Illinois Public Media - WILL

Dialogue

Society EN ↓ 20 episodes

With the launch of Illinois Soul comes a new local community affairs program, Dialogue, airing each week and highlighting issues important to Black communities in central Illinois. Tune in Saturdays at 11am and again Tuesdays at 7pm on WILL-FM 101.1 to hear interviews along with in-depth stories from the IPM News team about education, health, politics, arts and more.

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Illinois Public Media - WILL

Episodes

He traveled for justice and found tragedy: unpacking the death of Antonio Mays in Seattle’s CHOP 10.07.2026

Discover the truth behind a utopian protest turned deadly with a new podcast investigating the 2020 unsolved murder of a Black teenager in Seattle's autonomous zone.

Highs and Lows: Black student expulsion rates in Illinois schools 10.07.2026

Schools in Illinois discipline Black students at much higher rates than their white peers. We looked into why.

‘We’re not speaking up loud enough’: Three teens share candid thoughts about youth gun violence in central Illinois 26.06.2026

In the first half of this year, gun violence has taken the lives of four teens in Champaign. Several more have been injured. And many of the suspects are also teenagers. 

Should descendants of enslaved Black Americans receive reparations? An Illinois commission wants your opinions. 22.06.2026

The African Descent Reparations Commission is inviting you to take part in a state survey on reparations for Black communities that have faced harm and injustice.

Champaign, Danville and Urbana to mark Juneteenth by celebrating Black freedom and families 14.06.2026

Champaign and Urbana's Juneteenth celebrations start on June 13. Danville will have events closer to June 19.

Illinois Soul’s Juneteenth 2026 concert will be a homecoming for husband-and-wife singers Raphael and Whitney 06.06.2026

Hometown favorites Raphael and Whitney are the featured performers at the Illinois Soul Juneteenth Concert at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts on June 18, 2026.

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts upcoming season celebrates community 06.06.2026

The Krannert Center for the Performing Arts has announced its 2026-2027 season.

Get a sneak peak of the new Obama Presidential Center, then listen his 2004 interview with WILL-radio 30.05.2026

IPM's Reginald Hardwick leads you on a tour of the grounds of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. Then we listen to then-State Sen. Obama on WILL-AM.

Illinois Public Media and Illinois Soul says farewell to Kimberly Schofield 30.05.2026

After four years at Illinois Public Media, Kimberly Schofield is leaving the air but she's not going far.

DeShawn Williams marks a year as mayor; Inside the Lincoln School for Black children; and Mýa releases album with 70’s/80’s vibes 22.05.2026

DeShawn Williams talks about his first year as Urbana's mayor; we visit a restored one-room schoolhouse for Black children; and Mýa talks about her new album.

Remembering Miles Davis and his musical genius on his 100th birthday 22.05.2026

May 26, 2026, would have been the 100th birthday of Miles Davis, an Illinois native who changed the course of music.

Direct from Champaign: A Hamilton star and a Student Virtuoso talk about raising the bar 08.05.2026

Our Dialogue for Teens hosts learn about a ‘Hamilton’ star who rose from Champaign to Broadway and an emerging talent from Centennial High School.

From Meteorologist to Nail Tech to K9 Officer: how to turn a calling into a career 08.05.2026

Our Dialogue for Teens hosts react to the career journeys of a scientist, an entrepreneur, and police officers who work with dogs.

What does it take to earn a spot on the Eastern Illinois University soccer team? 08.05.2026

Our Dialogue for Teens hosts Felipe and Zac talk with two members of the Division I soccer team at Eastern Illinois University.

Fishing Trip Turned Hate Crime: Danville Alderman Recounts Armed Confrontation in Paris, Illinois 02.05.2026

Three men pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and hate crime charges following a racially motivated attack at White Oaks Park.

Weekly Roundup: new Black photography exhibit, few primary voters, inside a 24-hour childcare facility and a Southside garden feeding more than a food desert 02.05.2026

A roundup of stories affecting people in Central Illinois and in the case of a Supreme Court ruling about the Voting Rights Act, nationally.

Chaz Ebert reflects as the annual Ebertfest film festival in Champaign comes to an end 17.04.2026

In 1999, film critic and Champaign-Urbana native Roger Ebert and his wife Chaz, started an annual festival in Champaign to highlight overlooked movies. Ebertfest returned to Champaign’s Virginia Theatre for “One Last Dance" on April 17 and 18.

The Hidden Spectrum: Uncovering Autism in Communities of Color 17.04.2026

April is Autism month. On this episode, we ask how culture, access to care and community support affect how Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) families navigate autism.

‘I will never give up on my vision… for what I want to do’: Sheila Johnson explains how art powered her through tragic and triumphant times in her life and her dedication to giving a voice to teens 10.04.2026

Media Mogul. Humanitarian. Pro Sports Team and Luxury Hotel Brand Owner. All ways to describe Sheila Johnson. In an Illinois Soul exclusive, this powerful University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign alumna shares her painful but triumphant life journey. And the importance of giving today's teens a voice. 

Illinois Public Media and the College of Media team up to offer Saturday teen podcast workshops 04.04.2026

The workshops take place on April 4, 11, and 25 from 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Click here for registration which is required. The podcasts take place at Illinois Public Media, 300 N. Goodwin Avenue in Urbana.