The Lincoln School Project will host a public moderated discussion featuring candidates for the Missouri 154th District on Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at historic Lincoln School.
The event will feature:
- Lisa Durnell
- Travis Smith
- Jo-Jo Stewart
The discussion will be moderated by Crockett and Tonya Oaks, Founders of the Lincoln School Project, and is designed to provide community members with an opportunity to hear directly from candidates regarding their vision for the future of the 154th District and the State of Missouri.
The evening will focus on leadership, public service, community priorities, and the challenges and opportunities facing rural communities. Audience members will also have an opportunity to hear the candidates discuss their approach to representing constituents and working effectively within the legislative process.
Each candidate will receive equal time to answer questions, and response order will rotate throughout the evening to ensure a fair and balanced discussion.
“We believe meaningful conversations are essential to a healthy democracy,” said Crockett Oaks III, Executive Director and Founder of the Lincoln School Project. “Our goal is not to promote a particular political viewpoint, but rather to provide a respectful forum where citizens can hear directly from those seeking to represent them. At Lincoln School, we also believe in demonstrating how bipartisanship can strengthen communities like ours. When people come together around shared goals and mutual respect, meaningful progress becomes possible.”
Tonya Oaks, Founder of the Lincoln School Project, added, “Historic Lincoln School has become a place where people gather to learn, reflect, and engage with one another. We are honored to continue that tradition by hosting a discussion that encourages civic participation and thoughtful dialogue.”
The Lincoln School Project continues its mission of using preservation, education, and community programming to create opportunities for learning, dialogue, and understanding throughout the region. As the organization celebrates the schoolhouse’s 100-year anniversary in 2026, events such as this moderated discussion reflect its ongoing commitment to community engagement and informed citizenship.
The event is open to the public, and community members are encouraged to attend and participate in this important civic conversation. Seating is limited so please email us at LincolnSchool65775@gmail.com to RSVP.
Event Details
Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Historic Lincoln School, West Plains, Missouri
Admission: Free and Open to the Public
About the Lincoln School Project
Founded by Crockett and Tonya Oaks, the Lincoln School Project is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of the historic Lincoln School, a one-room segregation-era Black school built in 1926 in West Plains, Missouri. Through restoration, educational programming, public art, and community events, the Lincoln School Project seeks to honor the past while inspiring future generations through dialogue, understanding, and civic engagement.
For more information about the Lincoln School Project, visit:
