The Edgecombe County Board of Education adopted a community-redistricting map known as Map C to align with the needs of the community. This decision came after nearly two years of collaboration among the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, the School Demerger Community Redistricting Working Group, and local residents. The working group's aim was to ensure equitable representation for minority voters and safeguard communities of interest. They consulted with community stakeholders to relay essential information regarding needs, priorities, and transparency, advocating for effective representation post school system changes.
"The adoption of Map C, the community's preferred map, was truly a monumental win for the residents of Edgecombe County because it protects communities of interest and provides equitable representation for minority voters," said Mitchell Brown, Senior Counsel for Voting Rights at SCSJ.
"The effort of the working group truly exemplifies the power of community organizing and what happens when we are able to speak truth to power. We applaud the community's work and the Board's adoption of Map C."
The School Demerger Community Redistricting Working Group was formed following the breakup of Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools, a system established after a 1989 desegregation lawsuit.
In response to the Board's directive to redraw school board districts, the working group consulted Edgecombe school board members, local officials, faith leaders, and residents to understand community priorities and guide its advocacy efforts.
Collection
[
|
...
]