Release Date: January 23,2025
Mayor Malik Announces Appointments in Neighborhood Assistance and Human Resources
Akron, Ohio, Jan. 23, 2025 — Today, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik announced two Cabinet level appointments. Deputy Director of Service Eufrancia Lash has been promoted to Director of Neighborhood Assistance and Lashawrida Fellows has joined the city as Deputy Director of Human Resources.
“Director Lash has served as a member of Cabinet for the past 5 years and has been a critical piece of our administration,” said Mayor Malik. “As Director of Neighborhood Assistance, he will be more acutely focused on certain areas of our work including Housing and Community Services, Housing Compliance, Nuisance Compliance, vacant buildings, and our 311 services. Previously, Neighborhood Assistance was organizationally part of our Service Department, but this restructuring will help create the Department of Neighborhood Assistance as a standalone department, emphasizing the importance and scope of this critical work. I’m also excited to welcome Lashawrida Fellows to the team. She has an impressive background in Human Resources and will help us add capacity to the HR functions of the city specifically focusing on Employee Relations, Training/ Development, Performance Management, and Policy and Procedure Administration.”
Director of Neighborhood Assistance Eufrancia Lash
Eufrancia Lash is a lifelong resident of Akron, Ohio, and a product of the Akron Public School system. He is a graduate of both Central-Hower High School and the University of Akron, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Organizational Communications with a concentration in Public Relations. He joined the Mayor’s Cabinet in 2019 as Deputy Director of Public Service and Neighborhood Assistance. His professional background includes assignments with Ford Motor Company, The American Road (a Ford Subsidiary), Alliance Inspection Management and Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, Inc. as the Director of Supportive Services. He also has worked as a consultant with his consulting company, the Akropolis Strategies Group. Lash serves on various boards and commissions within the community.
Mr. Lash and his wife, Wanda, have four children, and one grandchild. He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Eta Tau Lambda chapter), and has held multiple leadership roles within that organization. He is also a member of Phoenix Lodge #112, a graduate of Leadership Akron Class 32, President of The 100 Black Men of Akron, Immediate Past President of the University of Akron Black Leadership Alumni Council, and National Alumni Board member, and is involved in many other community and civic endeavors. He is also an avid musician and has served local churches, and is the concert curator for the Ohio and Erie Canal Community Concert Series held every summer.
Deputy Director of Human Resources Lashawrida Fellows
Lashawrida Fellows, MHRM, has over 16 years of experience in human resources in both non-profit and public service. She is a Chicago native and has lived in the greater Akron area for over 27 years. Fellows graduated from John R. Buchtel High School and attended Kent State University where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a focus on business management and finance. She also holds a Master of Science degree in human resource management from Capella University.
Prior to joining the City of Akron, Fellows served as the Deputy Director of Human Resources for the County of Summit, County Executive Office where she managed a team of four and was a human resource business partner for the Department of Finance & Budget, Department of Job & Family Services, Department of Law & Risk Management, Medical Examiner and The Office of Information Technology.
Prior to working in the public sector, Lashawrida served over 11 years in non-profit where she held the roles of Office Manager/Human Resources Specialist for a local drug and alcohol treatment facility and Finance & HR Manager for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Western Reserve.
Lashawrida has a rich history of working and volunteering in the Akron community and has won several awards over the years. She currently serves on the boards of the Black Giving Collective, Habitat for Humanity and the Women’s Endowment Fund. She is a graduate of Leadership Akron Class 36, serves as a Coach for Leadership Akron’s Diversity on Board Program and is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Lashawrida is a proud mother of two, her son (27) and daughter (20) plus their Shorkie, Macie Lou.