KZ Community Beat

Alfred Conteh is a contemporary African American painter, sculptor and printmaker from Atlanta! Alfred is in town this weekend for multiple events and Everley Davis is a community coordinator of the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Alfred is a self proclaimed “Observer/ Social commentator” who prides himself on being authentic. We speak about his exhibit at the Peoria Riverfront Museum, also the concept...

Meet James Agbara Bryson. James is the great grand nephew of Annie Malone, the first black female millionaire! Our conversation centers around the amazing work the New Millennium Institute does for our community through their “Harvesting Dreams program”. We also discuss mental and spiritual roadblocks we put in front of ourselves and James tells us the story of Annie Malone! See omnystudio.com/lis...

We meet Abby Green, Julie Eliathamby and Candace Martell, members of Peoria Grown. We learn the roots of Peoria Grown, what healthy eating really looks like and helping modify traditions with a healthy twist! Peoria Grown helps meet our community where they are physically and culturally! With weekly markets having affordable healthy options and cooking classes to help shed light on how to make hea...

Meet Kira Kyle, she is the Prison Program Manager of Defy Ventures in Illinois! Kira takes us through the program they provide our imprisoned and how they work to instill hope and guide their student's creative process in finding their path post release! Kira also opens up about her process in finding a passion helping her students, "Defy" roadblocks and negative connotations!  See omnystudio.com/...

Meet Marc Supreme!  We experience a journey of “Don’t hate on nobody, don’t wait on nobody” and never letting up! Marc is the GM of 90.7 FM “Strictly Hip-Hop”. From a 1.8 GPA to influencing a community through music, hosting political forums, curating art exhibits, reporting President Obama’s inauguration and now writing a book ! Marc’s story is a tale of genuine passion and confidence in your ski...

April is National Donate Life month! Meet Lisa Dodson the Senior Community Outreach Specialist at Gift of Hope & Tissue Donor Network! Lisa takes us through how Gift of Hope operates and brings light to misconceptions regarding organ donorship. #LightItUpPurple See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From England to Australia and Peoria, Andy King’s journey is the definition of letting go and letting God guide. Andy is the Executive Director of Dream Center Peoria! Dream Center Peoria over the years became a beacon of light for many, but if it wasn’t for one random interaction in Australia, his story may have been extremely different! Serendipity describes his journey and his heart guides him...

The partner you choose can impact your life greatly! This episode we meet the “Peoria Power Couple” Founder and Co Founder of Peoria’s Fashion Week, Ezra and Chanel Murry! We hear behind the scenes of how Peoria’s Fashion Week was created and how the labor of passion is seeing amazing growth! Also, the importance of having the right person in your corner can elevate you to amazing things!  See omn...

This episode, we meet Dr. Bernice Gordon Young. A born and raised Peorian, who has made mental health a passion and her way in giving back to our community. We touch on “meeting someone where they are”. Dr. Bernice speaks on her time at OSF, the culture change going to help our incarcerated and her non profit “It Takes A Village”! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Jami Truelove, the President and CEO of Big Brothers/ Big Sisters here in Peoria! For 13 years and counting, Jami and her amazing team consistently help our youth to feel supported! This episode we hear the importance of mentorship and support for the youth of our community while gaining more knowledge of the amazing work of Big Brothers and Big Sisters! See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

Deric Kimler, the Director of Peoria’s hottest musical, “In The Heights”  and Executive Director of Central Illinois Friends takes us on his journey of finding acceptance and liberation! Theater initially became his escape and now it’s his passion to help fight against stigmas!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Brian M. Gorsich and Nicole Stephens, two members of our community who live with multiple sclerosis. If there is one thing I can say is, they each have had their struggles.. their crosses.. set backs and continued moments of peaks and valleys.. yet they face life with laughter and optimism! The great work of National Multiple Sclerosis Society Central Illinois Community Counci l and lived in...

Consistency… that word summarizes the journey both Ray Flacko and Mario Young have experienced. A perfect story of Ying and Yang. Through it all, through every trial they experienced, they still have a big heart and passion for Peoria! Mario and Ray have lived through variations of lost. Mario has experienced the cruelty of his father being killed and the devastation of cancer. Ray was imprisoned...

Meet Christell Frausto! Owner of TequilRia Wine and Spirits in Peoria. Also She is the VP on The Greater Peoria Hispanic Chamber of Commerce! We hear the story of a proud Latina businesswoman! Christell takes us on  her journey of security, redirection and finding her purpose here in Peoria!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet John Morris who is the President and CEO of the Peoria Riverfront Museum! On this episode, John walks us through the rich history of Peoria, IL! From Richard Pryor, REO Speedwagon, prohibition, WW 2 contributions and soo much more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Kenneth Godbolt! From trauma, failed suicide attempts to providing a safe and consistent environment for himself, his daughters and for our community to feel loved and at peace! This episode focuses heavily on mental health.. acceptance and forgiveness! Amazing time spent with a new friend! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Angel Cruz. A kid from Chicago, who never felt safe to grow with love. Always on survivor mode. Angel takes us on his journey. A path filled with pain, trials and valleys. Through it all he learned humility and how to receive love. Angel opens up about mental health, working with recidivism and how the love a good woman has saved his life! Enjoy his story. See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

Mr. Jorell Glass known for his style, and happy demeanor underneath that joy is  a man who's seen dark days. Mr. Glass takes us through mental health, near death experience and short comings. Through it all he stays faithful in life and it's "seasons". I hope you enjoy his story! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Marcellus Sommerville, a local Peorian. Marcellus found his passion in basketball. From courts in Peoria, Illinois to overseas playing with big NBA names. He gave the game up to be a full time father and he hasn’t looked back since. Marcellus now puts his passion into the community as the head of Peoria’s Friendship House. Listen in as we look through the journey of a kid who loves the game,...

Meet Heddy Elliot! Her name is well known in Peoria! For 25 plus years, Heddy has opened her heart to our community. Teaching, empowering and providing consistency to our youth and imprisoned! Enjoy a story of a teacher with a BIG heart! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode, we meet Eddy P "The Kung Fool Comic... a comic who knows Kung Fu! Eddy born and raised n Peoria, IL! Takes us through his trials, tribulations and the trauma.  Eddy speaks on mental health and humor! Enjoy his story!! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode we hear the story of a local Peorian. From childhood trauma to a state championship, Marines, near death experience and now giving men an opportunity to have a safe environment to experience and grow in love. Willie speaks on utilizing the gifts God has given him to help others achieve the same peace he lives in.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Demario Boone was born and raised in South Peoria! From the duality of being a minority police officer, working 17 plus years in District 150, overcoming his trauma and how he is building a "Justice League" to help Peoria.  Enjoy as we find Demario's reasoning behind his passion to remove the "fence/ red lines" in our community!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rev Benjamin Nicks is the Head Pastor of St Luke's/ PCAV Board member and Running for City Council. He may be a "outsider" but he preaches, "We can't have a community..without..UNITY" He wants to help us by bringing us together!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When I tell you, Carl is a PERSONALITY! He has had moments in life that have changed his mindset and now, he is in the roots of our community, doing all he can to help prevent others from a path he has walked. Carl's story is animated and passionate. Let's welcome his story into our collection! As we learn about his May-I Outreach Program ! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.