| For Immediate Release February 17, 2009 |
For More Information Contact: Ed Shelleby (202) 662-3602 |
Clinton, TN – The Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) announced today the appointment of Dr. Sheadrick A. Tillman IV, an experienced educator and ordained deacon, to the position of managing director of the Children’s Defense Fund Haley Farm in Clinton, Tennessee.
“With his extensive record in the educational sector and spiritual leadership, Dr. Tillman will further Haley Farm’s mission to provide a vibrant training ground for the next generation of leadership, advocacy and service champions for children and families,” said CDF President Marian Wright Edelman. “We are pleased to have such a strong community leader and seasoned manager for our training center at Haley Farm as we work to ensure a level playing field for children in Tennessee and every corner of America.”
Dr. Tillman comes to CDF with over 30 years of experience in research administration, grant writing, operations management and strategic planning at major universities and in the private sector. Most recently, he served as the district director for contract compliance and strategic planning at the City Colleges of Chicago where he focused on increasing the number of minority- and women-owned businesses.
As managing director of the Children’s Defense Fund Haley Farm, Dr. Tillman will lead a multi-disciplinary team charged with ensuring the efficient and effective operations of the Farm. He will be responsible for the overall direction of the Farm, maintaining relationships with Tennessee Knoxville-area and Clinton-area community leaders and arranging for the Farm to be used as a resource for a variety of organizations. Through CDF’s programs and events, Haley Farm also serves as a continuous learning center for spiritual renewal, and character and servant-leadership development for youths from Tennessee and around the country.
Dr. Tillman has a history of being involved in civic and community affairs, having served as president of the Knoxville Area Urban League Guild; board member of the Knoxville Area Urban League; chairman of the Board of Directors of MATRIX; president of the Mount Zion Baptist Church Men’s Brotherhood; and as an ordained deacon of Mount Zion Baptist Church. He received his doctorate degree in leadership and educational policy studies from Northern Illinois University, and his master’s (M.S.Ed.) in technical and industrial education and his B.S. in education from Southern Illinois University. He is married to the former Rosalyn Phinissee and they have two adult daughters, Nichole and Danielle.
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