Interviews conducted by Jonathan Wright and Mae Gilliland Wright
Their legacies are legendary, their impact profound. By sharing their stories, we hope to inspire the rest of us who are living out our own legacies, each and every day.
Growing up on the East Coast, she learned the value of community service and the importance of art and culture at a very young age. These lessons stayed with her for life—and she applied them here in Peoria.
From her tireless efforts to bring peace and healing to victims of violence and abuse, to his service as a trusted authority on the news of the day, they have been a steadying presence in central Illinois for decades.
An internationally renowned artist and performer, he confronts social issues boldly and directly, connecting the hard truths of American history to its present and future, anchored by the common thread of humanity.
Each year, Peoria Magazine presents the people, places and things that make our region the best place to live, work and play… according to our readers.
