Hilliard Caldwell, a longtime civil rights activist in the greater Chapel Hill community and former Carrboro elected official, died recently at 88 years old. A member of Caldwell’s family alerted Chapelboro to his passing on Monday.

Known for his advocacy and work during Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools’ integration in the 1960s and for organizing civil disobedience protests against racial discrimination, Caldwell often found himself as a mediator to generations of Black Chapel Hill and Carrboro residents — working to inform older and younger people on the reasoning behind different approaches to race relations. He played a hand in advising the nine Lincoln High School students who held a sit-in at Colonial Drug on Franklin Street in 1960, later being nicknamed the Chapel Hill Nine and credited for kickstarting protest efforts in support of the Civil Rights Movement.

Caldwell served four terms on the Carrboro Board of Alderman, from 1981 to 1997. He also worked as a UNC employee and served in his free time as president of the NC Association of School Social Services Personnel, a member of the former Chapel-Hill Carrboro Committee for Racial Equality, a member of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA’s Board of Directors and a board member for the Inter-Faith Council.

The Carrboro government shared a release about Caldwell’s death on Tuesday, calling him a “pivotal figure” in local efforts during the Civil Rights Movement and recognizing his work as a public servant.

“The Town of Carrboro will remember Hilliard Caldwell for his service to the community, for his courage and dedication, and for laying the foundation for an inclusive community,” Mayor Barbara Foushee said in the release.

In interviews from the 1990s and 2000s, which have been preserved by the Marian Cheek Jackson Center’s oral history project “From The Rock Wall,” Caldwell recalled the reception and pushback of school integration efforts. Despite those, he described the process as “very smooth compared to other communities throughout the South.” He also detailed his work on the PTA of his son’s Carrboro elementary school and efforts to combine money from all the local PTA’s to create a fund to provide underprivileged students basic resources.

Caldwell’s interest and investment into the local school district began at an early age, as he attended Lincoln High School in the mid-1950s and served as the all-Black school’s student body president. From there, he attended NC Central University and received professional certifications from Durham Technical Institute and UNC.

A member of St. Joseph C.M.E Church in Chapel Hill, Caldwell’s family said service details will be shared in the coming days.

Featured image via “From The Rock Wall”/Marian Cheek Jackson Center.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
Chapel Hill Unveils New Marker Celebrating Nine Local Civil Rights Activists
Historical Maker Honoring Chapel Hill Nine to be Added to Franklin Street
On February 28 in 1960, nine young men from Chapel Hill’s all-black high school organized a sit-in at the Colonial Drug Store on Franklin Street. These 16 to 18-year-olds from Lincoln High were arrested for seeking the same service that was given to white customers. As their efforts sparked a decade of direct-action civil rights […]
Police: Carrboro Woman Sought in Overnight Stabbing Incident
The Carrboro Police Department is attempting to locate the suspect in an overnight stabbing incident at 101 North Carolina Highway 54, which is the address of the Berkshire 54 apartment complex. Police say the incident occurred just after midnight early Friday morning and that the victim suffered life threatening injuries. The suspect has been identified […]
Equipment Failure Causes Delays to Carrboro's Household Trash Collection
Carrboro said the breakdown led to Wednesday's collection taking longer than normal. As a result, Thursday and Friday collection has moved.
What's Open or Closed on Labor Day? Holiday to Impact Local Government Services
Monday marks the observance of Labor Day, which is meant to celebrate the contribution of workers and employees across the United States. With that, the local governments in Orange County will be giving many of their employees the day off, which will affect certain local government services. Ahead of the holiday on Monday, Sep. 7, […]
Talking Culture: 'Looking Back' on Chapel Hill's Civil Rights Era, with Barbara Tyroler and Carter Minor
Aaron welcomes local photographer Barbara Tyroler, whose new exhibition at the Seymour Center explores Chapel Hill's civil rights memory.
29th Annual Carrboro Music Festival Set for Sunday, September 27
The Carrboro Music Festival is returning for its 29th year this September. The free event will feature dozens of performers at multiple locations in downtown Carrboro. The festival begins with several kickoff events Saturday, Sep. 26, including an Open Mic event at Carrboro Town Commons from 2 to 4 p.m. Festival merchandise, including pieces signed […]
Could An Orange County Railroad Become A Public Trail? Ongoing Study Seeks Answers, Community Feedback
The J Branch Rail Trail Feasibility Study is underway, as Orange County's local entities hear the community's vision for the rail corridor.
Local Governments Facing 'Years-Long' Recovery from Chantal's Floods, But Progress is Being Made
One year after Tropical Storm Chantal’s significant rainfall flooded several areas in the Triangle, the region’s local governments are still adjusting to its physical and financial impacts.
Celebration of Independence Day to Alter Local Government Services in Orange County
The celebration of Independence Day on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 will affect several local government services in and around Orange County. Here’s a look at what typical services will and won’t be happening during the weekend: Town of Chapel Hill All Chapel Hill administrative offices will be closed Friday, July 3, as […]
›