President Scarborough spoke with Chris Horne for almost an hour and a half about the University of Akron's future and how his plans to dramatically increase enrollment impact the low overall six-year graduation rates at the university (41%) and the embarrassingly low graduation rates for its black students (16%). 

Full interview with Dr. Scott Scarborough, president of The University of Akron

In this episode of Akro-preneurs, host Roger Riddle speaks with local business owner Michael Owen, who helped create the neighborhood we know now as Northside. That was the name of the bar he owned there and that bar gave its name to the area. Hear from Michael about how far Akron has come since he got started, and learn more about what he thinks is yet to come.

The Devil Strip’s small business and entrepreneur reporting has been made possible thanks to the support of The Fund for Our Economic Future and the Burton D. Morgan Foundation. You can learn more about being an Akron entrepreneur by visiting akronisforentrepreneurs.org

Akro-Preneurs, Episode 1 - Michael Owen

Join our host Roger Riddle as he talks to Karen Starr, who is a co-founder of GAINS (Greater Akron Innovation Network for Sustainability), an organizer of PorchRokr, co-founder of Akron Craft + Social Club, co-author of upcoming book, "If This Wallpaper Could Talk", a Knight Arts Challenge winner and a singer in local band, Roxxymoron, among other things. Because she's so arts-oriented, civic-minded and ecologically devoted, you could be forgiven for forgetting she's also an entrepreneur. She and her husband, Jon Haidet, own Hazel Tree Interiors which has become a landmark on West Market Street, thanks to the Akron roots mural facing downtown and the enormous metal sculpture tree facing Highland Square. 

Settle in for another amazing podcast produced by Roger Riddle for The Devil Strip, which was made possible with support from The Fund for Our Economic Future and the Burton D. Morgan Foundation.

Karen Starr on Akro-preneurs, Episode 2

It's that time again! Our host Roger Riddle returns with a new episode of Akro-preneurs, a deep look at the stories behind the ways creative Akronites turned their ideas into realities. In Episode 3, we meet Kirsten Van Nostran, who founded Summit Acupuncture in 2002 to help locals with pain management. She's certified, licensed and holds a Master of Science Degree in Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine's New York Campus, but it's what's she's learned as a small business owner that caught our attention. You can learn more about her company at summitacupuncture.com. Enjoy the show, which was made possible with support from The Fund for Our Economic Future and the Burton D. Morgan Foundation.

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