Lisa Govro, founder of Big Heart Tea Co., reflects on her trip to India in 2017, which inspired her to improve the sourcing of tea ingredients. The company, known for its ethical and transparent sourcing, won $50,000 from Arch Grants to launch a marketplace for ethically sourced herbs and spices. Big Heart Tea Co., a women-owned business, is expanding beyond tea to create a platform where buyers can find products that meet specific ethical criteria. The marketplace, set to fully launch next year, aims to provide complete transparency and traceability in the supply chain. The article also introduces Kunthearath Nhek-Morrissey, the vice president of business operations and supply chain at Big Heart, who was drawn to the company's mission and ethical practices.

The article discusses the transformation of the historic YMCA building in Granite City into Edison Avenue Lofts by Rise Community Development. The project aims to create affordable artist lofts, commercial spaces, and a fitness room, while respecting the building's architectural history. The development is part of a larger community revitalization effort, with the city's economic development director, James Amos, highlighting the project's significance. The renovation is artist-focused, with some units reserved for veterans. The initiative is supported by various funding sources, including tax credits and federal historic tax credits. The project is expected to be a catalyst for economic development and vitality in downtown Granite City, which is also experiencing a resurgence due to the steel industry's revival.

Will Edwards, founder of the startup MetKnow, has developed a mobile application that acts as a flashcard and quizzing tool to help users remember acquaintances' names. MetKnow, which won a 2017 Arch Grants award, is gaining traction in the business sector, selling through companies' HR departments to help new employees integrate. The app, which links to LinkedIn and Google Images, will soon launch a new product for individuals. Edwards, who dropped out of law school to pursue this venture, sees MetKnow as more than just an app and aims to expand the company in St. Louis with various revenue streams.

Katherine Zoepf, a former Middle East correspondent for The New York Times and current fellow at the New America Foundation, discusses her book 'Excellent Daughters: The Secret Lives of the Young Women Who are Transforming the Arab World.' The book explores the nuanced reality of women's lives in the Middle East, a diversity often overshadowed by news of war, revolution, and terrorism. Zoepf shares stories of women making incremental changes leading to significant societal shifts, such as the first class of women lawyers in Saudi Arabia and the tragic case of Zahra al-Azzo, a Syrian victim of an honor killing. The book aims to highlight the subtle yet profound changes occurring in the region, challenging the static view from afar and showcasing the progress being made by women in their societies.

Carlos Harrison conducted extensive research on Hero Street in Silvis, Illinois, where a small Mexican-American community made significant contributions to the U.S. military efforts during World War II and the Korean War. He compiled stories from veterans and their families, military records, and other sources for his book, 'The Ghosts Of Hero Street.' The article highlights the experiences of individuals like the wife of a B-17 bomber pilot, Kathleen Ann Rook who volunteered during the war, and Corporal Sam Weldon who served in the Pacific theater. The piece also mentions a documentary produced by WQPT and Fourth Wall Films about the soldiers from Hero Street, focusing on Frank Sandoval. The article delves into the personal memories and the broader impact of the war on the community of Champaign-Urbana and the surrounding area.