Launched in the summer of 2019, Freedom Hill Coalition provides ongoing opportunities for organizations across North Carolina to connect and re-imagine an equitable public education system for ALL students. We are committed to building spaces, structures, and institutions that transform existing systems of power.
For more information or to join as a member, please contact Corina De La Torre at corina@creed-nc.org
What is the Freedom Hill Coalition?
The Freedom Hill Coalition is named after the first settlement of formerly enslaved people in the U.S., established in 1865 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. The freedpeople called the area "Freedom Hill" to represent their newfound opportunity to shape their destinies despite the challenging landscape. For CREED, Freedom Hill symbolizes the still-unrealized goal of equity for people of color in North Carolina. As noted in CREED's "Deep Rooted" report, freedpeople saw education as critical for autonomy after the Civil War. The coalition draws on this history to highlight the ongoing fight for educational equity and the power of education to empower marginalized communities, working towards a more just future inspired by the legacy of Freedom Hill.
Freedom Hill embodies the radical imagination needed to pursue racial equity in education. It also serves as a stark reminder that we still have not reached the summit of educational opportunity for ALL students.
How was the Coalition formed?
On June 7th, 2019, the Center for Racial Equity in Education (CREED) organized a meeting of diverse leaders and organizations across North Carolina committed to advancing racial equity. The attendees represented various stakeholders, including elected officials, educators, parents, students, nonprofit leaders, activists, organizers, philanthropists, and consultants. During the meeting, CREED presented the preliminary findings of their "E(race)ing Inequities" report. Following the presentation, CREED invited the attendees to join a new statewide coalition led by CREED, with the goal of developing a shared, coherent agenda for achieving racial equity in education. As a result of this meeting, over 20 individuals and organizations committed to becoming founding members of what would be known as the Freedom Hill Coalition united in their dedication to promoting educational equity for all students in North Carolina.
Ways we work
The Freedom Hill Coalition is a collaborative effort that brings organizations together to work towards achieving equity within NC. We recognize the power we hold as individuals and believe our collective voices can shape the future of education for the next generation. By sharing space, listening to one another, and working together, we can address systemic oppression with the sense of urgency it requires. We encourage participants to bring their whole selves to this work, recognizing that our diverse identities and experiences contribute to the coalition's strength. Our work is rooted in a rich and complex history that informs us of our approach. We prioritize engaging in multicultural and multiracial dialogue, which serves two key purposes: first, to uncover and understand the realities faced by children of color, and second, to elevate and amplify the voices of those committed to sustainable, long-term efforts toward creating transformative change.
At its core, the Freedom Hill Coalition is a journey grounded in truth-seeking and transformation. To embark on this work effectively requires a significant commitment from individuals and organizations across various sectors. We must push for accountability while remaining steadfast in our belief that together, we have the power to create a more just and equitable future for all.
