Dr. Richard Gilman-Opalsky is a professor of political science at the University of Illinois Springfield. He sat down with Community Voices to discuss his career and provided insight into what we can learn from riots. He also shared his experience presenting at the TEDx presentation held at the UIS campus and his love of jazz music.

The University of Illinois Springfield UNI 101 class has spent the fall semester working with Community Voices to create their own podcasts. The class was separated into three groups to analyze the pathos, logos and ethos in Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail." Three members of the class Anton Aduwa-Emovon, Ryan Ames and Nate Turner spoke to Community Voices about the challenges and rewards of putting together the podcasts as a class project.

Dr. Gina Lathan is the President of the Route History Museum in Springfield, Ill. She spoke to Community Voices about the many stories shared at the museum including those from African-American business owners and travelers along Route 66. The museum also features an exhibit on Green Book, the book written by Victor Hugo Green which shared safe locations for Black travelers to visit while traveling through parts of America.

"Gem of the Ocean" is a play written be well-known playwright August Wilson, whose plays "Fences" and "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" have been turned into feature films. Springfield Theatre Centre is producing "Gem of the Ocean," which will fun the last two weeks of February. The show's director, Reggie Guyton, spoke to Community Voices about the show and how its characters discover what it means to live freely.

Computer Banc is a local non-profit organization which refurbishes donated computers to be used by those in need. David Fowler is the Executive Director of the organization, and he spoke to Community Voices about the need for refurbished computers in the community, nationally and internationally. Fowler also shared how businesses can donate their computers and who is eligible to purchase a discounted, refurbished computer from Computer Banc.

Alice Roate is the executive director of the Logan County Tourism Bureau. She spoke with Community Voices about the Route 66 attractions in Logan County as well as the historic locations where Abraham Lincoln once stood.

Callie Estes is the owner of Jo Jo Jewelry. She started her business during the pandemic when she lost her job as a nanny. Her jewelry is sold in several shops in the Central Illinois community. She spoke to Community Voices about being a young entrepreneur and how she learned to promote and expand her business.

Mike Clark is the founder of Ecofluent in Springfield, Ill. His organization works to promote sustainable agriculture and provide a food source for those facing food insecurity. The organization has planted approximately 200 trees in the Springfield neighborhoods which historically struggle financially. He spoke to Community Voices about how planting sites are selected and plans to expand in the future.

Kimberly Conner is a writer, producer, director and filmmaker. She spoke to Community Voices about the inspiration for her films and wanting to spread awareness for issues such as breast cancer, HIV and AIDS. She also shared from start to finish, how she creates a film.

Kadejia Berkley is the co-owner of Jerk Shop Go, a restaurant in downtown Springfield and in the White Oaks Mall that features Caribbean cuisine. She spoke to Community Voices about how her family started their business in Chicago and has since opened locations in Springfield and Atlanta.