Rebecca Amato is the Director of Teaching and Learning for Illinois Humanities and Alexandra Sossa is from the Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project. Illinois Humanities received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and Arts Midwest to present The NEA Big Read: Reconsidering the American Dream. This is a series of free book groups, free public events, and hands-on workshops that explore and challenge our understanding of the "American Dream." Amato and Sossa spoke to Community Voices about the books featured in the Big Read, the changing ideology surrounding the "American Dream", and the event coming to Springfield on Feb. 22. They also spoke about different challenges and inequities immigrants and farmers face in Illinois.

The Looking for Lincoln Stories podcast shares stories about the people and places of Abraham Lincoln’s time. It also highlights lesser known stories about African Americans who lived in the area. To honor Black History Month, NPR Illinois is sharing episodes of The Looking for Lincoln Stories podcast. To hear more from the podcast visit: https://www.lookingforlincoln.org/education/stories

Dr. Jamarco Clark joined UIS as the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs on June 12, 2023. He spoke to Community Voices about his experience working at different colleges, starting at UIS, and the role of student affairs on college campuses. Dr. Clark also gives advice and words of wisdom on achieving goals.

Tania Miller is one of the candidates for the open Music Director position at the Illinois Symphony Orchestra. She'll conduct the upcoming concert "Captivating Contrasts," on Feb. 16 in Springfield, Ill. and on Feb. 17 in Bloomington-Normal, Ill. Miller spoke to Community Voices about the performance which will feature works by Beethoven, Barber and Nielsen.For more information visit ilsymphony.org

Stephanie Myers and Natalie Keller are two artists whose art is featured in the “Local Perspectives Show,” at the Perspectives Art Gallery in Petersburg, Ill. The art show runs Jan. 27 through Feb. 16. Myers and Keller spoke to Community Voices about what inspires their work. Myers explained how she likes to use vibrant colors, and Keller explained how she utilizes old drum heads from the Blue Man Group to create some of her pieces.To see works by Natalie Keller visit nkellerart on Instagram.To see works by Stephanie Myers visit: facebook.com/stephaniemyersart

Bobby Carter, NPR Tiny Desk Concert producer, provides tips to encourage central Illinois musicians to enter the 2024 Tiny Desk Contest. Carter is also a judge.

Becky Wheeler is the founder of Beltany Wellness which provides online classes and guided journeys through Ireland to promote healing and transformation. She spoke to Community Voices about her experiences in Ireland, embracing the intuitive voice, and her upcoming guided intuitive journey to Ireland. Becky also talks about shamanic breathwork and other spiritual practices.

Last November UIS Innovate Springfield and the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln hosted a public event titled “The Next Technology Revolution,” which featured, Springfield native and Vice Chairman for equity private markets at Jefferies’ Global Technology Investment Banking Group, Cully Davis.Davis has nearly 30 years of investment banking experience and worked with numerous businesses known for being on the cutting edge of technology including, Google, Groupon, Lyft, Box, Kite Pharma, MicroStrategy, and SunPower to name a few. At this event, Davis shared lessons he’s learned in Silicon Valley and the elements needed to make Springfield the home of the next technology revolution.

Historian and author, Dr. Robert D. Sampson, discusses early baseball in Illinois. The epidemic growth immediately follows the Civil War, where local teams and civic ambition went hand in hand, and the game mirrored many of society’s ills. Sampson is the author of Ballists, Dead Beats, and Muffins — Inside Early Baseball in Illinois.

Doris Turner, Illinois State Senator; and Mike Coffey, Illinois State Representative discuss how legislative work impacts the capital and central Illinois in their appearance before the Citizens Club of Springfield.