The longest-run Black rodeo in the nation, the Roy LeBlanc Okmulgee Invitational Rodeo takes place every year in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. This year, hundreds of spectators and competitors from across the country celebrated the rodeo’s 69th anniversary. The crowd inside the rodeo arena gets loud and the red dirt kicks up in clouds as teams…
SPRINGFIELD — President Joe Biden is set to sign a proclamation Friday to designate a national monument at the Springfield, Illinois, site of the 1908 race riot, which later fueled the formation of the NAACP. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during a briefing with reporters on Wednesday that the ceremony will be held…
2024 has been a tumultuous year of news. Journalists and storytellers recently gathered in Chicago at the National Association Of Black Journalists’ (NABJ) convention to find ways to stay grounded. Grammy Award-Winning Gospel Artist, Yolanda Adams, sang “Open My Heart” and “The Battle Is the Lord’s” on the final day of the conference. Afterward, IPM’s…
Sonya Massey called 911 to report a potential prowler before being shot inside her home. Footage shows she was cowering and holding a pot when the deputy opened fire. The Sangamon County State’s Attorney released body camera footage on Monday showing then-sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson shooting and killing Springfield resident Sonya Massey inside her home….
“My students want to ask about lynchings in the area,” said Cuba High School history teacher Joe Brewer. “It’s difficult for folks to talk about still, but those are the exact questions my students want to address.”
Deere’s move arrives just weeks after rural retailer Tractor Supply ended an array of its corporate diversity and climate efforts. While the companies’ responses differed, both arrive amid a wider backdrop of conservative backlash that has been targeting companies across industries.
On June 20, Syleena Johnson will headline a concert at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts Stage 5, sponsored by Illinois Public Media’s new station Illinois Soul. Doors for the free concert open at 5:00 p.m. Music starts at 6:00 p.m.
DECATUR- Singers and musicians from across central Illinois are collaborating to celebrate Baroque music this June at the Five Cities Baroque Festival. Performances will be held throughout Champaign and Decatur starting this Sunday, June 16th through Saturday, June 22nd. Morning Edition host Kimberly Schofield spoke with the festival’s founding director, Nate Widelitz, about bringing 17th…
Juneteenth commemorates the ending of slavery in the US on June 19, 1865.
Three lawmakers in Illinois’ Jewish Caucus visited the University of Illinois Monday to support Jewish students.
State-level Community Reinvestment Act finally was mired in rulemaking process.
The African American Heritage Trail, established in 2020, is a series of memorial signs that chronicle the history of African Americans throughout the county. Recently, two new displays have been added to the trail. These are dedicated to William F. Earnest and Maudelle Tanner Brown Bousfield. The new signs are located on First street in…
For the first time since the 19th century, a Native American tribe has sovereign authority over land in the state of Illinois. Now, the tribal government has to figure out what to do with it. The Prairie Band Potawatomi, based near Mayetta, Kansas, signed an agreement last week putting 130 acres of farmland in DeKalb County,…
CHAMPAIGN – Christine Swanson, has been writing, directing, and producing films for over 25 years, but her latest film was shot primarily in Champaign, IL. Albany Road premieres at Ebertfest this Saturday, April 20th, at 4pm at the Virginia Theatre. Swanson spoke with Morning Edition host Kimberly Schofield about the film, what it’s like to…
Haynes is the pastor at Friendship-West Baptist Church. He was formally installed as president and CEO of Rainbow PUSH in February.