Quarterly Update: Our Summer Journey
September Quarterly Update
Our Summer Journey
“This summer has been one of the most exciting and meaningful seasons in SWAG’s history. From local history trips and our Washington, D.C. experience to culinary programming, fishing, biking, gaming, and our first-ever Math-A-Thon, our students were exposed to new opportunities, new places, and new possibilities. I am especially grateful to Akron Public Schools, the Youth Success Summit, our staff, families, volunteers, donors, and community partners for helping make these experiences possible. As we move into the fall, our goal is to build on this momentum and continue creating opportunities that help our young people learn, grow, build confidence, and discover their potential. This summer showed us what is possible when a community truly invests in its youth.”
Richard Gibson
Executive Director, SWAG
2nd Annual Fundraiser
November 11, 2026
Join us for an exciting evening of culinary competition, great food, and community support at 440 Vernon Odom Blvd. Every ticket helps create meaningful opportunities for Akron youth.
Support Our Mission
Become a sponsor for our upcoming fundraiser and help us continue providing mentorship and education. Following last year's $30,000 achievement, we are raising the bar.
GOAL: $40,000
New Program Highlights
We are growing with new partnerships designed to empower students and families through leadership, trades, and wellness workshops.
Celebrating Our New Program Partners
A special thank you to the organizations that join us in our mission to empower Akron's youth.
New Board Members
Please join us in welcoming our new strategic partners dedicated to expanding our resources.
Job Esau Perry
Magistrate & Defense Attorney of Summit County Pleas Court
Rachel Shelby
Branch Manager, 7/17 Credit Union
Shantial Ferguson
Lead Coordinator, Family Resource Specialist of United Way of Summit & Medina County">
Special Thanks to Our DC Trip Sponsors
We are deeply grateful to our sponsors who made the Washington, D.C. trip a reality. Your support provided our students with an unforgettable cultural, educational experience and a unique chance to explore our nation's history firsthand along with an amazing collaboration with fellow youth programming nonprofit Always Climbing Project. Thank you for investing in their future!
Pro Football Hall of Fame Math-a-Thon
In Partnership with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Our students recently demonstrated incredible focus, teamwork, and determination during the SWAG HBCU Classic Math-A-Thon. Through our partnership with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc and Road To The Classic., students experienced an exciting environment where academics, competition, sports, and mentorship came together to make math engaging and meaningful.
We are proud to congratulate our top three winners: John Knaff, who earned first place and a $100 prize; D'anna West, who earned second place and $50; and Akeba Ohang, our third-place winner. All three students will receive special recognition during the Pro Football HBCU Hall of Fame Game, and every participating student and their family will receive complimentary tickets to attend the game.
We are extremely proud of all of our students for accepting the challenge and showing what they can accomplish when learning is made fun, competitive, and relevant. SWAG hopes to build on the success of this event and bring similar academic competitions and experiences to students throughout our local school districts.
Make a Difference Today
Your generous contributions directly fund our after-school programs, providing the tools and mentorship Akron students need to succeed. Every dollar helps us reach our $40,000 goal.
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