Vanessa Ferguson

Dr. Nicole Florence and Maria Ansley are the filmmakers behind the documentary “No Title for Tracey,” which tells the story of Florence’s sister who was not given the title of valedictorian due to her race. Florence and Ansley shared their inspiration for the film and other projects in the works.

Amanda Riggenbach was the project manager for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Tumultuous 2020 Oral History Project. She spoke to Community Voices about the process of interviewing people for the project and what she learned along the way.

Matt Scherer is the owner of Surf Springfield. He spoke to Community Voices about how he teaches people to surf using Lift eFoil electric surfboards, and he explained the safety and skill required to use them.

Director of Culinary Programs and Operations at Lincoln Land Community College Sheridan Lane spoke to Community Voices about the culinary opportunities as well as the dining offerings at the LLCC campus. The Bistro to Go Café will be open Sept. 7 through Oct. 6, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Then in October the café will transform into a dine-in restaurant open Oct. 25 through Nov. 17 (closed Nov. 1).

Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach is a medical services and recovery organization that collects and refurbishes medical supplies and equipment that are sent around the world to help medical facilities in need. Executive Director Erica Smith and Coordinator of Biomedical Engineering Ratish Kumar spoke to Community Voices about the scale of operations and the feedback they receive from recipients of medical equipment.

President of the downtown Kiwanis Club of Springfield Jack Dunn and Literacy and Foundation Director Amanda Brown spoke to Community Voices about the children’s libraries installed at local laundromats. They also shared the other services the Kiwanis club provides the community including golf training for children and teddy bears for children transported in ambulances.

Amy Beadle is the marketing manager at the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau for the City of Springfield. She spoke to Community Voices about volunteering with local non-profit and career development organizations in Springfield. She also shared the plans for the Illinois Women in Leadership Symposium and what she is looking forward to at the event.

Angela Holland and Aubrey Johnson are the owners of Velvet & Rosemary. They spoke to Community Voices about how they started their business and gave details about their upcoming fashion show. They also shared the behind-the-scenes story of styling the country music group Chapel Hart.

William Wilkie and Elizabeth Buchta are the duo behind the musical group Peaches and Bacon. They spoke to Community Voices about the worldwide appeal of old-time music and performing folk music in Berlin, Germany.