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Akron Featured In College Retention Documentary

Ideastream Public Media | By Emma Keating,
Tyler Thompson
Published November 13, 2018 at 6:00 PM EST
UNLIKELY will feature the cities of Los Angeles, Boston, Atlanta and Akron.
http://threeframemedia.com/unlikelyfilm/
UNLIKELY will feature the cities of Los Angeles, Boston, Atlanta and Akron.

Two Los Angeles film makers are featuring Akron as a part of their new documentary, UNLIKELY.

Jaye and Adam Fenderson found that 50 percent of students who start college, don’t finish. Their film looks at college success and achievement across four cities – Los Angeles, Boston, Atlanta and Akron.

Director and co-producer Jaye Fenderson says they heard about Akron and once they got here, they fell in love.

“There’s history of dedication to education attainment and caring for its citizens and it really showcases itself in the way in which the city cares for one another and the collaborative spirit between not only education and non-profits, but the city itself, government and the individuals that make up the town.”

Fenderson says they found Akron at the top of a national contest rewarding $1 million to the city that could increase its college attainment rates by the best percentage.

The documentary features Akron native LeBron James, former mayor Don Plusquellic and Executive Director of the LeBron James Family Foundation Michele Campbell.

UNLIKELY will premier Tuesday night at the Akron Civic Theater at 6:00 p.m.

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Emma Keating
Emma Keating is a junior journalism major with a minor in political science. Between working for the Kent Stater, TV2 and Cleveland Magazine, she has experience in newspaper, magazine, multimedia and broadcast journalism, though writing will always be her one true love. Keating hopes to use her journalism to give a voice to the voiceless in her future career, eventually moving to Washington, D.C.
See stories by Emma Keating
Tyler Thompson
Tyler Thompson was a reporter and on-air host for 89.7 NPR News. Thompson, originally from northeast Ohio, has spent the last three years working as a Morning Edition host and reporter at NPR member station KDLG Public Radio and reporter at the Bristol Bay Times Newspaper in Dillingham, Alaska.
See stories by Tyler Thompson