President
Ada is the former president of the Multicultural Genealogical Center
in Chesterhill, Ohio. She is a widely respected historian and
genealogist.
Vice President
Peggy P. Lee is a Senior Staff Attorney with Legal Aid of Southeast & Central Ohio in its Athens office, where she currently specializes in Fair Housing. She is also a founding member of the Ohio legal aid-based Racial Justice Task Force.
Treasurer
Regis is a successful nonprofit professional with 16 years experience in grants management. He is dedicated to strengthening the network of stakeholders allied with Black people in Southeastern Ohio through developing the practical and normative resources necessary to sustain
storytelling, spirituality, and cultural memory.
- treasurer@mountzionathens.org
Secretary
Beth is a former school psychologist in Southeast Ohio and served for 12 years at a mental health clinic. She currently pursues social justice issues.
Communications & Media Director
Dr. Ford is a 2026 NAB Storyteller Ohio Fellow whose post-academic philanthropic work focuses on researching and preserving Athens County’s ancestral history. Her documentary storytelling series, Black Wall Street Athens County, recovers significant chapters of southeastern Ohio’s Appalachian history that have been destroyed, erased, or forgotten.
Board Director
An ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) U.S. and Canada, Jack is a minister, ecumenist, educator, and justice advocate. He recently retired after 42 years of ministry, with the last seven as Executive Director of the Ohio Council of Churches. A member of O.U.’s Class of 1983, Jack worshiped at Mount Zion Baptist Church and sang with the renowned Gospel Voices of Faith. He currently serves as an adjunct instructor at Phillips Theological Seminary, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Board Director
Leslie is a former college dean at Ohio University and Episcopal priest. She now serves as a spiritual companion and supply preacher.
Board Director
Dr. Cambridge is professor emeritus in the School of Media Arts and Studies at Ohio University’s Scripps College of Communication.
Board Director
Dr. Nelson is professor emeritus from the School of Media Arts & Studies at Ohio University.
Board Director
Elizabeth “Libby” is an historian and former VP of Human Resources at the Cincinnati Enquirer. She is the fourth generation in her family to have attended Mount Zion.
Board Director
Dr. Middleton is Dean Emerita and Professor of the The Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education at Ohio University.
Board Director
Ann is a former Chief Information Officer at the University of California, Merced and Associate Vice Chancellor Emeritus, a former Encore Fellow & Chief Data & Learning Officer at UpTogether.org, and an Ohio University alumna.
Board Director
Susan is a retired family physician with years of experience volunteering with the underserved.
Board Director
Beverly Olson Flanigan is a retired professor of linguistics at Ohio University. She has lived in Athens since 1980 and has been involved in the Mount Zion restoration effort for the past 10-12 years.
Vista/AmeriCorps
Avery is an Ohio University graduate with a background in International Studies and Communication. At Mount Zion, she supports communications, programming, and community engagement, with a focus on social media, visual storytelling, and sharing the history and work of the organization.
