• Tillery is a New Deal Resettlement community in eastern North Carolina.

• Crowells, Hills Crossroads, Spring Hill, Slashes, and Dawson comprise this crossroads community

• Tillery's population is 98% African-American.

• Approximately 85% of Tillery's 1200 residents are over age 60.

• The population is primarily women- single mothers and grandmothers.

• Most of the farm jobs have disappeared and have been replaced with low paying factory jobs 15 to 45 miles away from the community.
   

Tillery is located in Halifax County, North Carolina.

• Halifax County is the fourth poorest county in the state of North Carolina.

• African Americans comprise 49% of the population.

• 40% of the African American population lives in poverty.

• 60% of Black children are raised in poverty.

• 56 out of 100 teenage girls get pregnant early.

• Halifax County has the most households in North Carolina (17.5%) with below standard or no indoor plumbing.

The concerned Citizens of Tillery (CCT), Founded in 1978, was built upon the work of previous organizations that had toiled for Civil Rights and Social Justice for African Americans in Tillery and Halifax County.  The impetus for CCT's creation was the School Board's attempt to close the Tillery Chapel Elementary School.  Many of the leaders from past struggles and their children rallied once again to save the community and its school.

From 1978 to 1981, CCT kept the school open; but in 1981 the doors were closed.  However, during the struggle to keep the school open, CCT secured a deed to the Tillery Community Center property.  In 1981, CCT was incorporated as a nonprofit organization, and two years later it become the first Tillery community organization, to achieve federal tax exempt status.  This helped CCT to seek a $15,000 grant from the Z. Smith Reynolds foundation for renovation of the Community Center and program development.

CCT has evolved into a model community-based organization whose purpose is to promote and improve the social, economic and educational welfare of the citizens in the surrounding community through the self-development of its members.  CCT seeks to achieve its mission by providing information, conducting educational activities, participating in voter registration and educational efforts, promoting leadership and teaching organizational skills.  CCT also provides such necessary services as transportation and health care, workshops on issues such as land ownership and debt control, and programs on African American culture and heritage.  CCT gives direction and support to the various member organizations which have or will become part of the Concerned Citizens of Tillery.

Community Organizing
With the philosophy that each community needs to organize around issues most important to it, CCT offers technical support to many local groups in the process of formation and expansion. CCT assists newly organized groups to develop and define their purpose and structure. Most importantly, CCT helps groups work to define their concerns positively and to convert "problems" into "issues" which may be addressed through concrete actions that eventually impact state and national agendas through local action. Any community that would like any type of help, support or guidance from CCT is encouraged to contact us.

Creating Alliances
CCT is always looking to form new coalitions. partnerships and alliances with like-minded institutions and organizations. The Hog Roundtable, People's Health Clinic, and the Southeast Halifax Environmental Reawakening are just three examples of the meaningful and mutually beneficial alliances that CCT has formed. If your organization is interested in joining with CCT to form a meaningful partnership or alliance, please contact us.
 

Join CCT Now!

There are different types of membership in CCT. We would love to have your support!

Please send a check and note with your name, address and type of membership that you are interested in to:

Concerned Citizens of Tillery
P.O. Box 61
Tillery, North Carolina 27887

Intern Program
CCT has developed an intern program for college students that not only provides the organization with much needed assistance but gives college students a unique and valuable experience in community organizing-- in the development and the empowerment of a rural, poor, and isolated Black community. In addition, the people of Tillery benefit from having interns working in the community: students bring a freshness, a new perspective, and a sense of renewal to the community. Interns have been recruited from colleges and universities in New Jersey, Indiana, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Maryland, Connecticut, New York, California, Pennsylvania, and Washington DC.

Speaking Events
Organizations can set up a fundraising event that would be in conjunction with a speaking engagement by a member of CCT. We are especially interested in participating in such events centered around the issue of Black Land Loss.