Akron Sneaker Academy

06/10/2026

After a successful pilot, we are proud to share the impact, insights, and learnings from Saving Soles. 👟

What started as a simple idea—using sneaker restoration as a tool for healing, identity, and violence prevention—became something deeply powerful. We saw young men fully engaged, opening up, taking pride in their work, and beginning to see themselves through a new lens: valuable, capable, and full of purpose.

This pilot proved that when culture meets care, real transformation can happen.

The data and feedback show us that Saving Soles has the potential to grow into a high-impact, scalable program that can serve more students, schools, and communities. This is only the beginning.

We’re excited to build from here. 👟✨

05/30/2026

SAVING SOLES
“NOTHING IS WASTED.”
PILOT / MAY 21 2026
AKRON, OH
🎥

05/29/2026

WE DID IT. 🖤👟✨
This school year, Akron Sneaker Academy officially launched our brand new pilot program: Saving SOLES — and we’re still reflecting on how powerful this moment was.

At Leggett CLC, we served 52 fourth & fifth grade boys through a healing-centered experience rooted in identity, value, and purpose — because we believe when young people understand who they are, it becomes the foundation for positive decision-making and a healthier future.

Through hands-on sneaker restoration, students learned how to clean and care for their shoes — and the meaning behind it went even deeper. One student shared:

“Cleaning my shoes is like cleaning my life.”

That’s what Saving SOLES is about: restoring more than sneakers — restoring confidence, pride, and possibility.

We are deeply grateful for the partners who helped make this pilot possible:
🤝 Leggett CLC ()— thank you for your incredible partnership and belief in our youth
👟 — thank you for helping provide shoes for every participant
💛 Foundation — thank you for your program support that helped bring this to life
🏙️ City of Akron () — thank you for your support through the Sports & Wellness Grant, investing in innovative youth wellness solutions in our community

This is only the beginning. More to come. 💪🏿✨

Photo credit 📸:

05/21/2026

TODAY WAS SPECIAL. 👟❤️
Akron Sneaker Academy launched our brand new pilot program Saving SOLES at Leggett CLC with 50 students (fourth & fifth grade boys)— and it was truly one of the most transformative experiences of the year.

We invited these young men into a conversation about healing, identity, and value… and then put it into action with hands-on sneaker restoration, teaching them how to clean, restore, and take pride in what they carry.

And the moment that meant everything: every participant left with a fresh pair of kicks — a symbol of a fresh start, and a real need met in a community that deserves more.

Huge gratitude to the people who made today possible:
💯 & — thank you for volunteering and pouring into our boys
⭐️ (Leggett CLC counselor) — thank you for believing in this and helping us bring it to life
🔥 — , , and — thank you for the partnership and for helping us put fresh sneakers on our students’ feet

This is only the beginning. More to come when photos drop. 🧼👟✨

05/09/2026

Shoutout to our guy Jaeden Dancy — aka Coach Jae!! 🎉👟🔥

Coach Jae is a graduating senior from Walsh Jesuit High School and has been an absolute standout volunteer with Akron Sneaker Academy — showing up big for Sneaker Camp and our Sole of Akron History Forum with leadership, consistency, and heart. 🙌🏾❤️

And now the BIG news… Coach Jae was accepted to the University of Michigan on a FULL RIDE scholarship!! 🏆〽️💙

We’re beyond proud of you, Coach Jay. Thank you for serving our community and setting the standard. The future is bright—and you’re just getting started. 🚀✨

Drop a 🎓 or a 〽️ in the comments to celebrate him!

05/04/2026

Sneaker Camp 3.0 is live… and this year, our youth are about to do the unthinkable. 👟⚡️

Not because someone “saved” them—because when you give young people the room, the tools, and the belief, they rise. They create. They lead. They surprise even themselves.

This is our 3rd year of Sneaker Summer Camp, and we’re going bigger: 50 seats for a FREE three-week experience that will push creativity, confidence, and real-world skills to the next level.

✅ Open to rising 6th–8th graders in Akron Public Schools
👀 More spots will open soon for students outside the district
💯 No cost to families

📅 July 6–24, 2026
📍 I PROMISE Institute (inside InfoCision Stadium), University of Akron

🔗 Registration link in our bio
🙌🏾 Volunteers needed! DM or email us to get involved.

🗓️ SAVE THE DATE: Sneaker Camp Expo — July 23 🎉
Come witness students pitch a sneaker concept and show the community what brilliance looks like in real time.

This summer, we’re not just doing camp.
We’re building proof. 🚀

05/01/2026

Our Founder Dominique K. Waters will share his story, personal transformation, and journey to entrepreneurship! 🎉🎉

Leadership on Main is about having conversations with Greater Akron's change-makers.

Join us on May 20 as we welcome Dominique Waters, Founder, Executive Director & Chief Storyteller, Akron Sneaker Academy.

🗓️ Wednesday, May 20, 2026
⏰ 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
🏟️ The Duck Club by Firestone at 7 17 Credit Union Park
📍300 South Main StreetAkron, OH, 44308

🔗 Register: https://www.leadershipakron.org/lom-2026/may-26

10/17/2025

👟 The “Sole of Akron” is now LIVE on YouTube! 🎥🔥

Experience this powerful storytelling experience—a journey through Akron’s past, present, and future told through the lens of sneaker culture.

In partnership with , FirstEnergy Foundation, and the Akron Bicentennial, this one-of-a-kind conversation celebrates our city’s roots, resilience, and reimagination.

Hosted by Dominique Waters, Founder of , this is more than an event—it’s a movement.

Tap the link in bio to watch the full episode and join the story that’s still being written. 📖🏙️❤️

10/02/2025

As we celebrate this life of this week for his birthday, here is an exclusive behind the scenes look at some of his sneaker designs during his time at Louis Vuitton.

Virgil exemplifies the mission of Akron Sneaker Academy, the revealed brilliance and talent from unexpected sources. He was instrumental in bringing streetwear culture to the global luxury stage, and his influence on sneaker culture will live on forever.

Source: Founder of ASA,