30 PM | Location TBD
– Evelyn Williams, PhD, Ed.
Global Ties Akron, Executive Director