Akron Life December 2023

photo by Tyron Hoisten

BEFORE HIS SPEECH ON EQUITY, SHAMMAS MALIK joins the people in the crowd. Wearing a crisp white button-down shirt and dark slacks, the then-presumptive Akron mayor shakes supporters’ hands and introduces himself to new faces at Robinson Community Learning Center Sept. 14. While he is only 32 and younger than most people at the Yours and Mine Akron United Communities Civics Organization meeting, he speaks with firm confidence and a deep understanding of Akron when he takes the stage. He pleads for more community policing to stop violence, more ways to invest in youth and more jobs so people stay in the city. Afterward, several audience members’ hands shoot up with questions. Do you have a plan for the middle generation, ages 25 to 45? How do you get them more involved in the community? asks one woman. “My whole life I’ve watched a lot of my friends and classmates leave,” says the Northwest Akron resident and native. “I was over at [Archbishop] Hoban [High School] Monday because we need to get these young kids inspired and excited about civics. Now, they are excited and inspired to leave. We have to push back on that.” Malik won the Democratic Akron mayoral primary May 2 with 43 percent of the votes over six other candidates. With no Republican or independent challengers, it made him the presumptive mayor, and it became official in November. He is shattering barriers — he is the youngest mayor, first Muslim mayor and first mayor of color in Akron. His election represents a turning point from the old guard of previous Akron mayors — including 60-year-old Dan Horrigan and Don Plusquellic, who served before him for 28 years and was 65 years old at the end of his term.

“The vote for someone who is not the traditional white male profile is something that we as a community should celebrate,” says Tracy Carter, one of four Malik transition team co-chairs. “We are welcom ing the next generation of diverse leaders to serve Akron.” The Ward 8 Akron City Council member’s message of transpar ent government that represents all people and parts of the city to make changes in safety, education, housing and jobs resonated with Akronites. His ceaseless hard work brought victory. Impressively, he and his campaign team covered every city ward — and knocked on a staggering 10,000-plus doors. That visibility led to him winning seven out of 10 wards. While some might say his age equates to a lack of experience, residents are looking for a fresh, energetic leader. “A lot of older people said, I want to see young people embracing the city ,” says Malik, who has been on council for four years. “People want change.” With an unprecedented nearly eight months to prepare for his tran sition into office Jan. 1, he and his team have been listening to as many voices as possible — taking over 250 meetings. “He had a hunger and fight,” Carter says. “He had a desire to talk to anyone — executives, laborers, stay-at-home parents, educators, busi ness leaders, officers — so that he can fully understand what Akron wants and needs.” But he takes office as Akron is dealing with significant challenges. It’s still bouncing back from pandemic losses and years of construction, confronting racial tensions surrounding the killing of Jayland Walker by Akron police, reeling from significant job cuts and grappling with gun violence and an opioid crisis. The city continues to redefine itself after multiple rubber factories closed and thousands of workers left decades ago. “There are systems that don’t work well,” he says, adding the city has lost about 1,000 workers over the past 15 years or so. “Responsible,

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akronlife.com | DECEMBER 2023