About Us
The FREE Zion Project is a research-informed educational center that focuses on Black rural education in “Zion,” a small rural community in Ekron, Kentucky. Our mission is to facilitate community members in creating a curriculum for the Zion Freedom School – an empowering learning environment that encourages Black folks to become critically conscious and better understand their lives as African/Black Americans.
Narrators – i.e., participants – of The FREE Zion Project reflect on their experiences with predominantly white and rural schooling systems in Kentucky. This data is used to provide curricular recommendations for improving the educational lives of Black folks and community-level stakeholders.
*Zion Grove Missionary Baptist Church is our community partner for The FREE Zion Project. The Berea College Institutional Review Board approved the FREE Zion Project on October 1, 2023, and continues approves this project yearly.
"Our mission is to build the Zion Freedom School through careful research, communal obligation, and an intergenerational love for learning."
—Dr. LeAnna Luney, Project Director
The Zion Freedom School is a research-informed conglomerate of courses and programming that:
Highlights the history of Zion Grove School and the Zion community
Provides resources to students and families such as tutoring services, life skill classes, and other services that community members indicate as necessity
Engages Black youth in empowerment courses and activities
Project Trajectory
Oct. 2023 - May 2024
Freedom School Saturdays for adults and curriculum building
June 2024 - Dec. 2025
Member checking and curriculum editing
2026 - 2029
Freedom School Saturdays for youth and curriculum piloting
Our Team
Narrators
Curriculum Builders
ADULT NARRATORS
Curriculum Builders are adult narrators who completed Zion Freedom School classes to share about their schooling experiences in rural, predominantly white school systems, developing a culturally-, historically-, and regionally- specific curriculum for Black youth. Adult classes at the Zion Freedom School concluded at the end of Phase A of The FREE Zion Project, but Curriculum Builders’ storytelling remains an ongoing endeavor through interviews, observation, and community archive building.
Pilots
YOUTH NARRATORS
Pilots are youth narrators who will matriculate through the two-year Zion Freedom School curriculum as the research team assesses the curriculum based on feedback. The feedback that the ethnographer and research team elicit will highlight successes and areas for improvement for the curriculum according to Pilots’ experiences at the Zion Freedom School. Eligible Pilots will be narrators, ages 7 through 25, during Phase C of The FREE Zion Project beginning in May 2026.
Research Support
Dr. LeAnna T. Luney
PROJECT DIRECTOR
Our Project Director, Dr. LeAnna T. Luney, is a child of the Zion community. Her scholarship centralizes Black people’s lived experiences in education, using frameworks of Black feminism and decolonization. Dr. Luney works with intersectional ethnographic research methodologies to create and implement equitable policy in educational systems. The purpose of her work is to support students, families, and communities in re-creating and implementing equitable policy and programming in education systems.
Dr. Luney earned a Ph.D. in Comparative Ethnic Studies, with a specialization in Africana Studies, and Certificate in College Teaching from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2021; a M.A. in Pan-African Studies from the University of Louisville in 2018; and a B.A. in African and African American Studies, and Psychology from Berea College in 2016. In 2021, Dr. Luney trained a Lyman T. Johnson Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Kentucky in the College of Education where she worked with the Education and Civil Rights Initiative. She is currently an assistant professor of African American Studies at Berea College.
Brooklyn Gentry
Research Associate, The FREE Zion Project & FREEdom Summer 2024 - 2025
Hi, I’m Brooklyn Gentry, a junior from Lexington, KY majoring in African & African American Studies with a minor in Pre-Law. I’m a cheerleader, BSU executive council member, a key researcher in the FREE Zion Project and a Gilman Scholar passionate about community advocacy and educational justice. My lived experiences fuel my passion of becoming the first Black lawyer in my family. My passion for this project stems from my own experiences with navigating systemic barriers in education and the deep commitment to helping others access the knowledge and tools they need to thrive. I worked closely with Dr. LeAnna Luney since my freshman year and actively continue being her Teaching Associate. My vision for Black liberation through education continues to guide my work and drive my involvement in the FREE Zion Project.
