TARBORO, N.C. (July 17, 2025) — The Edgecombe County Board of Education unanimously adopted a community redistricting map for its 2026 electoral districts earlier this week. The vote was the culmination of almost two years’ worth of work between Southern Coalition for Social Justice (SCSJ), the School Demerger Community Redistricting Working Group, and the Edgecombe Community.
“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 redistricting working group is a coalition including individuals from across Edgecombe working together to elevate the voices of community constituents. 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. This demerger led to Edgecombe County Public Schools absorbing nearly 10,000 students and residents from the Rocky Mount-Edgecombe County area, effectively forming a new school system.
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. They were active in providing input from across the Edgecombe community on the redistricting process and submitted multiple letters to the Board, including one requesting inclusion and transparency prior to the demerger and others providing crucial information about locations of various communities of interest.
Overall, the working group mobilized more than 200 community members to attend public hearings about the maps and encouraged more than 60 speakers to give public comment in favor of their preferred map, Map C. The Board considered a separate map, Map D-2, which helped white members of the Board while packing Black voters into two districts with higher than 80% Black voting age population. However, the strong community presence and voice supporting Map C moved the Board to vote for the community’s choice.
Read the advocacy letter here.
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Southern Coalition for Social Justice, founded in 2007, partners with communities of color and economically disadvantaged communities in the South to defend and advance their political, social, and economic rights through the combination of legal advocacy, research, organizing, and communications. Learn more at southerncoalition.org and follow our work on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Felecia Phillips Ollie DD (h.c.) is the inspiring leader and founder of The Equality Network LLC (TEN). With a background in coaching, travel, and a career in news, Felecia brings a unique perspective to promoting diversity and inclusion. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in English/Communications, she is passionate about creating a more inclusive future. From graduating from Mississippi Valley State University to leading initiatives like the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program, Felecia is dedicated to making a positive impact. Join her journey on our blog as she shares insights and leads the charge for equity through The Equality Network.
