International Institute of Akron

10/15/2026

One more day until a spooky IIA fundraiser! Be sure to learn more and get your (free!) tickets at the link below!

We have some super exciting news!! 👻

Local author and editor Kristi Park Kulski has generously put together a FREE movie watch party and Q&A featuring some AMAZING horror creators and authors, and donations raised through the event will benefit the International Institute of Akron!

Sounds like fun? Get your FREE tickets here --> https://www.tickettailor.com/events/reelcommunity/2385642

We’ll be watching Army of Darkness with a Q&A featuring:

• Author Paul Tremblay
• Actor Richard Grove
• Author Grady Hendrix
• Author Christa Carmen
• Author, editor and poet Geneve Flynn
• Author Laura Blackwell
• Author and filmmaker Kourtnea Zinov'yevna
• Author Andromeda Ruins
• Author and editor Kristi Park Kulski
• Podcast host Greg Greene
• Writer and editor Michael K. Ingram

The watch party will take place on Friday, October 16 at 8:00 PM EDT.

Any donations raised before or during the event will support IIA's mission to serve refugees and immigrants throughout Akron and Summit County.

Mark your calendars, invite your horror-loving friends, and join us for a spooky night of Army of Darkness and conversation! 💙

10/10/2026

In honor of Indigenous Peoples Day, the International Institute of Akron’s office will be closed on Monday, October 12. We will reopen with regular hours on Tuesday, October 13.

If you’re interested in spending Indigenous Peoples Day learning more about Indigenous history, culture, and experiences, check out the attached graphic for four documentaries we recommend watching!

We encourage our community to take time to listen, learn, and reflect on the histories and contributions of Indigenous peoples. Learning about these histories is an important part of understanding the full story of the community we live in, and the people who have shaped them.

10/07/2026

Calling fans of all things spooky! Don’t forget to register for our FREE virtual Army of Darkness watch party and Q&A happening next Friday, October 16 at 8:00 PM EDT!

Local author and editor Kristi Park Kulski has brought together an incredible lineup of horror authors, actors, filmmakers, and creators for a spooky night of movie-watching and conversation. All while giving attendees an opportunity to support the International Institute of Akron!

Donations made before or during the event will benefit IIA and help support its mission of serving refugees and immigrants throughout Akron and Summit County.

So, grab your FREE ticket, invite your fellow horror lovers, and join us for a fun night that makes a difference!

Register before next Friday at the link below! https://www.tickettailor.com/events/reelcommunity/2385642

We hope to see you there! 👻💙

10/01/2026

Looking for something fun to do this Sunday? Join Standing Rock Cultural Arts for their 2nd Annual Palestinian Culture Expo! 🇵🇸

This free community event celebrates Palestinian culture through traditional art, music, food, fashion, and storytelling, followed by a screening of the film "Palestine 36".

When: Sunday, October 4, 2026 | 1–4 PM
Where: Standing Rock Cultural Arts, 300 N. Water St., Suite H, Kent, OH

Free and open to the public!

Learn more: https://www.standingrock.net/events/global-celebration-2nd-annual-palestinian-culture-expo

09/29/2026

Don't forget to stop by any of the four amazing businesses before October 10th to get raffle tickets! All funds raised will go to IIA to support our work in making Akron a home for immigrants and refugees!

09/23/2026

Want to support IIA and have a chance to win some awesome prizes?

From now through October 10th, four amazing downtown Cuyahoga Falls businesses are coming together to host a fundraiser raffle benefiting the International Institute of Akron!

Stop by Loud & Clear Music School - Cuyahoga Falls, Shelf Life, The Artful Cricket, or The Haunted Closet to purchase raffle tickets and enter to win a prize package valued at over $400 (!!), including:

🎵 A month of free music lessons from Loud & Clear Music School
📚 A stack of noteworthy books and a $25 Bookshop.org gift certificate from Shelf Life
🌿 A Zen Henna session from The Artful Cricket
👻 A basket of accessories and a $25 gift card from The Haunted Closet

Tickets are $10 for 10 tickets, $20 for 25 tickets, or $30 for 40 tickets!

Every dollar raised will be donated to IIA and will help us continue welcoming and supporting refugees and immigrants in our community through legal services, education, employment support, social services, language access, and more.

