Zebrina Looney
As a devoted wife of 25 years and mother of four with over 40 years of residence in St Charles County, Zebrina brings a deep connection to our community. In addition to nurturing her family, she proudly serves as a business owner and holds the esteemed position of President at our local NAACP chapter. Her commitment extends beyond professional realms; she actively volunteers for numerous organizations countywide, and she is honored to contribute her insights as a board member with the Missouri Equity for Education Partnership . Together, these roles reflect her dedication to fostering positive change and equity in our community.
Teona McGhaw
Teona McGhaw, is a mom and grandma first. She is knowledgeable of health, education, legal, and social issues as they relate to residents of Missouri. As an above the knee amputee, Teona knows first-hand how important access to quality healthcare is, especially to marginalized communities. She is an advocate for women’s rights and equal educational opportunity for all.
Teona has served as a member of The National Women’s Political Caucus for over 10 years, becoming the first African American to serve as NWPC Missouri President. Her roles over the years include NWPC-St. Louis By-Law Committee Chair and VP of Diversity for the Missouri Women's Political Caucus. In 2019 she formed and became National Co-Chair for NWPC-IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Activities Committee. Her hobbies include spending time doing Tik Toks with her three grandchildren Izaiah, Alaia, and Tru. Her greatest accomplishment are her three sons Trevion, Alphonse IV, and Tyrion.
Dr. Amber Benge is an educator, advocate, and leader with an unwavering commitment to equity and justice. She holds a Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership and Development from the University of Dayton, a Master’s Degree from Louisiana State University, and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas at Dallas. Additionally, she is certified in Human Rights Consulting by the United States Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights. Dr. Benge began her career as a middle school science teacher, where her passion for creating inclusive learning environments first took shape. She now serves as the Co-Executive Director of the Missouri Equity Education Partnership, leading efforts to advance educational equity throughout the state.
Beyond education, Dr. Benge has played a pivotal role in political and social activism. She served as campaign manager for Ray Hartmann’s congressional run in Missouri’s 2nd District, overseeing a nearly $1 million budget and demonstrating her expertise in strategic planning. A longtime advocate for gun control, she organized the 2022 March for Our Lives in response to the tragedies in Uvalde and Buffalo, drawing from her own experience as a mass shooting survivor. She also champions LGBTQIA+ rights, working with organizations like PROMO-Missouri, and is a steadfast supporter of reproductive freedom. Her leadership has gained national recognition, with appearances on Democracy Now and The Dirt Road Democrat with Jess Piper. Honored as a Missouri state delegate for President Biden in both 2020 and 2024, she was also awarded the Presidential Volunteer Service Award’s Lifetime Achievement distinction in 2024. Guided by her motto, “People over party,” Dr. Benge remains dedicated to fostering a more inclusive and just society.
Amber Benge, Ed.D.
We are currently seeking five additional Board Members with specific skills to aid in MOEEP’s operations:
Accounting experience (especially those with 501(c)3/501(c)4 expertise)
Marketing and communications
Fundraising
Grant management
Policy (especially educational policy expertise)
Board management
Community engagement
Advocacy
If you have one or a combination of these skills and expertise, we need you!
You can view MOEEP Board Member Responsibilities here.