417 Bridge Builders

✨ Ariya 2026 ✨
Here’s a sneak peak into 417 Bridge Builders 2026 Ariya Celebration hosted at The Barley House at Moon Town Crossing ( The Barley House at MTC ) in Springfield, Missouri ✨
The Ariya Celebration is a free event with food, music, and entertainment that showcases the talented youth in our community • For years, a huge part of this event is our elders speaking life into our high school girls (Kwanzishas) graduating and entering into adulthood through a series of cultural ceremonies ✨
This was our first year at this venue and it couldn’t have gone any better at this beautiful location • Thank you to all the volunteers and staff who made this possible 😁
Our kids showed up and showed out singing some traditional songs they learned in the week long Black History Summer Academy while introducing some new tunes led by Cody Yanez who’s been volunteering with us for over 7 years!
Visit our website to learn more and see how you can get involved with us • We’d love to see you volunteer, attend our events, and be involved in anyway you feel called 😁
We can’t wait to see you at next year’s celebration where we’ll continue to highlight the Black and Brown excellence that is found throughout our communities 🤎🖤

🎟️ Mini-Park Day 2026 🎟️
This is what community looks and feels like at Mini-Park Day, where all are welcomed to come as they are and fellowship with other members of the community✨
Shoutout to Springfield Public Schools for supporting us by providing us with meals year after year to make sure everyone leaves with full bellies and spirits 😁
Looking forward to seeing everyone next year for Mini-Park 2027 which is our free summer event that provides food, live music, and activities for all ages ✨

✨Mini-Park Day 2026 ✨
We’re back! Thank you for your support this year and for your patience as the team took a hiatus after an eventful summer 😁
Over the next several months you’ll get to see more highlights from 417 Bridge Builders 2026 Summer Programming as we gear up for 2027 ✨
Here’s a few of our special moments during mini-park day which is an opportunity for all ages to build community with one another through food, music, and activities ✨
This year was extremely special as it was our first time utilizing the beautiful new pavilion at Silver Springs Park which was only possible through the support of community leaders and the city of Springfield!

We look forward to seeing everyone who’s able to make it to our Ariya Celebration tonight • There will be food, beverages, entertainment, an art fair with young artists from BHSA, and more • And it’s all free so come on by and celebrate with us 🥳
And remember that this year we are at the Barley House at Moontown Crossing in Springfield, Missouri located at the following address:

📍 3060 N Kentwood Ave, Springfield, MO 65803

6/9/26: We’re back at the newly renovated Silver Springs Park for our annual mini-park day and we can’t wait to see everyone who is able to make it ✨
We’ll have free food, entertainment, and activities available to everyone in the community so come on out and get your summer started off right ✨

Our second grant of the year 🎉
Indi Cordell Cicely Woodard and Natasha Brown had the honor of accepting a grant from Springfield Regional Arts Council this weekend which will ensure that we can continue to provide free programming to our communities ✨
We cannot thank everyone involved enough for the all the support in getting us to this point • As we continue to evolve we look forward to expanding, enhancing, and increasing our offerings to the community 🌱
If you want to learn more about how you can get involved, feel free to check out our website or contact us directly through one of our many channels ⚡️

BHSA & The Ariya Celebration 2026 is right around the corner — Check out the classes we’re offering and preregister below!
Sign up for Black History Summer Academy on our website here www.417-bridgebuilders.org/programs/bhsa ⬅️
Who: Youth (K-12) + Adults of All Demographics
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]

Today it an absolute honor to highlight Gwendolyn Marshall and Regina Rogers — Two pillars that held us up for decades and the shoulders we stand on 🧱
We live in a time where our stories and history are in danger of being rewritten or erased. We must be guardians of our rich, historic ancestral heritage and ensure the legacy of our African American culture is passed on to the next generation. Our young people must be informed, and it is our obligation and sacred duty to prepare them to continue the work. I am honored to know that BHSA/Ariya fosters the legacy of unity and comradery within the community in Springfield, and we are also proud of the fact that our diverse array of participants makes friends and forge lasting relationships across socio-economic and cultural lines. As the baton has been passed on to the next generation of leaders, we are grateful for their willingness to take the vision into a new era
— Gwen Marshall • Former President & Current Wise Council Member
As a native of Kansas City, Missouri, growing up I was accustomed to being exposed to African American teachers, doctors, and professjonals on a regular basis. I saw “us” everywhere and we were always surrounded by opportunities to learn our history. Historically, AA stufents heres in Springfield did not have those same opportunities. I’m excited about BHSA because it provides young people with the chance not only to see a concentrated group of people who look like them in uplifting settings, but they see them in the context of learning about their real history. Despite what a segment of current culture says, people of color understand the importance of positive representation. Springfield has grown in many ways in the 30+ years I have lived here, but BHSA beautifully addresses the gaps where there is still underrepresentation in numerous spaces. I am grateful for the time I had to work alongside Ms. Gwen and so many others in the early days of laying the foundation for BHSA and the Ariya Celebration. And I am certain, as the vision and mission move forward into the future, our new leadership will take it to the next level!
— Regina Rogers • Former Admin
We would not be here if it wasn't for these community leaders who are the foundation of our existence - As they pass the torch, we intend to honor the legacy they built 🧱