We are incredibly grateful to these four businesses for donating their time, products, and services to support IIA and the people we serve. Thank you for showing up for our community! 💙

09/22/2026

We have some super exciting news!! 👻

Local author and editor Kristi Park Kulski has generously put together a FREE movie watch party and Q&A featuring some AMAZING horror creators and authors, and donations raised through the event will benefit the International Institute of Akron!

Sounds like fun? Get your FREE tickets here --> https://www.tickettailor.com/events/reelcommunity/2385642

We’ll be watching Army of Darkness with a Q&A featuring:

• Author Paul Tremblay
• Actor Richard Grove
• Author Grady Hendrix
• Author Christa Carmen
• Author, editor and poet Geneve Flynn
• Author Laura Blackwell
• Author and filmmaker Kourtnea Zinov'yevna
• Author Andromeda Ruins
• Author and editor Kristi Park Kulski
• Podcast host Greg Greene
• Writer and editor Michael K. Ingram

The watch party will take place on Friday, October 16 at 8:00 PM EDT.

Any donations raised before or during the event will support IIA's mission to serve refugees and immigrants throughout Akron and Summit County.

Mark your calendars, invite your horror-loving friends, and join us for a spooky night of Army of Darkness and conversation! 💙

09/17/2026

Happy Day 4 of ! 🎉

Today, we’d like to highlight IIA supporter and local favorite Tiki Underground!

Located in downtown Cuyahoga Falls, Tiki Underground is a tiki bar and restaurant known for its tropical atmosphere, creative drinks, and fun events. They’ve also been a wonderful supporter of the International Institute of Akron and our mission to help refugees and immigrants build lives with dignity, connection, and belonging.

This year, Tiki Underground helped raise funds for IIA through a fundraiser, donating more than $250 to support our work in the community. We’re so grateful for local businesses that choose to use their platforms to give back and support their neighbors!

Thank you, Tiki Underground, for being a welcoming part of our community and for supporting IIA and the people we serve.

If you haven’t visited Tiki Underground yet, be sure to stop by, check them out, and show them some love!💙

09/16/2026

Happy Day 3 of !✨

Today, we’d like to highlight IIA supporter and local author Kristi Park Kulski!

Kristi Park Kulski is a Korean-American author and historian whose writing brings together her love of history, folklore, feminism, and horror. She is the author of Fairest Flesh and House of Pungsu, and editor of Silk & Sinew, which was included on the New York Public Library’s Best New Horror of 2025 list. Kristi also has a new book coming out in Spring of 2027, called Cracks!

Currently, Kristi is coordinating a virtual movie screening and Q&A to raise funds for IIA, and we’re so grateful for her creativity, generosity, and support of our work!

When we asked Kristi why she’s a welcomer, she shared:

“I’m the daughter of an immigrant and I know my mother had to sacrifice a lot to make a better life. And I believe we should all feel belonging in the places we call home. So, friends, welcome, I’m so glad you are here. You make our community strong and beautiful.”

Thank you, Kristi, for being a welcomer and for helping make our community a place where everyone can feel at home.

Be sure to follow Kristi and keep an eye out for more information about the upcoming virtual Army of Darkness screening and Q&A! We are SO excited for this event!💙

09/15/2026

Happy Day 2 of !🙌

Today’s small business supporter of IIA that we’d like to highlight is Bluebird Farms Apothecary, a local business creating sustainable, herbal skincare products!

Over the past year, founder and owner Bridget Cooper has used her small business to support the International Institute of Akron, raising and donating nearly $1,000 through sales of her beautiful products!

When we asked Bridget why she’s a welcomer, she shared:

“I am a welcomer because every human deserves the chance to be seen, supported, and loved. No matter what language you speak or what country you come from, you are welcome in our country and our community.

During the day, I teach English as a Second Language to K-6th students in our public schools. It has been the honor of my life to work with our students and families, teach their children, and learn about their cultures. After school, I make small-batch, natural skincare for our small business- Bluebird Farms Apothecary. It has been such a privilege to use some of the income from our business to support the refugees and immigrants in our community. I truly believe in using our business as a way to give back and support others. All are welcome here!”

Bluebird Farms Apothecary is certainly an IIA certified welcomer, and we couldn’t be more grateful for Bridget’s support of our mission and our community.

If you haven't yet, we highly recommend giving Bluebird Farms Apothecary a follow and checking out some of their amazing products!💙