Robin Burns at Elloras Garden In my mother’s garden are rows and rows of vegetables that range from crowder peas to green beans, tomatoes and okra. A host of other crops have also been planted and replanted as the growing season changes from spring to fall.  Located on the Southside of Peoria, it’s an oasis … Continue reading In My Mother’s Garden By Cheryll Boswell

One person will not be participating in the clinical trials vaccine - ever. Walter Jones* at 79 years-old takes pride in staying alive during this COVID-19 pandemic. "I've been blessed to stay out of the hospital. My wife, daughter, and a couple of family members have nursed me back to health," said Jones, who experienced … Continue reading Tuskegee Experiment Haunts COVID-19 By Cassiette West-Williams

The Motivation NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE! NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE! March on Washington When we chant this, do we fully understand the meaning of the words? One thing I know for sure is that racism is no respecter of peace. When I watched the 8 minutes 46-second murder of George Floyd, I knew that we … Continue reading Call to Action – The Get Your Knee Off Our Necks March on Washington By Kim Furness

Louella Tyson is very passionate about voting this November. She sees her sorority sister, Senator Kamala Harris, as an instrument for change.  "She encourages us to be a part of the solutions in our country. Our Senator is taking the next step to move this country forward," said Tyson, who is a member of Alpha … Continue reading Senator Kamala Harris Makes History By Cassiette West-Williams

Three months ago, I received a message from Julie, who I had previously served with on a local non-profit board. Julie asked if I would consider speaking to a group of predominately white women about racism. The message caught me by surprise since I am not an expert on racism. Julie explained that after watching … Continue reading THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES… “Silence is Acceptance” By Sherry Cannon

At-Large City Council Member, Rita Ali, announced her candidacy for Mayor of Peoria on Tuesday, September 1st at a press conference held at her home. Following is her speech in its entirety: Good morning everyone. I’m Rita Ali, an At-Large member of Peoria City Council and life-long resident and public servant of Peoria. I want … Continue reading Rita Ali Announces Candidacy For Mayor Of Peoria

It was the killing of Jimmie Lee Jackson that provoked the march from Selma to Montgomery. It was his death and his blood that gave us the Voting Rights Act of 1965." ––Congressman John Lewis on Jimmie Lee Jackson The 1965 murders of two civil rights activists––Jimmie Lee Jackson and James Reeb––ignited the now historic … Continue reading NY Times Bestselling Author Tells Untold Story of Two Lives, Two Deaths, and the Movement that Changed America in “JIMMIE LEE & JAMES”