ASIA to host second Mayoral Candidates Forum to engage Akron’s multicultural voters  

AKRON, OH, February 24, 2023- ASIA is hosting their second Mayoral Candidates Forum for Akron’s candidates running for mayor in 2023, in partnership with Urban Vision.  

The second Akron Mayoral Candidates Forum will take place on Saturday, March 18th, from 1PM to 3PM. It will be held at Urban Vision’s sanctuary at 749 Blaine Ave, Akron, OH 44310. All seven of Akron’s mayoral candidates have been invited, and so far, the following candidates have confirmed their participation: Mark Greer, Shammas Malik, Keith Mills, Tara Mosley, Joshua Schaffer, and Jeff Wilhite.  

Doors will open at 12PM for a public meet and greet with the mayoral candidates and a free lunch while supplies last. The forum will begin at 1PM, and ASIA’s CEO, Elaine Tso, will moderate. Audience members will get a chance to ask questions to the candidates and hear their responses. Additionally, the moderator will ask questions to the candidates from ASIA’s first Forum on behalf of citizens who could not ask the questions that day. Nepali, Ka’Ren, and Spanish interpreters will be available for community members who might need such services.  

ASIA’s first Mayoral Candidates Forum, which took place on January 14th, drew over 150 community members. The goals of these Forums are to connect the candidates with community members, listen to their voices and concerns, and to increase voter engagement and civic participation amongst the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, newly naturalized citizens, and new voters.   

ASIA’s CEO, Elaine Tso shared, "Community members have told us that they do not vote because they do not know who to vote for, so we are bringing the candidates to their neighborhood to address their questions and concerns.” 

ASIA is the largest health and human services agency that serves, supports, and advocates for the Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) community of Northeast Ohio. ASIA focuses on providing linguistically and culturally centered services for immigrants and refugees. 

MEDIA CONTACT: Anna Chen  

EMAIL: achen@asiaohio.org  

PHONE: (216) 410-3889 

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