Source Summit Links Transit to Opportunity

The sixth annual conference in Columbia focused on how improved transit systems can expand opportunities for individuals and disadvantaged communities.

Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Utilities

Source Summit Links Transit to Opportunity

Live Poll

Would better public transit in your area help you reach jobs and healthcare?

Source Summit held its sixth annual conference on transportation and community development on Thursday and Friday at the United Community Builders Beacon of Light Community Center in Columbia. Speakers discussed how improved transit systems can create opportunities for individuals.

Why it matters

Black, Native American and rural communities are disproportionately affected by traffic deaths and injuries, making transportation access a community-development concern for Columbia residents. The summit brought together professionals from transportation, education and faith communities to explore ways to strengthen economic and social progress in disadvantaged areas.

The summit is in its sixth annual year, convened by Lester Woods Jr. and De'Andre Thompson. No attendance, funding or project-outcome figures were reported, and the specific transit commitments that would follow from the discussions remain unspecified.

The players

Lester Woods Jr.

Lester Woods Jr. is Senior Pastor of Urban Empowerment Ministries and CEO of Urban Empowerment Development Corporation, and co-convenes the Source Summit.

De'Andre Thompson

De'Andre Thompson is the City of Columbia's first Diversity, Equity and Inclusion administrator and co-convenes the Source Summit.

Kansas Department of Transportation

The Kansas Department of Transportation is the state agency responsible for the state's highways and transportation systems, and its Intelligent Transportation Systems bureau was represented at the summit.

The details

Leaders from transportation, education and faith sectors took part in networking events, presentations and panels led by experts in their fields. Speakers included Lindsay Francis of the Kansas Department of Transportation and Davonna Moore-Edeh of EDM Smith, and the program highlighted Project PAVE, a workforce development initiative run through Millstone Weber.

Thursday and Friday, week of November 13, 2026: Sixth annual Source Summit conference held in Columbia.

Industry Context

Transit disparities in traffic deaths and injuries affecting Black, Native American and rural communities frame the summit's focus on transportation as a route to economic opportunity. The conference connects that documented safety gap to workforce and community-development efforts such as Project PAVE.

Columbia residents who rely on public transit or who work in transportation-related fields may see future local programs shaped by these discussions. Workforce initiatives like Project PAVE could create training pathways for area residents.

The takeaway

Reliable transportation can be a practical lever for expanding access to jobs and services, especially for communities that face higher rates of traffic harm. Residents interested in these issues can follow local transit and workforce programs as they develop.