Providence Buesetusa Suenge
Research Associate, The FREE Zion Project & FREEdom Summer 2025
Providence Buesetusa Suenge is a student researcher and community based educator originating from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies and Psychology at Berea College, where he is also a Bonner Scholar supported by the Corella & Bertram F. Bonner Foundation. His work centers on advancing decolonial and healing-centered approaches within Black and African communities. Deeply interested in the psychological impact of intergenerational racism and anti-Blackness, Providence seeks to explore the often-unacknowledged trauma they produce—and to imagine pathways for collective healing. He aims to expand his academic contributions in ways that remain deeply rooted in community, creating work that is both accessible and resonant—especially through artistic and culturally grounded mediums.
Scholars Studies Specialists
Christina Nabors
Specialist, Scholar Studies Tutoring Service
Christina Nabors is a first-generation college student and a senior at Berea College pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, where she serves as the Executive Vice President of the Student Government Association. A Georgia native and the second oldest of five siblings, Christina's upbringing deeply informs her commitment to education, equity, and advocacy. She aspires to become a school psychologist, driven by her passion for creating equitable spaces, connecting students with meaningful resources, and opening doors for those from her background. With the Free Zion Project, she aims to assist in the creation of a tutoring service that provides additional educational support for scholars in the program, ensuring they have the tools and guidance needed to reenvision their academic outcomes. Through her leadership and academic pursuits, Christina is dedicated to ensuring that every student, especially those who have been historically underserved, has the support and opportunities they deserve.
Ilove Carlton
Specialist, Scholar Studies Tutoring Service
Hello! Ilove Carlton was born and raised in Canton, Ohio and is currently a freshman. She is studies Human Health and Performance to become an athletic trainer while minoring in Spanish. She works in digital media and is wanting to explore different ways to empower those around her. She hopes to break barriers, use her voice for growth, and be a leader.
Jaeda Davis
Specialist, Scholar Studies Tutoring Service
Hi everyone! I am Jaeda Davis, residing in the great city of Birmingham, Alabama, better known as the Magic City. I am a freshman at Berea College, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), where I am also a first-year Bonner Scholar supported by the Corella & Bertram F. Bonner Foundation. My hobbies include crafts, playing solitaire or, as my roommate says, “playing an old people game,” and of course binge-watching my favorite Netflix shows. I am deeply passionate about serving others and developing resources that promote excellence in all areas of personal and professional growth. This has encouraged me to take initiative in this project, as I aspire to empower learning environments and promote Black excellence through educational achievement. Being a part of something bigger than myself fuels a deeper passion for service and education. So, I am excited to explore opportunities for intergenerational growth and wellness in Black and African communities.
Former Team Members
Kamuskay Kamara
Research Associate, FREEdom Summer 2025
Kamuskay Kamara is a rising junior at Berea College, double majoring in Communication and Political Science with a minor in Law, Ethics, and Society. Originally from Sierra Leone, West Africa, Kamuskay is passionate about education, community engagement, and social justice. His work focuses on amplifying youth voices, advancing child rights, and raising awareness on critical social issues through media and grassroots activism. As a two-time storytelling award winner with News Decoder and a former producer and reporter at Voice of Children on Culture Radio FM 104.5 in Sierra Leone, Kamuskay has used storytelling as a tool for advocacy and change. He is the founder and Lead Activist of the Young Active Movement, a non-profit organization dedicated to combating substance abuse among young people, and the founder of SoLuTioN unLimited, a social enterprise improving access to food and transportation in underserved communities. Kamuskay currently serves as President of the African Student Association at Berea College and volunteers as a firefighter for the City of Berea. His leadership is driven by a commitment to ethical engagement, community-centered solutions, and a belief in the power of collaboration to drive meaningful impact.
