417 Bridge Builders

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 ✨

04/13/2026

WARNING: The history we’re sharing is disturbing, heavy and graphic - Please contact us at [email protected] if you’re interested in learning more or receiving the sources we used ℹ️
Easter Sunday in 1906, Fred Coker (21), Horace Duncan (22) (1st Picture), and Will Allen were hung, burned, and mutilated in in Springfield by a mob of 8,000 that consisted of police officials, clergy, business owners, bankers, judges, women, and children...
The 2nd picture depicts souvenir coins that were made to “commemorate” the lynching - Additionally limbs, skulls, and remains were taken by onlookers as souvenirs
The 3rd picture depicts a bandstand where the lynching took place that ironically hails a golden statue of liberty - The 4th picture is a clipping from a St. Louis Newspaper depicting this irony in a graphic cartoon
Coker & Duncan were accused of ra**ng a white woman named Mina Edwards and robbing a white man named Charles Cooper on April 14th despite zero evidence
On the other hand, Will Allen was arrested on a separate date related to the murder of confederate war veteran, again, without any evidence
Leaders nor participants in the mob were held responsible and after the lynching, the situation was so intense that the National Guard stayed in the city for 10 days
In the end, innocent boys were killed, those arrested were bonded out with $366,000 provided by bankers, judges, and clergymen, and at least 10% of our community fled out of the city
Unfortunately, the lynching speaks to systems of white supremacy culture, patriarchy, and capitalism that continue to exist in our society, but it also speaks to our growth, resilience, and perseverance as a community in the years after
As we strive forward, let us not forget the names of Fred Coker, Horace Duncan, and Will Allen, all of which had a bright future ahead and so much more to offer our communities 💔
Our Past Presents the Future Weekly Series will be taking a break as we gear up for summer programming so stay tuned for more information in the upcoming weeks ✨

04/13/2026

WARNING: The history we’re sharing is disturbing, heavy and graphic - Please contact us at [email protected] if you’re interested in learning more or receiving the sources we used ℹ️
Easter Sunday in 1906, Fred Coker (21), Horace Duncan (22) (1st Picture), and Will Allen were hung, burned, and mutilated in in Springfield by a mob of 8,000 that consisted of police officials, clergy, business owners, bankers, judges, women, and children...
The 2nd picture depicts souvenir coins that were made to “commemorate” the lynching - Additionally limbs, skulls, and remains were taken by onlookers as souvenirs
3rd picture depicts a bandstand where the lynching took place that ironically hails a golden statue of liberty - 4th picture is a clipping from a St. Louis Newspaper depicting this irony in a graphic cartoon
Coker & Duncan were accused of ra**ng a white woman named Mina Edwards and robbing a white man named Charles Cooper on April 14th despite zero evidence
On the other hand, Will Allen was arrested on a separate date related to the murder of confederate war veteran, again, without any evidence
Leaders nor participants in the mob were held responsible and after the lynching, the situation was so intense that the National Guard stayed in the city for 10 days
In the end, innocent boys were killed, those arrested were bonded out with $366,000 provided by bankers, judges, and clergymen, and at least 10% of our community fled out of the city
Unfortunately, the lynching speaks to systems of white supremacy culture, patriarchy, and capitalism that continue to exist in our society, but it also speaks to our growth, resilience, and perseverance as a community in the years after
As we strive forward, let us not forget the names of Fred Coker, Horace Duncan, and Will Allen, all of which had a bright future ahead and so much more to offer our communities 💔
Our Past Presents the Future Weekly Series will be taking a break as we gear up for summer programming so stay tuned for more information in the upcoming weeks ✨

04/08/2026

Black History Summer Academy (BHSA) is right around the corner, and today Indi Cordell, Dr. Cicely Woodard, Mikey Marshall, and Natasha Brown met in preparation - We have some exciting updates leading up to our summer programming...
Next BHSA Meeting for Teachers, Volunteers, and Admin: April 21st (Virtual Meeting) 😁
Art, History, and Music Classes at Drury University : June 8th, 10th, and 11th ✨
BHSA Mini-Park Day at Silver Springs Park and Pool : June 9th 🏞️
Ariya Celebration at The Barley House at Moon Town Crossing : June 12th ✨
Follow us to learn more as we gear up for registration that will open soon - We're looking forward to seeing everyone this year!

04/03/2026

Today we’re honored to highlight Monica Horton who’s been with the program since 2017 🧱
Girls HS Educator (2017; 2022–Current)
Assistant Director (2018–2021)
Co-Executive Curator of Coloring Book (2019–2021)
Monica expressed what she cares most regarding 417 Bridge Builders programs, “I care that everyone connected with BHSA becomes an ambassador for BHSA for the long-term sustainability of the program; whether they become an annual sponsor, volunteer recruiter, fundraiser event planner, or a grant-writer so that BHSA becomes sustainably well-resourced for generations of kids to come…
Many Black Springfield residents, college students, and young professionals do not know that BHSA exists in Springfield, so I care that everyone who identifies with the uplift and advancement of the Black children and the Black community knows about BHSA and are aware of opportunities to connect with the program 🤎🖤
New volunteers tend to feel a sense of pride in their culture but also feel a sense of connectedness serving alongside other Black teachers and volunteers to operate the program 🧱
Finally, I care that Black female high school graduates and their village are acknowledged for their accomplishments and celebrated for the promise of their bright futures!”
When asking Monica why this work matters to her, this is was her beautiful response, “First and foremost, I am fearfully and wonderfully made so I am proud to be who God made me to be in this world - Black! I love being Black! My sense of self-pride and community pride grew while attending Tuskegee University following high school…
I can remember when my daughter was 4 years old and I wanted to find places in Springfield where she could grow up around Black kids and have Black teachers and role models because representation in the formative years of Black children matters for confidence, self-esteem, healthy racial identity development, and higher aspirations ✨
African-Americans gave so much to America allowing others to build + maintain their generational wealth and legacies. We have much more to give the world and inherent as we transfer our customs, traditions, stories in spaces like BHSA ⭐️

