The Faith Coalition for the Common Good is a non-profit with 35 institutional members that include faith congregations, nonprofit, and union labor organizations. They come together to address the injustices of racism and poverty in Springfield and Central Illinois. The Executive Director of the Faith Coalition Tyshianna Bankhead along with Dr. Brandon Derman, Environmental Justice Taskforce Chair, spoke to Community Voices about the mission of the Faith Coalition, inequities in the community, and issues surrounding rent in the state of Illinois. They also discuss their upcoming spring Gala on April 11.

Aldo Leopold was a conservationist, educator, and author who wrote "A Sand County Almanac," which has inspired modern environmental change. Executive Director of the Aldo Leopold Foundation Buddy Huffaker and Executive Director of the Friends of The Sangamon Valley Angela Funk spoke to Community Voices about the life and legacy of Aldo Leopold, the function of the foundation, and pressing environmental challenges the world is navigating today. They also speak about an event in Springfield happening on April 12 which will celebrate Aldo Leopold.

Golden Bridges works with seniors and others who are overwhelmed with the task of downsizing or moving. The company serves Adams county and surrounding areas such as Springfield. Golden Bridges co-owner Suzanne Ellerbrock and the Springfield Liaison Terri Hempstead spoke to Community Voices about senior move management, empathy and the process they take in helping a person downsize. They also talk about repurposing and how senior move management helps the whole family.

With the shrinking media landscape, many communities are underrepresented in the media. To hear from these communities, NPR Illinois hosts an event called LISTEN. The Petersburg, Ill. community was chosen for the March LISTEN event and with the help of Broadgauge, a local restaurant and event space, NPR Illinois spoke to several area residents and learned about the joys, challenges and media usage in the community. Community Voices co-hosts Vanessa Ferguson and Randy Eccles listen back to the event recording and provide analysis of the topics discussed. LISTEN in Petersburg was funded by a grant from the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln.

LJ Pemberton is the marketing and patron relations manager for the Kirkland Fine Arts Center. LJ is also an artist and published author. She returned to Community Voices to speak about her journey as a writer and her new book "Still Alive." LJ also talks about a future book she is currently working on.

Micah Bartlett recently received the 2024 UIS Alumni Achievement Award. He retired from the banking industry after a successful 33-year career. He was the President and CEO of Town and Country Bank before it merged with Heartland Bank. He spoke to Community Voices about the award, lessons he learned in his career, and what it was like running Town and Country Bank at the young age of 33.

Tim Totten is an expert on the life and career of Frank Lloyd Wright. His storytelling is compelling, and he will share his talents at the upcoming Dana-Thomas House Foundation fundraiser titled “Let’s Be Frank, Perfectly Frank” on April 13. Totten along with President of the Dana-Thomas House Foundation Cinda Klickna spoke to Community Voices about Wright’s tumultuous personal life and how he rebuilt his career in his later years.For more information about the fundraiser visit: https://dana-thomas.org/?event=lets-be-frank-perfectly-frank&event_date=2024-04-13

Daniel Donato relates how he started in Nashville and interprets music into Cosmic Country. He currently is on the national Americana charts and plays Danenberger Family Vineyards March 23, 2024.

Dr. Karen Moranski is the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Sonoma State University, but prior to this role she spent 21 years at the University of Illinois Springfield as a faculty member and administrator. She spoke to Community Voices about her role in creating the Capital Scholars Honors Program at UIS. She also discussed higher education and ways to create a more inclusive experience.

The Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival brings together states to address poverty and its effects. Rev. Susan Phillips and Carlos Rodriguez are two of three Illinois tri-chairs for the campaign. They spoke to Community Voices about the history of the original Poor People's Campaign of 1968, why the revival of the campaign started in 2018, and the current state of poverty in Illinois. They also discuss immigration and their 40-week voter mobilization movement leading up to the election.