417 Bridge Builders

05/17/2026

If you are looking for more summer programming for kiddos, then look no further than Ujima Language and Literacy 😁
They have an excellent summer camp that encourages young readers to bring stories to life so ✨
Register in the post and please share with others 🙏🏽

We are glad you are choosing to spend part of your summer with us! We ask that you fill out a separate registration for each child because we need permission for certain things we will be participating in and specific information for each child. Also we ask that if you are a Springfield Public Schoo...

05/15/2026

‼️SUMMER PROGRAMMING REGISTRATION OPEN ‼️
Registration for youth and adult classes at Black History Summer Academy is officially open on our website here: www.417-bridgebuilders.org/programs/bhsa
When: June 8th-11th (Black History Summer Academy)
Where: Drury University (Lay & Pearson Hall)
What: Dinner, music, classes, and much more!
Don’t forget about our Ariya Celebration where we honor high school graduates transitioning into adulthood on June 12th (6 PM) at the Barley House at Moontown Crossing ✨
To see more of what you can expect this year check out our gallery here: www.417-bridgebuilders.org/programs/gallery
We’re excited to see ya’ll there but in the meantime please reach out to us with any questions about registration, programming or anything else 😁

05/10/2026

Today we’re honored to highlight Michael St. James Marshall ✨
He has been involved with Black History Summer Academy for over 16 years in different volunteer roles and has been a consistent presence in our program 🧱
Michael expressed that the reason he continues to show up year after year is because of his love for the kids and the community 🤎🖤
Over the past several years he’s been the educator for our 3rd-5th grad boys, but he does much more than that!
He is always around to help and support in anyway possible whether it’s helping set up and break down events, or running last minute errands…
We wouldn’t be where we are now without him and others we will continue to highlight this year ✨
‼️ Friendly reminder, registration for Black History Summer Academy 2026 is currently open (link in bio): www.417-bridgebuilders.org/programs/bhsa ‼️

05/08/2026

Huge shout out to Dr. Ashley Felton! She is going to continue to do great things at Central High School. They couldn’t have picked a better individual who has a unique balance of authenticity, professionalism, and care 🧱

Springfield Public Schools is pleased to announce Dr. Ashley Felton will be the next principal at Central High School, where she has served as assistant principal for the past three years. She will begin her new role July 1.

Learn more at https://bit.ly/4cRB9u3.

05/04/2026

The Legacy We Learn: A Black History Summer Academy Story ✨
The trailer for our short-film produced by Dr. Leonard Horton with Missouri State University where we sit down with Gwendolyn Marshall and Regina Rogers 💎
These are two of many women and men in our community who contributed to over 30 years of free summer programming for youth and adults throughout Missouri 🌱
This is their story • This is our story • This is BHSA ✨

1 like. "The Legacy We Learn (Official Trailer)"

05/04/2026

Student & Adult Classes Open for Registration NOW ✨
Sign up for Black History Summer Academy on our website here www.417-bridgebuilders.org/programs/bhsa ⬅️
Who: Youth (K-12) + Adults
What: Dinner, music, classes, and much more!
When: June 8th - 11th • 5:30–8 PM
Where: Drury University (Lay & Pearson Hall)
And don't forget about the Ariya Celebration that starts at 6 PM at The Barley House at Moon Town Crossing on June 12th (Friday) - You won't want to miss it 🎉
Please contact us if you have any questions about registration or programming by emailing us at [email protected]

04/27/2026

The Legacy We Learn: A Black History Summer Academy Story ✨
Click Here to Watch Trailer: https://youtu.be/0Jx0Lb6WjIc
The trailer for our short-film produced by Dr. Leonard Horton with Missouri State University where we sit down with Gwendolyn Marshall and Regina Rogers who are two of many women and men in our community who have been the heartbeat of the BHSA for decades 🧱
They take us back by sharing stories of how the program grew and evolved over the years • They share of programming, events, and field trips where communities learned about their history, giving participants something no classroom could replicate ✨
Gwen and Regina speak candidly about why this program matters — and who it matters for • Not just children • Not just one generation • Everyone!
Because access to art, education, culture, and opportunity is not something any communities should have to earn or go without 🖤🤎
This is their story • This is our story • This is BHSA ✨

04/27/2026

!!!REGISTRATION OPEN!!! ✨
Registration for Black History Summer Academy is officially open on our website at www.417-bridgebuilders.org/programs/bhsa 🎉
When: June 8th - 12th • 5:30–8 PM
Where: Drury University (Lay & Pearson Hall)
What: Dinner, music, classes, and much more!
We can’t wait to see everyone there!
In the meantime, if you have any questions about registration, programming or anything else, please reach out to us here..
[email protected]

04/15/2026

Thank you again Community Foundation of the Ozarks 😁

More than 20 high school students managed the grant program, supplemented by a generous gift from JE Dunn Construction.

04/14/2026

Our first grant as a non-profit 🎉
What a blessing to receive this grant from Community Foundation of the Ozarks • Special shoutout to Terry Campbell for putting the work in to write it 😁
We have a solid team folks that recognize we are standing on the shoulders of giants • Those before us that paved the way to where we are now such as Dr. Rosalyn Thomas, Gwen Marshall, Regina Rogers, and countless others 🤎🖤
We promise to continue honoring their legacy as we grow and expand into the future • Making sure that our children and families have access to art, education, culture, and opportunity ✨