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| Welcome to The Concerned Citizens of Tillery home page. We are continually evolving and uncovering the history of Tillery, North Carolina.
 | Mission To promote and improve the social, economic, and educational welfare of the citizens of Tillery and the surrounding community area through the self-development of its members. | |
 | Vision Statement Concerned Citizens of Tillery envisions and empowered, sustainable community that builds on our natural, historic and cultural resources to promote economic independence, a healthy and environmentally sound life, the development of heritage and agricultural tourism that honors and celebrates the spirit and fortitude of Tillery and an enhanced quality of life through our own outside participation in conferences, retreats, seminars and other educational activities. |
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Concerned Citizens of Tillery Profile  CCT has been a catalyst for positive social change not only in the Tillery Community and Halifax County, but across the state, nation and the world. While the issues that CCT addresses start with what is confronting the Tillery community, the struggles do not stop at the community boundaries of Tillery, in fact CCT members pursue justice and help others across the nation and world. This has made CCT a national and international leader in a variety of areas, from justice for Black farmers, to health care, to environmental justice. In all of these fields, CCT has served as a catalyst, leading others to achieve great milestones.
CCT has always been centrally focused on improving the lives of Tillery residents, through many ways. CCT offered Adult Basic Education classes, and many students of these classes went on the get their high school equivalency diploma, and as one student, Ann Couch said, “When I entered the class here at the Center I found support that I never had before.” She went on to graduate from Halifax County Community college with a B average! CCT has had an active role in education, besides helping its members get an education, CCT has been an ardent advocate for quality education in Halifax County. In 1986, a great struggle between the community members and the Halifax County Board of Education occurred. In order to prevent the Board from terminating the contract of the first female and the only Black woman superintendent, ever, of the Halifax County School System, 5 members of the Halifax County Black Caucus, including CCT’s Executive Director Gary R. Grant were arrested. At the next Board Meeting, one lone individual also was arrested for closing down the meeting, CCT’ Evangeline Grant Redding Briley. This group became known as the Halifax County 5 + 1. In areas other than education, CCT has always been a leader in Halifax County and North Carolina. In 199, CCT began discussions that eventually led to the establishment of the Tillery Volunteer Fire Department and District. With leadership from the late Leanders “Lee” Amason and Kenneth Thompson, CCT led the push to organize this Department.
How We Have SucceededCCT has accomplished many of its goals since its creation in 1978. Each member organization has had its successes and CCT celebrates with them... The Concerned Citizens of Tillery's unique, creative and path breaking organizing model has been recognized locally, nationally and internationally. However, we do not proceed with our mission in order to receive awards. CCT firmly believes that in order for communities to survive, members must have a voice in the decisions which will have an impact, adverse or otherwise, on their lives. We will continue to work toward creating a safe environment where even the most alienated, disenfranchised and historically oppressed people can speak, for speaking is the first step toward action.
CCT has successfully seated grassroots folk on county boards including the Council on Aging, the Health Department, School Board, and other programs including Smart Start. CCT drafted and implemented the first Intensive Livestock Ordinance in North Carolina, copied by many other counties, and also created a model for health care in partnerships with universities that also was used in five other communities. CCT has opened the Resettlement Community Restaurant and Store in Tillery and helped local and state politicians win their office.
1990 -- Community Service Award -- Eastern District Funeral Directors & Mortician Association
1991 -- Rippling Effect Award -- Halifax County Health Department
1992 -- Honorary Shareholder -- Food Bank of North Carolina
1992, 1994 -- Image Award -- Halifax County NAACP 
1993 -- First International Healthier Communities Award -- Sponsored by the Health Care Forum, San Francisco CA and Marion Merrill Dow, Inc., Kansas City KS 1994 -- Groundwater Guardian Pilot Community -- National Groundwater Foundation, Lincoln NE 1994 -- The Nubian Youth receives Youth of the Year award from Spiritual Connections Community Network
1994, 1995, 1996 -- Environmental Success List -- Recognized by Renew America 1995 -- CCT won the NC State Historic Halifax Resolves Award for its Photo Exhibit of “Remembering Tillery... A New Deal Resettlement.” We were the first African American group or individual to receive the award
1995 -- Certificate of Environmental Achievement -- The National Awards Council for Environmental Sustainability
1995 -- Certificate of Appreciation -- Brawley High School Reunion
1995 -- We the Peoples: 50 Communities Award -- In honor of the United Nations 50th Anniversary, Friends of the United Nations
1996 -- Trail Blazer Award -- For Extraordinary Activism In Building the Environmental Justice Movement 1997-- Renew America Certificate of Achievement is awarded to CCT 1997 -- Halifax County NAACP’s First ever Humanitarian Award. 1998 -- CCT’s HELP project wins Renew America’s 1998 Environmental Success Index Award 1999 -- CCT wins a Trailblazer Award for extraordinary action in building the environmental justice movement, from the EPA REGION IV African American Environmental Justice Action Network 2000 -- October- CCT receives the U.S. Forest Service Rural Community National Outreach Award for “Spirit, Hard Work and Commitment to the Future” 2001-- CCT wins Outstanding Non-Profit Support Award from the North Carolina Council for Women  2003 -- CCT Receives the Natural Community Champion Award from the Conservation Fund
2003 -- CCT’s Executive Director, Gary R. Grant receives the Torchbearer Award for Excellence in Organizing for Democracy, from DEMOCRACY NC 2003 -- CCT CELEBRATES its Silver Anniversary! 25 YEARS of Positive Social Change!!!! |
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Contact InformationPlease feel free to contact us via fax or e-mail 24 hours a day, or to call us at our office during our normal business hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm EST. - Telephone
252.826.3017 - FAX
252.826.3244 - Postal address
P.O. Box 61 - Tillery, North Carolina 27887
- Electronic mail
General Information: tillery@aol.com
Webmaster: xeons05@aol.com
How's the weather in Halifax County?
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Celebrating 25 Years of Positive Social Change! 
