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Our Speaker November 1, 2022
JIM DAVIS
Program Director
Summit County Land Bank
Jim Davis is currently the Program Director for the Summit County Land Bank. Jim oversees and directs both programs and personnel with the mission of “strengthening neighborhoods” in Summit County. Jim has served as Program Director since joining the land bank in early 2018.
Jim’s professional career started with hands on work performing both plant and animal metabolism studies for a Fortune 100 company, after graduating from The Ohio State University (Associates of Applied Science in Agricultural Research). A second degree from The University of Akron (Bachelors of Science in Sales & Marketing) led to a career in real estate, new construction and property development/restoration.
Active in the community, Jim is a member of Portage Lakes Kiwanis and serves on the board of directors for the Portage Lakes Tower. In addition to Kiwanis, Jim has in the past been active with the HBA Serving Summit & Portage Counties.
Jim resides in The City of Green with Wendy, his wife of 28 years. They have one Daughter, Elizabeth.
We published a story in July recognizing our club and individual award recipients.
Past President Steve Buie was unable to attend the event, so this week, he was presented with the official letter and A.Z. Baker Award patch that was earned under his leadership during the 2021-2022 Rotary year.
TheA.Z. Baker Award - The Akron Rotary Club
Akron was one of 29 clubs (out of 50) to receive this award.
The A. Z. Baker Service Awards were established in 1978 at the recommendation of then District Governor James P. Banks, and by action of the District Board of Trustees. This award honors our own "Mr. Rotary," A.Z. Baker, from the Rotary Club of Cleveland who served as Rotary International President in 1955-1956. His dedication and commitment to Rotary truly exemplified SERVICE ABOVE SELF and this award was designed to honor his memory by encouraging all clubs in the district to participate in each of the Avenues of Service which are the foundation of club activity.
The Rotary Club of Akron, during our Tuesday, October 25th meeting, had the opportunity to listen to one of our fellow Rotarians present a unique idea that has blossomed in Akron.
The Curated Storefront was initiated by Rick Rogers. Through Rick's leadership, The Curated Storefront has successfully secured and managed funds to launch an impressive array of installations in downtown Akron. Rick is also responsible for negotiating the use of vacant storefronts and maintaining healthy relations with property owners, who have generously donated their spaces.
To get a true sense of the impact and importance of the Curated Storefront endeavor, I encourage you to view the presentation (click here) to gain a better appreciation of the impact the curated storefronts have had on downtown Akron.
Why the Curated Storefront?
“The Curated Storefront nurtures a thriving cultural ecosystem in Akron by fueling artistic innovation, commissioning public art, expanding access to arts education, and stimulating economic growth.
Curated Storefront activates storefronts by transforming an unoccupied and uninteresting street edge into vibrant art displays to combat blight and create an engaging, safe, and attractive environment.
Exhibits can be seen in multiple buildings in Downtown Akron including: The Polsky Building, O’Neil Building, County Building, Bounce Innovation Hub, The Gothic Building (former City Center Hotel).
Existence of Avant Garden Artist Studio Spaces - Located at the Bounce Innovation Hub.
Clayton Bailey’s World of Wonders Pop-Up Museum – Located in the University of Akron’s Polsky Building.
Outside the Box Shipping Container Murals – Located in the Northside District.
Curated Courthouse – Located in the Summit County Probate Court (209 S. High Street).
National Endowment for the Arts in Cuyahoga Falls.”
What Impact Has the Curated Storefront Had on Our Community?
29 spaces have been activated with art exhibits
118 exhibits were installed in Akron
165 artists have been featured and compensated for their work
13 buildings have been revitalized for developed after programming
Over 3,000 individuals have participated in art-based activities, guided educational tours and virtual live-stream events since the start of Curated Storefronts.
Creating a clean, attractive and brightly lit space gives potential renters and tenants the idea that each empty storefront is a viable option for their business in downtown Akron.”
Rick shared a quote from Jane Jacobs and her book The Death and Life of Great American Cities, “Streets and their sidewalks, the main public spaces of a city, are its most vital organs. Think of a city and what comes to mind? Its streets. If a city’s streets look interesting, the city looks interesting; if they look dull, the city looks dull.”
To check out where many of these Curated Storefronts are located, check out the website at www.CuratedStorefront.org
Rotary Camp is collecting ACME receipts! Help us earn 5% Community Cashback by shopping store brands in Acme Fresh Market. Save your receipts from August 4, 2022 until December 24, 2022.
Receipts can either be mailed to Camp (4460 Rex Lake Dr., Akron OH 44319), or be turned in at the weekly Rotary Meetings.
Thank you ACME for your continued support to the community!
We are happy so many of you are now returning to our live meetings. Everyone seems to be enjoying the new surroundings and food at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 129 South Union Street, Akron, OH 44304.
JIM DAVIS 
storefronts have had on downtown Akron.
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