03/29/2026

This we week we’re highlighting Lincoln Community School’s speech team & the infamous marching band ✨.
Springfield’s school board did not fund any athletics or extracurricular programs, allegedly because they would be too expensive, but as you know the truth lies somewhere in between it all…
So in the 1940s and 50s our community raised funds to formed a marching band, along with other programs like the Speech Club (2nd Slide) ✨
Community Members gathered the little resources they had and raised money for the uniforms and instruments, and under the direction of William P Foster and Gerald Brooks, the Lincoln Band received regional acclaim and several awards ✨
3rd Slide: William P Foster is recognized as one of the world’s most renowned band directors, and was the creator of the acclaimed Florida A&M University Marching 100 Band for over 50 years - He taught at Lincoln for 2 years (1941-1943) 🤯
4th Slide: In 1947, Gerald Brooks picked up where Foster left off, helping arrange the rental of instruments, coordinate events, and lead the band - Under his direction, the Lincoln Band was a force and became one of the most well-known bands in the state 🧱
This is a gentle reminder of the power of music, arts, and community and what we can do when we put our minds and resources together ✨

03/25/2026

Behind of the scenes of our last Board Meeting with our officers ✨

03/25/2026

Black History Summer Academy 2026 is right around the corner ✨
Here’s a behind the scenes look at our Board Meeting with our President (Natasha Brown), Secretary (), Treasurer (Terry Campbell), and Director of Events (Dr. Cicely Woodard) 🧱
Save the dates…
BHSA 2026 • June 8th - 11th 📚
Ariya Celebration • June 12th 🎉
Follow and share this page to stay updated on the times, locations, and additional programming information ✅

03/23/2026

This week we take a deep dive into the rich history of Lincoln Community School (LCS) 💎
We’re specifically talking about what’s known in the community as “old” and “new” LCS📚
Old LCS was a two-story building that opened in 1884; however, it was eventually sold and razed in 1968…
The first picture you see is of New LCS which opened in 1831 - It was a school and community center that hosted dances, pageants, and events that empowered our communities ✨
Sidenote: The 2nd picture is of a chemistry class in New LCS and 3rd picture is of LCS’s 1921 Graduating Class 💎
Despite lack of funding, resources, and support from the Board of Education this was our space to grow, build community, and try to provide opportunities for our people 🤎🖤
Unfortunately, Lincoln closed in 1955, and there is discrepancy as to why, but one can come up with some conclusions based on this statement from Dr. Lederer (Former Missouri State Professor)...
“Mrs. Oliver Decatur was sent into the white school system of Springfield a year before Lincoln was closed, in order to test community reaction. Encountering community resistance to white students’ attending a formerly black high school, the city closed it”
The following year It was converted into Eastwood Junior High School and received access to additional resources as a newly integrated school 🧐
Today the building is part of a local community college as Lincoln Hall; however, it serves as a reminder of what our communities can do when we are provided with opportunities 🖤🤎
So next week we’ll dig into some of those success stories from LCS and highlight the huge impact the school had throughout the communities 🧱

03/21/2026

Today we’re highlighting Terry Campbell who serves as our Treasurer and is currently in his third year of involvement with the organization ✨
In alignment with our mission, Terry is passionate about making a meaningful and lasting impact in Springfield, particularly by investing in our youth and cultivating the next generation of leaders and changemakers 🧱
He is committed to connecting individuals with opportunities, passions, and initiatives that resonate with them personally while also creating a positive impact within the community ✨
Through the promotion of hard work, strong character, and intentional mentorship, Terry strives to help bridge gaps and reduce barriers for all who call the 417 home 🏡
For Terry, service is not simply something he does—it is foundational to who he is. He believes in leading with optimism, integrity, and action, setting a positive example that inspires others to pursue excellence and contribute to the greater good ❤️
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Whether through mentoring, coaching, or volunteering, his dedication to the growth, development, and life trajectory of young people remains unwavering...
Terry serves Springfield with pride, purpose, and enthusiasm, working to ensure that every young person has the support and opportunity to thrive 🧱
Terry believes that when students feel valued, become inspired, and discover their purpose, the possibilities for what they can achieve are limitless ♾️
He embraces the philosophy of “Reach one, teach one,” believing that intentional connections and mentorship can create a ripple effect—where investing in one individual can inspire and uplift many others ❤️
We are beyond blessed to have community members like Terry and wouldn’t be where we would without the support of many others you will continue to learn about 🌱