CELEBRATING COMMUNITY AND SHARED CIVIC POWER

Join us October 31 for a very special Civic Saturday featuring guest speaker Eric Liu, founder of Citizen University and the original Civic Saturday!

  • 10:00AM coffee, conversation, connection

  • 10:30AM seated program

  • 12:00PM Civic Matchmaking: connect w/resources + make a difference

First 100 people to arrive will receive a copy of Eric Liu's new book, Live Like A Citizen, compliments of Citizen University. Come at 10AM for coffee from Portal West, snacks, and refreshments.

Stay afterward for Civic Matchmaking with Unify Akron, League of Women Voters, North Hill CDC, Community Legal Aid, Summit Recovery Hub, Parents United for Public Schools, People Feeding People, Buckeye Veterans Coalition, and other local groups offering resources and ways to make a difference.

Civic Saturday october 31, 2026

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the civic saturday community

artists

catalysts

Helpers

hosts

The Civic Saturday experience

  • Civic Readings

    Neighbors read from texts that have shaped our nation and our values. We’re talking everything from The Bill of Rights to Beyoncé.

  • Civic Reflections

    Community leaders and civic catalysts share insights and ideas to challenge and inspire. Then we get together in Civic Circle to talk about it.

  • Civic Circles

    We circle up with strangers and friends to share our perspectives on relevant issues in the community and come up with ways to make an impact.

  • Civic Matchmaking

    Connect with powerful community groups and organizations offering resources and support, and find out how you can make a difference too.

  • Music and Poetry

    Where would we be without art? Local musicians lead us in song and poets share their thought-provoking words.

  • Coffee and Conversation

    Every good party ends up in the kitchen and Civic Saturday is no exception. Enjoy treats from local bakers and fine coffee provided by our friends at Portal West.

Civic Saturdays are joyful neighborhood gatherings celebrating community and shared civic power. Hosted by everyday Akronites, each Civic Saturday is a unique experience infused with civic joy and love.

The American Academy of Arts and Sciences defines civic joy as “a commitment to creative possibility in the face of pain and struggle” and civic love as “the bond of trust and affection that turns strangers into neighbors and place into home.”

In our first two years of Civic Saturday Akron, we’ve gone from strangers to neighbors as we’ve dreamed up creative possibility together, in the face of a lot of pain and struggle in our city. That’s civic joy and civic love in action.

why we gather

At Civic Saturday we share our perspectives and come to a deeper understanding of the challenges we face in our communities so we can co-create the change we wish to see. 

We believe this intentional practice of gathering strengthens civic culture and activates shared civic power. Together, we become responsible, informed, and active participants in shaping the future of our city and our nation.

In 2026, we’re continuing to gather, expanding our community of hosts and organizers through the Citizen University Civic Saturday Fellowship. We’re excited to see more Civic Saturday-style events popping up across Akron.

Join our email list for invitations to upcoming Civic Saturdays and other ways to connect.