What’s in this guide 👇🏿
Launched in November 2023, Akron Documenters is part of Signal Akron, the second newsroom in the Signal Ohio network of independent, community-led, nonprofit newsrooms. Signal Ohio is one of the largest local nonprofit news startups in the country, with more than 50 staff and more than $15 million raised so far. Signal Ohio is backed by a coalition of Ohio organizations, community leaders and the American Journalism Project.
At Signal Akron, we produce authoritative, trustworthy daily journalism across a range of topics, including government, education, public safety, health, and the arts. We’re also home to Akron Documenters, a group of Akron residents who are trained and paid to cover public meetings.
Together, we are a primary source of information for residents who may not otherwise have access to trusted local journalism, and we’re available online, via email, and on social platforms. Our website features explainers and guides to help residents navigate life in Akron, and it serves as a growing civic tool for our city. We also hold community gatherings and trainings, and we’re present every day in Akron communities.
Signal Ohio is a nonprofit initiative formed by a coalition of Ohio-based organizations and the American Journalism Project. Our newsrooms in Signal Cleveland, Signal Akron, and Signal Statewide newsrooms are just the beginning (Signal Cincinnati is coming soon). We’re on a mission to provide local news for Ohio that is reflective of all our local communities, and anchored in their needs. Our journalism equips residents to be more civically engaged in the places where they live.
Each of Signal Ohio’s local newsrooms have a Documenters program: Cleveland Documenters, Akron Documenters, and Cincinnati Documenters. Each program collaborates with its newsroom to share information Documenters raise up on assignment, and to “signal boost” Documenters’ work.
Akron Documenters is a growing community, and we love to hear from you!
For questions about the program, please reach out to [email protected] or call 330-800-4138.
Sign up for Signal Akron’s newsletters **here.**
Kevin Dilley leads the Akron Documenters program at Signal Akron, connects with the community and supports the journalists in the newsroom. With a servant leader mindset, he brings more than 30 years of experience in local journalism, media consulting, and education to Akron. Editor & Publisher selected Kevin as top media leader in their “25 over 50” class in 2022. Members of the group were selected for their “strong work ethic, transformational mindsets, commitment to journalistic and publishing excellence, and their ability to lead during challenging times.” Kevin is committed to serving the residents of Akron with an optimistic, inclusive, and innovative mindset to help elevate civic engagement and local journalism.
Welcome to the community! We’re excited you’re ready to take your first assignment.