Ange Davis
Research Associate, FREEdom Summer 2025
Hi! My name is Ange and I'm a 22-year-old Georgian. Being born and raised in Georgia, I'm biased towards sweet cornbread and greens with no vinegar. As the youngest of eight siblings, I've always understood the value of resilience, determination, and community. I'm proud to be a first-generation college student, currently pursuing a major in Business Administration with minor in African American studies. My academic, professional, and personal journey has been shaped by my commitment to uplift and learn about the community that paved the way for me. Some of my hobbies include fishing, cooking, and gardening. My long-lasting passion lies in working for and with my community. Whether it's through local outreach, mentorship, or simply showing up for others, I believe in the power of collective progress and cultural pride. My studies, life experiences, and personal interests all come together to fuel a purpose-driven path that blends business knowledge with social impact. I'm excited to continue building a future where I can lead, serve, and inspire those around me, especially those who come from backgrounds like mine.
Kendall O. Smith
Research Associate, FREEdom Summer 2025
Kendall is a business management major and a proud Black Kentuckian with a deep-rooted passion to create empowering, meaningful change in her community. With a passion for leadership and service, she brings fresh insight and strong organizational skills to the work of The FREE Zion Project. Kendall believes in the power of local voices and is dedicated to supporting initiatives that uplift and empower Black Kentuckians across generations. Through her involvement with The FREE Zion Project, Kendall is dedicated to honoring the legacy of Black Kentuckians while building a future defined by opportunity, dignity, and collective strength. She believes that sustainable progress begins with intentional leadership, active listening, and a bold vision for justice.
Dirressya Jackson
Research Associate, FREEdom Summer 2025
I am a rising Junior at Berea College, willing to further and acquire new skills to grow in both academic and art areas. Born and raised in Chattanooga, TN, I am passionate about music and helping others. I like singing and spending time with family and friends. I aspire to use musical experiences and skills and apply them to the Freedom Summer program to help create a curriculum for black youth to express themselves creatively. Also, to communicate that there is still hope and a chance for a brighter future. I hope to learn more about how music impacts the black experience and how these aspects tie together through The Free Zion Project, Freedom Summer 2025.
M.O. Ayeh
Research Associate, The FREE Zion Project & FREEdom Summer 2025
M.O. Ayeh (she/her/hers) is a member of the Class of 2026 at Berea College, majoring in Sociology. Currently working in the Department of African American Studies, she is involved in a number of extracurriculars, including being a member of the Berea Restorative Justice Collective. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school to continue study of Black women and femmes and how they experience, negotiate, and resist power. By examining their political engagement, cultural production, and media representation, she aims to understand the ways they shape and are shaped by broader social structures and cultural narratives. She is a dedicated student and goes above and beyond in everything she does!
Precious Brown
Research Associate, FREEdom Summer 2024
I am very excited to assist as a researcher on this project to provide the information needed to create the Zion Freedom School that will aid and inspire many Black people within and outside of the community.
Join The FREE Zion Project today!
Funding and Support
The FREE Zion Project is supported by limited funding from the Berea College Department of African American Studies, Berea College Office of the Dean of Faculty, Berea College Undergraduate Research and Creative Projects Program, and funds earned through the Project Director’s involvement in academic fellowship programs.
The FREE Zion Project is also supported by donated materials from the Berea College Department of African American Studies, The Association for Teaching Black History in Kentucky, and the Berea College Center for Excellence in Learning through Service program.
Connect With The FREE Zion Project
The FREE Zion Project
Email: thefreezionproject@gmail.com
Phone: (859) 985-3400
Facebook: @TheFREEZionProject
Dr. LeAnna Luney (PD)
Email: luneyl@berea.edu
Phone: (859) 985-3400
Independent Contact
If you are not satisfied with how this study is being conducted, or if you have any concerns, complaints, or general questions about the research or your rights as a participant, please contact Jim Strand, Administrative Assistant to the Berea College Institutional Review Board (IRB), at (859) 985-3486 or email at strandj@berea.edu.