Alumni Spotlight: Zann Nelson, Historical Investigative Researcher

Elizabeth “Zann” Nelson is an historical investigative researcher, freelance writer, public speaker, and community-building consultant specializing in African American history and reconciliation. The Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership sat down with Zann to discuss her most recent work, the Peace Through Justice Project and her time in the Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate Program.

What inspired you to initiate the Peace Through Justice Project, and what were its primary objectives?

It is my hope that the Peace Through Justice Project will expand on what we accomplished in December 2024—finally proving the innocence of three victims who were lynched in Virginia. I’ve spent nearly 20 years trying to find a way toward healing and reconciliation in the community. At first, it was only about Allie Thompson—lynched in 1918—but then I discovered two more cases in the same county.

None of these men received their Constitutional right to due process—two never even had a trial. If no one proved them guilty through witnesses, testimony, or evidence, then they must still be innocent. Yet, with every attempt to bring justice to them, I failed. In 2023, I tried again. I approached the Culpeper County Commonwealth’s Attorney, who, after seeing the evidence, agreed to be involved. That was key because, in this process, the Commonwealth’s Attorney must bring a motion to the Circuit Court Judge. The process requires documented evidence, a state’s prosecuting attorney, and a circuit court judge to hear the case. Finally, the stars aligned, and, though posthumously, the victims were ruled innocent of the charges due to the denial of their Constitutional rights. You can learn more about it in this AP News article.

I realized that even after more than 100 years, bringing justice still brings peace to the community. That’s why I called it Peace Through Justice. Peace means reducing fear—fear of crime, oppression, or an unfair judicial system. People need to trust that they will get a fair trial, and their rights will be upheld.

This project is part of my broader program, Righting the Record, which includes other initiatives. One focuses on recognizing Black men from Culpeper who fought in the Civil War as U.S. soldiers, yet have no local memorial or public recognition.

At its core, all this work is about enabling peace through finding paths to restoring justice and exercising atonement for wrongs of the past—not just for the victims and their families, but for entire communities, both Black and White. I believe many regret that these injustices happened. This isn’t about blaming people today, but about educating them. Some ask, “Why bring this up now?” Because it still matters! Descendants and communities still feel the pain of these events never being acknowledged. Sometimes, just hearing the words “I’m sorry” can mean so much.

A collateral descendant of Allie Thompson recently said—his quote was in The Washington Post—that the Black community may never fully get over this [the lynchings], but having officials step up and declare these men innocent helps.

What are the next steps for your project?

One major goal is to reach out to other communities where lynchings occurred. We’ve created a template that others can replicate. Many places have built memorials to acknowledge past lynchings, but this is the first time a court has officially ruled these men innocent because they never received due process.

The real impact we’re looking for is long-term—raising awareness, fostering reconciliation, and atoning for past injustices. For the related families, it’s about finally being heard and having history recognized: that what happened was unethical, illegal and egregiously wrong. For the White community, it’s about acknowledging the past and working toward a shared sense of justice.

One unexpected impact came from local law enforcement. After the event, our police department posted on Facebook their full support for the action, saying they never want to see anything like this happen again. That was very significant.

Of course, not everyone supports this. One online comment questioned why we would work to prove William Thompson’s innocence when he was accused of assaulting a 12-year-old girl in 1877. She missed the whole point—he never had a trial, and was never proven guilty. Too often, people assume, if someone was arrested, they must be guilty. That’s the mindset we’re trying to change. We ascribe to innocence until proven guilty, and I don’t think anyone would want to live in a world where they could be condemned without a trial.

What challenges have you encountered in promoting peace and justice through this initiative, and how have you addressed them?

Interestingly, I haven’t faced much pushback. The only hesitation has come from some older members of the Black community who feel we shouldn’t stir this up again. I think because of that embedded fear of retribution. But overall, I think my approach has helped avoid major challenges.

The program, Righting the Record (RtR), is about bringing forward history that has been overlooked, denied, or covered up. I try to balance difficult truths with positive stories—like how the Black community, during segregation and Jim Crow, built its own businesses, restaurants, funeral homes, baseball teams, and horse racing organizations. They were creative entrepreneurs providing for their own, rather than simply enduring discrimination.

I never take an approach of rage or blame. Instead, I study why good, churchgoing people participated in or ignored lynchings. The reality is that in almost every community, perpetrators were rarely held accountable. I focus on understanding rather than condemning. I grew up in this community, and I’ve worked hard to maintain a reputation for honesty and non-antagonism. Many in the Black community also aren’t interested in blame, which I think has helped.

Another positive RtR project documents 115 men born in Culpeper County who fought for the U.S. during the Civil War. Yet they have not been recognized. My argument for a memorial is simple: they are U.S. veterans. No one wants to oppose honoring veterans. I choose my battles carefully, always aiming for accuracy and a non-confrontational approach.

What motivated you to apply to the Nonprofit Executive Certificate program, and how has the experience impacted your work?

I applied to the Nonprofit Executive Certificate program while serving as CEO of the Museum of Culpeper History. Though I had experience with nonprofits, I lacked formal training, and since rural communities often rely on nonprofits to address local issues, I saw the program as a valuable opportunity. The board supported my decision, recognizing its benefits for the museum’s management.

The program reinforced the importance of running nonprofits pragmatically—maintaining good records, developing strategic plans, and ensuring accountability. I apply these principles across my projects, emphasizing that nonprofits must operate with the same level of responsibility as businesses. The experience also provided valuable insights from peers in diverse nonprofit sectors, shaping my approach to leadership and community impact.