Around Akron with Blue Green

Akron, Ohio shines on new PBS TV show: “Around Akron with Blue Green”

The best that Akron has to offer is getting its very own broadcast television show on Western Reserve PBS this October 3rd at 9:00 p.m. Blue Green (yes, his name is Blue Green) is bringing his love of all things Akron to a 30-minute monthly TV show, “Around Akron with Blue Green.”

Green says, “The goal of the show is to shine a spotlight on all of the good things that Akron has to offer.” Akron has about 200,000 residents and Western Reserve PBS is the only television station that represents the city. Little Rock, Ark., is virtually the same size of Akron and has at least nine stations to represent its unique population, including ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, PBS and Univision, just to name a few. He adds: “In Akron, we have a small group of people producing television programming and that needs to change.”

Green is taking on the role of host, producer, director, videographer, editor, graphics designer, social media consultant and fundraiser. “It’s not easy at all; it’s more than a full time job,” he says. “It’s my life, but I love the city with every ounce of my soul.” He came to Akron in 1991 to attend the University of Akron, where he took every class he could dealing with storytelling, television and film production. Instead of moving out of Akron, Green decided to build something better here.

He says he feels strongly that, “It’s simply not acceptable that Akronites are not telling their own stories. I’m tired of other cities telling negative stories about my city. We no longer have television stations nor do we have local television programming and news to spotlight what’s unique about our city.” He adds that Akron is a wonderful city to live, work, stay and play in, but he feels “to truly be a great city, we need our own Akron-based news and local television programming, where we control the narrative.”

When someone comes to Akron to visit and stays in one of the new hotels, the TVs in their room have no local programming. So an outsider who is looking for something Akron-related on TV will find absolutely nothing but negative stories, says Green. “I’m tired of seeing negative stories, when there is so much positivity in our city. I want to show the children of this city that Akron has a rich history and culture and that they should be proud to live in such an amazing city.”

Green has been creating video stories for over 20 years in the Akron area. He co-founded The Akronist, created TV shows for Time Warner Cable, made several films in the Akron area and worked as a citizen journalist for Akron and Current TV.

Generally TV shows are created by a production crew consisting of several specialists to make it all magically come together. But Green’s style is best known as Guerrilla Style filming or a minimalist style with little to no help whatsoever. Ten to 20 years ago, it was not possible nor was it affordable for one person to create a television show. Digital technology has been the great equalizer, making it easier for a small crew to create their own stories.

Each show will consist of four stories, which breaks down into an entertainment/dining segment, an art/culture segment, a history/business segment and a movers & shakers segment. Episode one will air October 3rd at 9:00 p.m. on Western Reserve PBS and will spotlight Ms. Julie’s Kitchen & Gardens, the History of the Rubber Duck in Akron, Evan Delahanty of Peaceful Fruits and Muralist Jessica Lofthus.

Look for Around Akron with Blue Green this fall, October 3rd at 9:00 p.m. on Western Reserve PBS for all the great stories and movers & shakers coming out of Akron. Tell your friends and your family to follow “Around Akron with Blue Green” on Facebook and Instagram.