Dialogue
Each week Dialogue features interviews people across the region along with in-depth stories from the IPM News team about education, health, politics, arts, and more as it relates to local Black communities. Dialogue airs Saturdays at 11 am and Tuesdays at 6 pm on Illinois Soul FM 101.1 and streams live at illinoissoul.org and can be heard Wednesdays at 8 pm on WILL-AM 580.
Rhythm and roots: The restorative power of Black holiday music
From the tone and tenor of Black holiday music, what brings the spirit more than sounds that bring a community together?
Stirring history: The plates and legacy of Black holiday food
From collard greens to mac and cheese, and even sweet potatoes, the flavors and traditions behind Black holiday meals are passed down through generations. But could we be losing recipes?
Roots and Recovery: Central Illinois’ Black mental wellness landscape
The workplace can be a tense environment for anyone, but for Black Americans, it can come with added pressures and expectations. How can Black Americans protect their peace not only at work but also in their own home?
Surviving America: Black America’s future in the second age of Donald Trump
With Vice President Kamala Harris securing a majority of the Black vote, what does a second Trump presidency mean for Black Americans?
Reconnecting with the community: A look at Central Illinois
Missed a couple of headlines? Today, Dialogue looks at a few stories you didn't know you missed.
The state of us: the Black vote, the 2024 election
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, what are the top concerns of Black voters in Champaign? And what challenges do Americans face as they head to the polls?
When we look away; sheltered from violence, not bias — Domestic Violence Awareness Month
When 120 lives are lost in Illinois to domestic violence in a single year—a 110% increase from the previous year—What does this say about the community's understanding and awareness of the issue?
The race to birthing equities with Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton on the Birth Equity Initiative
When a mother gives birth, why does the experience depend so heavily on the color of her skin?
Blue lines and Black lives, a look at police misconduct, and a continued conversation with the Urbana police chief and trauma researcher Alesha Lewis
Could a new database dedicated to tracking police misconduct bring more accountability for law enforcement? And what are the police departments in Champaign-Urbana doing to increase safety?
Kennedy Vincent is a host and producer from Las Vegas with West Indian roots. Specializing in news writing, audio, and video production work, she has earned her degree from the University of Nevada, Reno. Now based in Illinois, Vincent is focused on surrounding her work with collective BIPOC stories, universal rights, and community healing. Kennedy seeks to form deeper connections in her community through her work. She continuously pushes boundaries and reshapes how audio is viewed and believes sharing meaningful stories globally is what will unite us intentionally.
Reginald Hardwick is the News & Public Affairs Director at Illinois Public Media. He oversees news reporting, The 21st talk show, IPMnewsroom.org, and occasionally hosts and produces episodes of Dialogue. Reginald came to IPM in 2019 after serving as News Director at WKAR at Michigan State University. Before that, he had a long career as a local newscast producer and manager at the NBC-owned station in Dallas/Fort Worth, where he earned seven Lone Star Emmy awards and multiple honors from the National Assn. of Black Journalists. Born in Vietnam, Reginald was adopted and grew up on the Eastern plains of Colorado. He graduated from the University of Northern Colorado.