January 16-19, 2026
THE POWER OF INFINITE HOPE
RISING TO MEET THE MOMENT
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Conversations About Akron's Future
Limited Seating | Early RSVP Strongly Suggested
Crucial Conversations Info
Information About Crucial Conversations
🗓️ Date
January - February of 2026
🕰️ Hours
Varied
📍 Venue & Address
Various Sites
Akron, OH
About Crucial Conversations
Join us for the 2026 Crucial Conversations at the MLK Power, Love, and Justice Weekend-Akron. This initiative brings together individuals and organizations to address the current state of Akron and redefine public safety, mental health, and economic stability to ensure we are addressing the effects on wellbeing.
It's an opportunity to make Akron a strong, vibrant, safe and dynamic place to live and work. Crucial Conversations embraces the idea that small conversations can generate big ideas and that those ideas ultimately help shape the future of a region.
Engage with community, participate in insightful dialogues, and discover ways to get involved in local efforts. Your voice matters – let's create a better future together.
Sign up and take the opportunity to connect and collaborate with fellow advocates. Please complete the registration form to reserve your spot in this vital conversation.
Crucial Conversations FAQs
Why should I/my organization participate?
You should participate because your voice matters! This year’s Crucial Conversation will be the main public input process for the 2026 MLK PLJ Impact Report, which informs sustainable solutions to local social justice issues.
If you care about Akron’s neighborhoods, economy, environment, or how we grow - you should participate in Crucial Conversations.
What happens after this Crucial Conversations?
After Crucial Conversations, information from the surveys will be made anonymous and compiled together. MLK PLJ will go through that data and make a report that we’ll share!
Over the next year, all of the input from Crucial Conversations will also be used to cto bring awareness to and inform sustainable solutions to local social justice issues.
Who runs Crucial Conversations?
Crucial Conversations is a project of MLK Power, Love and Justice Weekend-Akron. It is collaboratively led by a team of community leaders and organizations from across Akron. The MLK PLJ Committee works with and advises Crucial Conversations on project direction, execution, recruitment, and much more.
Will there be food available?
Yes, food and beverage will be provided. Be sure to RSVP for an accurate headcount.
Symposium Info
Check Info Below About The Symposium
🗓️ Date
Saturday, January 17, 2026
🕰️ Hours
Doors & Breakfast at 10am | Symposium 11am - 3pm
📍 Venue & Address
John R Buchtel CLC
1040 Copley Rd, Akron, OH 44320
About the Symposium
Comfortable in Your Skin is a transformative experience designed to equip and inspire young women and girls ages 13-24 to embrace dignity, claim their confidence, and walk in their purpose. Comfortable in Your Skin provides a nurturing space where girls and young women can explore who they are, connect with like-minded peers, and grow into the strong, empowered women they're meant to be.
Through a dynamic blend of interactive breakout sessions, hands-on activities, educational learning, therapeutic coping tools, health and wellness exercises, and personal development mentoring, they'll learn a holistic approach to empowerment—helping girls evolve mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Whether they are discovering their creativity, building resilience, or learning practical life skills, Comfortable in Your Skin is a safe space where every girl is seen, valued, and encouraged to run her own race toward greatness.
Symposium FAQs
When does Comfortable In Your Skin take place?
Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 11am.
What can we expect from Comfortable In Your Skin this year?
We anticipate a half day that includes keynotes, panels, as well as an array of engaging activities including hands-on activities, interactive breakout sessions, educational learning, therapeutic coping tools, health and wellness exercises, and personal development mentoring programming.
Where does Comfortable In Your Skin take place?
John R Buchtel CLC at 1040 Copley Rd, Akron, OH 44320
What if my young lady takes medication throughout the day?
Due to the liabilities associated with storing and/or administering medication, we will not hold or store medication.
Will I be able to register at the door?
Yes, however, to expedite the check-in process, we recommend registering in advance.
What age group is Comfortable In Your Skin for?
Girls and young women ages 13–24 are welcome to attend!
Gospel Concert Info
Check Info Below About The Gospel Concert
🗓️ Date
Saturday, January 17, 2026
🕰️ Hours
Doors at 3pm | Concert at 4pm
📍 Venue & Address
The Faith Place
790 Easter Ave, Akron, OH 44307
About the Gospel Concert
Excitement is in the air! Get ready to be part of something extraordinary at the MLK Power, Love and Justice Weekend-Akron's Rising to Meet the Moment Gospel Concert featuring Chicago Mass Choir!
This event isn't just a concert, it's a praise party that you DO NOT want to miss. Don't just meet us there, beat us there! Beat us to The Faith Place at 790 Easter Ave, Akron, OH 44307!
We're guaranteed to have a hand-clapping, foot-stomping time in the Lord!
Gospel Concert FAQs
When does the Gospel Concert take place?
Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 4pm.
Can I bring food into the venue?
No outside food or beverage will be permitted in the church.
Where does the Gospel Concert take place?
The Faith Place at 790 Easter Ave, Akron, OH 44307
Will the concert be streamed or available to watch virtually?
No, the Rising to Meet the Moment Gospel Concert will not have any streaming or virtual viewing options. This is an in-person experience designed for those in the room, and we can’t wait to see you there!
Will I be able to purchase tickets at the door?
If tickets remain, yes. However, only card purchases will be able to be made at the door.
Can I get a refund on my concert ticket purchase?
No refunds/price adjustments. All sales are final and nonrefundable.
Day of Doing Info
Check Info Below About The Youth Day of Doing
🗓️ Date
Monday, January 19, 2026
🕰️ Hours
10am - 2pm
📍 Venue & Address
Various Sites
Akron, OH
About the Youth Day of Doing
Join us for the 2026 Day of Doing, part of the MLK Power, Love, and Justice Weekend-Akron. This event is your chance to engage with organizations focused on power, love and justice. Together, we will strengthen our community bonds and amplify marginalized voices.
Through a day of volunteering, engaging conversations, and collaborative activities, the MLK Power, Love and Justice Weekend-Akron invites you to be a part of collective action. Your participation helps foster a community where opportunity is truly accessible for all.
Register today to contribute to a weekend dedicated to learning, empowerment, and action. Let us stand united in our pursuit of justice.
Empowering Justice and Community
Join us to honor MLK's legacy and drive social change in Akron.
Community Driven Initiatives
★★★★★
Empowering Justice and Community
We honor Dr. King's legacy by fostering collaboration among organizations and citizens to address social justice issues and redefine public safety in Akron.
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Common Goal and Purpose
Days of Empowering Community
Empower Communities
Uniting for Justice and Change in Akron
Community Collaboration
Bringing together organizations and citizens for sustainable social justice solutions in Akron.
Youth Engagement
Elevating student voices to shape the future of Akron through active participation and advocacy.
Gallery
Celebrating MLK's legacy through community engagement.
