For 30 years Juneteenth has been celebrated by Springfield residents. This year Juneteenth Inc. has organized eight days of events and activities to commemorate the holiday. Co-founder and director Cherena Douglass and Director of the UIS Center for Lincoln Studies Jacob Friefeld spoke to Community Voices about the events including a special presentation by Pulitzer Prize winner and MacArthur Genius Annette Gordon-Reed.For more information about the Juneteenth events visit: https://www.juneteenthinc.org/To sign up for the presentation featuring Annette Gordon-Reed visit: https://www.uis.edu/event/juneteenth-annette-gordon-reed

Cathy Doyle and her daughter Addelyn Shawver, Legacy of Giving Music Festival volunteer coordinators, visit Community Voices to discuss the concert event and how net proceeds benefit nonprofits.

The Central Illinois Volunteerism Conference is an annual event about volunteers, organized by volunteers. The conference is scheduled for June 28 and will feature a multi-generational panel of volunteers, break out sessions and a keynote speaker. For more information visit: https://www.civconference.org/

After a two-year search, the Illinois Symphony Orchestra has found its new music director. Taichi Fukumura will conduct the Illinois Symphony Orchestra in its next season. Fukumura and Executive Director Trevor Orthmann spoke to Community Voices about the search process, the vision for the Illinois Symphony Orchestra moving forward and the Sip & Sounds series offered June through September.

Shelly Tulo is a partner in the local band Tulo+Eads with Mike Eads. They open the June 6, 2024 Levitt AMP Springfield Music Series. Tulo also works at the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance where she serves as the director of marketing and communications. She talks about how Levitt AMP is one of the projects that helps us 'Thrive in SPI.'

Lenny Pettinelli of the Asheville, North Carolina band Empire Strikes Brass previews the show and talks about the group before headlining the second Levitt AMP concert June 6.

LISTEN to what life is like for some in the greater Springfield Muslim community.

The American Heart Association is an organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. They also promote healthier lives. This work is done through education, research and advocacy. Catherine Henebry, Director of School Engagement & Springfield Heart & Stroke Walk, along with Lauren Peters, AHA Illinois Government Relations Director, spoke to Community Voices about the story behind their Nation of Lifesavers initiative, legislation surrounding cardiac emergency response plans in schools, and they shared stories of how CPR has saved lives. They also talked about the annual Springfield Heart & Stroke Walk happening at Southwind Park on June 9. For registration and more details click here.

Girard's Devin Williams travels making a living as a bluesman. He started with a love of metal then found his expression in the Delta blues. Along the way he advanced as a contestant in American Idol. He opens for Paul Beaubrun at the kickoff the the 2024 Levitt AMP Springfield Music Series May 30.

Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach is a local, non-profit organization which has sent medical aid to 100 countries in need. Last year 20,000 patients worldwide received healthcare with equipment and supplies provided by Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach. Executive Director Erica Smith spoke to Community Voices about the impact of the organization, future plans and the upcoming “Around the World” celebration on June 6. Smith also shared stories from her recent trip to Ukraine and what it was like to travel among air raids.