As Americans celebrate the 250th anniversary of our independence, Illinois Public Media is marking the occasion.
America @ 250: The Questions Before Us, produced in partnership with the Illinois Student Newsroom, elevates the voices of east-central Illinois residents as they reflect on the nation’s 250th birthday and the big questions facing us, as Americans, at this moment in our history.The new series launches June 29, with new stories rolling out every Monday.
The project was conceived by journalism professor Charles “Stretch” Ledford, who co-leads the Illinois Student Newsroom at Illinois Public Media with IPM News editor Christine Herman. The Student Newsroom at IPM is a partnership between IPM News and the College of Media at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
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America @ 250: Father Johndamaseni Zilimu asks how we become peacemakers
Father Johndamaseni Zilimu is pastor of St. Matthew Parish in Champaign. Father John was born in Tanzania and moved to the U.S. in 2000. He received his doctorate in mathematics education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2014.
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America @ 250: Hannah Velasco asks if America was actually ever great
Hannah Velasco is a 29-year-old resident of Urbana. She directs Urbana High School’s Ballet Folklórico de los Tigres, and is a recruitment and training coordinator for the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Champaign County. Her identity has never fit neatly into one box, and she believes that accepting each other’s differences is part of being American.
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America @ 250: Kay Weidner asks Americans to ask themselves, ‘Who am I?’
Kay Weidner grew up near Crystal Lake Park in north Urbana and still lives in the area. Members of her family have served in the military since at least World War II, and she loves a good Fourth of July Parade.
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America @ 250: Alex Wysocki asks, ‘Are short-term political gains worth giving up the big picture?’
Alex Wysocki is a television producer, filmmaker, husband and father of three. He and his wife Abigail moved to Champaign during the COVID-19 pandemic and are raising their family here.
