Angela Jackson is an award-winning poet, novelist, and playwright. She is also the fifth Illinois Poet Laureate. She spoke to Community Voices about her background in writing, the influence of poetry and song on social justice movements, and she explains some of her different works. Jackson also recited one of her poems called "The Smoke Queen." Read more about Angela and her work as Illinois Poet Laureate here.

The Citizens Club of Springfield met in March 2025 to host a forum called "Building an Illinois State Fair for the Future."

Stephen Emmerich is the President of the Heart of Illinois Chapter of BetterInvesting, and Bobbie Kincaid is one of the non-profit’s directors. They spoke to Community Voices about their personal journeys to becoming knowledgeable investors. They explain how investment clubs have helped them and others understand the stock market and see earnings from their investments. They also shared the four key investment principles promoted by BetterInvesting, emphasizing that anyone can start investing with as little as the cost of a cup of coffee.

Haley Wilson, founder of The Culture Experience LLC, and Molly Frey, owner of The Pasfield House, spoke to Community Voices to announce The Culture Experience's residency at the historic Pasfield House.

Ambassador Edward O’Donnell retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2007 after a 33-year career in foreign service. He spoke to Community Voices about his experiences serving in Latin America, German-speaking Europe and senior positions in Washington D.C. He also shared his insights on the Panama Canal, U.S. tariff strategies, the rise of antisemitism and more.

The Springfield Choral Society will hold a two-day musical festival on March 21-22 called “Songs for the Unsung.” Director of the Springfield Choral Society Jacobsen Woollen and Vice President of the Sangamon County Historical Society Linda Schneider spoke to Community Voices about the festival which will incorporate lesser known stories of women in Springfield’s history. For ticket information visit: https://www.springfieldchoralsociety.org/

Deanna Knight is a local drag queen. She spoke to Community Voices about her journey in drag, the drag scene in Springfield, and the impact of recent political shifts on the community. She also highlighted her efforts to uplift the community through upcoming events Drag Bingo with Otis & Ethel on April 4th and Club La Cage: An Evening of Springfield’s Best Drag Artists on April 5th, featuring talented drag queens and kings.

Frank Lloyd Wright expert Tim Totten and Dana Thomas House Foundation past president Cinda Klickna, spoke to Community Voices about Frank Llyod Wright's Imperial Hotel Tokyo. Tim provides background on Wright's life during the hotel's design, he explains the unique architectural features and the hotel's resilience during the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. Tim also shares about the hotel's legacy and future. Cinda shares details about the upcoming event, "The Perilous & Amazing Journey of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Imperial Hotel – Tokyo," happening at The Inn at 835 on April 11, 2025. Tickets and more information can be found here.

The Honorable Cheri Bustos is a UIS Public Affairs Reporting program graduate, former Congresswoman and recipient of the University of Illinois Alumni Achievement Award. Bustos spoke to Community Voices about how her experience in the PAR program influenced her career and her time as a Congresswoman. She also discussed her achievements in Congress, the importance of bipartisanship and her current role at Mercury Public Affairs.

Capital City Improv will present "Improv Roulette" on March 22 at the Hoogland Center for the Arts. Directors of the show Dave Kimsey and Lacey Oakley spoke to Community Voices about what the audience can expect at the improvised show. They also shared how public workshops introduced them to the comedy troupe and how improv has helped them in other areas of their lives. For ticket information visit: https://www.hcfta.org/tickets