1999 – AkronReads begins as an offshoot of OhioReads, an education initiative set forth by former Governor Taft. The program begins with six Business Partners including Akron Beacon Journal, Akron Children’s Hospital, Akron General Medical Center, FirstEnergy and OMNOVA Solutions Foundation

2000 – AkronReads welcomes Goodyear and Summa Health System

2002 – Akron Auto Club, the City of Akron, Key Bank and Malcolm Pirnie, Inc. join the AkronReads partnership

2003 – AkronReads welcomes United Way of Summit County and The University of Akron

2004 – H. Peter Burg, former Chairman and CEO of FirstEnergy and member of the OhioReads Business Advisory Council, passes away. Mr. Burg helped establish AkronReads and provided leadership and guidance during its early years

2006 – AkronReads welcomes GPD Associates, Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors and Summit County Juvenile Court

2007 – The H. Peter Burg AkronReads Book Award (link to Book Award page) is established in Mr. Burg’s memory. It is awarded to Akron Public Schools graduating seniors for the purchase of college textbooks

2009 – AkronReads celebrates 10 years of service and has grown to include more than 500 tutors and 24 Business Partners, including the Fairlawn Rotary Club, a new addition to the team

2010 – AkronReads welcomes 21st Century Financial, Inc., I.M.A.G.E Program and Stewart and Calhoun Funeral Home