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SIUDr. Dana Crosby is chair, program director, and professor in the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at SIU School of Medicine. She is also Director of Rhinology and Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery as well as Director of Otolaryngic Allergy. She spoke to Community Voices about what drew her to this medical specialty, what all Otolaryngology encompasses, and how chronic issues with the senses impact quality of life. Dr. Crosby also talks about working with residents as they prepare to become surgeons.
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Salvation ArmyA staple of the holiday season, the Salvation Army’s red kettles are stationed at the entrance of numerous stores, but the organization is seeking more volunteers to draw attention to those kettles by ringing bells. Salvation Army Envoy Jeff Eddy and board member Michael Thomas spoke to Community Voices and explained how people can volunteer and how donations are distributed in Springfield.
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Dr. Nathan Todd is a professor of psychology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He spoke to Community Voices about his research on how Christian faith communities become and live out being open and inclusive to the LGBTQIA+ community.
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Mark Achler is a venture capitalist and the former senior vice president of Redbox. He is also a lecturer at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, and he's co-authored the book “Exit Right.” He recorded an interview with Innovate Springfield for the Founders, Failures and Fun podcast during which he spoke about his journey as an entrepreneur and lessons he’s learned along the way.
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The People’s Symposium Presents A Celebration of Life for Palestine will take place on Nov. 24, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Erin’s Pavilion. The event will feature several community resources, vendors, workshops and more. Organizer Maribel Cruz Hine and presenter Dr. Kristi Barnwell spoke to Community Voices about the event, the need for aid in Palestine and the local organization Springfield Families for Ceasefire.To learn more visit: https://www.facebook.com/share/12B7Uc2fQbk/
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Mawa Iqbal is the state house reporter for WBEZ and Illinois Public Radio. She spoke to Community Voices about what it’s like as a reporter in the Illinois State Capitol, the challenges of reporting on social justice and the importance of media literacy.
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Bwayisak Tanko is a master’s student in the School of Communication at the University of Illinois Springfield. Her documentary film Accents and Acceptance, which is part of her research project for closure from the School of Communication and Media Studies, premieres November 22nd, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at Brookens Auditorium. The film explores the communication experiences of international students from Europe, Africa, Asia, South America, and the Middle East as they adjust to life in the United States of America, highlighting their stories and challenges within the context of communication. Bwayisak spoke to Community Voices about growing up in small town in northern Nigeria, the story behind wanting to use her voice to influence change, and some observations from the documentary.
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The Citizens Club of Springfield held its October meeting and presented the draft of the Downtown Springfield and Mid-Illinois Medical District Master Plan. The plan is a collaboration among the City of Springfield, Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance, Downtown Springfield, Inc. and the Mid-Illinois Medical District. Josh Koonce from the urban planning firm Hoseal Lavigne spoke to the crowd about what is in the plan and why a master plan is important.To review the plan visit: https://www.springfield.il.us/Docs/PublicNotice/SpringfieldMasterPlan101824.pdf
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Lanette French is a local author who released her book The Blended Family: My Bonus Mom. She spoke to Community Voices about the book, her blended family, and gives advice to others on how to navigate their own situations.
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Gemma Long is co-founder of Illinois Local and Charlotte McCurdy is a senior dancer with Springfield Youth Performance Group. They spoke to Community Voices about the Illinois Local Holiday Market, vendors and performers that will be featured, and the significance of Small Business Saturday in our community. The Illinois Local Holiday Market is Saturday November 30th 9am-4pm in the Exposition Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Details can be found here.
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Duane Friend is the State Master Naturalist Coordinator and Climate Change Specialist with the University of Illinois Extension. He spoke to Community Voices about soil quality, weather and climate, and disaster preparedness. Duane also gives information about Illinois Extension's Master Naturalists program and the positive impact on the community.
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The month of November is Faith and Hope Month. It’s a time for faith organizations to celebrate organ and tissue donations and educate others on the importance of registering as a donor. Shadaye Hunnicutt from Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network spoke to Community Voices about the organization, misconceptions about donating and how faith communities can get involved.Hunnicutt can be reached at shunnicutt@giftofhope.org
