Global Ties Akron

09/07/2026

08/27/2026

It was wonderful catching up with our longtime friend Amine Zariat!

Amine is the founder and president of Tibu Africa, a nonprofit organization using sport as a powerful tool to advance education, social inclusion, entrepreneurship, and youth development. Since first connecting with Amine through international exchange, Global Ties Akron has been proud to watch his work grow and to see relationships formed through citizen diplomacy develop into lasting collaborations.

During our conversation, we enjoyed hearing about 's continued growth, its expanding work across the continent, and Amine’s ongoing partnership with The University of Akron and Hassan II University of Casablanca.

Moments like this remind us that an international exchange does not end when a visitor returns home. The relationships continue, new ideas take shape, and meaningful partnerships can grow for years to come.

Amine, thank you for taking the time to reconnect with us. We are incredibly proud of all you continue to accomplish!

08/26/2026

Dinner Diplomacy 2026: Pull Up a Chair!

Join us for an evening of conversation, connection, and global friendship.

This September, Global Ties Akron will host a special Dinner Diplomacy gathering at the former home of Rosemary Reymann, a beloved champion of international exchange who welcomed visitors from around the world with warmth, curiosity, and kindness.

We’ll be joined by seven international visitors from Senegal with a professional focus on entrepreneurship and economic development. Together, we’ll share a meal, exchange ideas and perspectives, and discover the connections that unite us across cultures.

We invite community members who:

Enjoy meeting people from different cultures
Are curious about the world
Believe great conversations can happen around the dinner table
May be interested in future home hospitality or international exchange opportunities

No passport required! Just an open mind and a willingness to connect.

This special gathering is also an opportunity to honor Rosemary’s legacy of welcoming the world to Akron while introducing new friends to the rewarding experience of citizen diplomacy.

33 Corson Avenue | Akron, Ohio
Sunday, September 13, 2026
5:00–7:00 p.m.

Seating is limited, so register today: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/lhIO3XTyb-XE829_l2VzZA

08/21/2026

Welcoming the World to Akron!

Global Ties Akron staff had a wonderful time attending The International Center at The University of Akron’s Student Orientation and helping welcome incoming international students to our community!

There’s always something special about meeting students as they begin this exciting new chapter, many of them experiencing Akron and the United States for the first time. We loved sharing a warm welcome, making new connections, and introducing students to Global Ties Akron.

And, of course, no University of Akron event would be complete without a visit from Zippy! It was great to see one of Akron’s favorite faces and share in the excitement of the day.

Welcome to Akron, Zips! We’re so glad you’re here!

08/19/2026

For 50 years, Global Ties Akron has brought the world to our community and shared the best of Akron with the world.

Through host family dinners, school visits, local business meetings, professional exchanges, and countless conversations, members of our community have helped build relationships that cross borders and create lasting connections.

Now, as we continue to celebrate our 50th anniversary, we’re inviting 50 community members to help us carry that legacy forward.

And your gift can have twice the impact!

Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, every gift of $50 or more will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to a total of $2,500, through September 30.

Your support helps make meaningful international exchanges possible right here in Akron, and allows more members of our community to participate in citizen diplomacy.

Will you become 1 of 50?

Join us in celebrating 50 years of connecting Akron to the world, and help us build the next 50!

https://globaltiesakron.org/donate/

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Global Ties Akron. We welcome your gift and will put it to excellent program use!

08/12/2026

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible community partners who helped make the Combating Trafficking and Illegal Migration project such a meaningful experience.

Global Ties Akron was proud to welcome a delegation from India and introduce them to the organizations and individuals working throughout our community to combat human trafficking, support survivors, strengthen law enforcement and community partnerships, and increase public awareness.

Our sincere thanks to OhioMeansJobs Summit County, Summit County Prosecutor’s Office Victim Services Division, Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center, Akron Police Department, Signal Akron, and Harold D’Souza for sharing their expertise, experiences, and commitment to this important work.

These exchanges remind us that some of the world’s most challenging issues are best addressed through collaboration, open dialogue, and the sharing of ideas across borders. We are grateful to our partners for helping us showcase Greater Akron and the power of citizen diplomacy!

07/22/2026

We are deeply honored to receive a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Congresswoman Emilia Sykes in commemoration of Global Ties Akron's 50th Anniversary!

We extend our sincere gratitude to Congresswoman Sykes for this meaningful recognition and for her steadfast commitment to serving the people of Ohio's 13th Congressional District. Through her work to engage communities, foster collaboration, and address issues that matter to Northeast Ohio, she exemplifies the importance of bringing people together in service to the public.

For 50 years, Global Ties Akron has been proud to advance citizen diplomacy by building international understanding through professional exchanges, educational programming, and meaningful people-to-people connections. We are grateful for this recognition of our mission and the countless volunteers, partners, host families, and community leaders whose support has made our work possible.

Thank you, Congresswoman Sykes, for helping us celebrate this milestone! We look forward to continuing to strengthen global relationships while serving our community for many years to come.

07/13/2026

Last Wednesday was filled with curiosity, connection, and plenty of smiles as we welcomed students from ASIA's ICEP Summer Camp to Global Ties Akron!

Hosted at the University of Akron's College of Business, students participated in our Know Your Community, Know Your World program, rotating through country-themed learning experiences that sparked curiosity, encouraged cultural exploration, and celebrated the value of global understanding.

A heartfelt thank-you to our incredible staff and volunteers, whose enthusiasm and dedication made this memorable day possible. We loved introducing Akron's future global citizens to the people, places, and cultures that make our world so unique!

07/09/2026

This past week, Global Ties Akron had the pleasure of welcoming a delegation for America 250: Entrepreneurship in Local Communities. During a memorable Fourth of July holiday week, participants experienced the spirit of Akron and Northeast Ohio while exploring how entrepreneurship, innovation, workforce development, and community partnerships contribute to thriving local economies.

Throughout the week, the delegation met with inspiring community leaders and entrepreneurs. At BOUNCE Innovation Hub, Rose Saborse shared how collaboration and innovation help entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses. Jim Griggy of the Akron Small Business Development Center introduced the many resources available to support small business success; Northside Marketplace offered firsthand perspectives on entrepreneurship, shared retail spaces, and building community through small business.

The group also visited Summit County 4-H Youth Development, where educators discussed youth leadership, agriculture, community development, and the importance of preparing the next generation of leaders. In Youngstown, participants met with representatives from the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber and MAGNET to explore workforce development, advanced manufacturing, and the opportunities shaping the region's future: Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI), America Makes, and also connected with Mayor Derrick McDowell, who shared his vision for community and economic development in Youngstown.

A heartfelt thank you to all of our speakers, hosts, and community partners for generously sharing your time, expertise, and passion. Your hospitality and willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue helped showcase the innovation, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit that make Northeast Ohio such a wonderful place to live, work, and grow.

07/07/2026

A heartfelt thank you to the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber for welcoming our delegation and showcasing the innovation, collaboration, and community spirit that define the Mahoning Valley.

From discussions on advanced manufacturing and workforce development to conversations about Youngstown's continued transformation, our visitors gained valuable insights into the partnerships shaping the region's future.

We are grateful to the Regional Chamber, Mayor Derrick McDowell, Barb Ewing, Megan Malara, and all who shared their time and expertise. Special thanks to our Board member, Darlyn McDermott, for helping make this meaningful exchange possible.

These conversations are what citizen diplomacy is all about: building connections, exchanging ideas, and creating lasting partnerships that extend far beyond a single visit. Thank you for being such wonderful hosts!