Smithville Community Coalition

Preserving History. Building the Future.

Smithville Community Coalition is a Black-led, community-centered nonprofit working to preserve, protect, and revitalize Historic Smithville, one of the oldest African American communities in Mecklenburg County and the largest intact African American community in North Mecklenburg County.

Founded in 1968 by longtime Smithville community leaders, the Coalition was created before Smithville was annexed into the Town of Cornelius. For generations, Smithville families have built homes, raised children, supported churches, cared for their neighbors, and created a strong community rooted in faith, family, resilience, and Black history.

Today, that legacy is at risk.

Rising property values, increased development, limited affordable housing, aging homes, and the growing cost of living have placed tremendous pressure on longtime residents and their families. Without intentional action, Smithville could lose not only its historic homes and land, but also the people, relationships, and traditions that make this community so special.

Smithville Community Coalition is working to make sure that does not happen.

Our mission is to create and execute a neighborhood-led, comprehensive Historic Smithville revitalization plan that serves residents’ needs, restores the community’s vibrance, supports an abundant and equitable life for all, and expands affordable and workforce housing in the Town of Cornelius.

Our work is guided by the voices and needs of Smithville residents. We are committed to revitalization without displacement. This means helping seniors remain safely in their homes, supporting longtime residents and heirs, preserving family land, improving housing conditions, expanding pathways to homeownership, and creating affordable and workforce housing for current and future generations.

Through our programs and partnerships, SCC works to provide:

• Affordable and workforce housing opportunities
• Critical home repairs and aging-in-place support
• Emergency housing stability assistance
• Financial empowerment and homeownership education
• Support for longtime residents, families, and heirs
• Preservation of Smithville’s history, land, and community legacy
• Resident engagement in decisions that affect the community
• Opportunities for families who were displaced to return home

Our vision is not simply to build houses. We are working to protect a historic African American community while creating a future where Smithville residents can live safely, build wealth, remain connected to their roots, and pass something meaningful on to the next generation.

Your Give 8/28 contribution will help SCC continue this important work. Donations will support community-led housing and revitalization efforts, housing stability, critical repairs, resident programs, historic preservation, and the resources needed to advance the Smithville Revitalization Plan.

Every gift matters. When you give to Smithville Community Coalition, you are investing in more than an organization. You are investing in Black history, housing equity, community ownership, generational wealth, and the right of longtime residents to remain in the community they helped build.

Help us preserve Smithville’s history while building a stronger and more equitable future.

Give today. Stand with Smithville. Help us ensure there is no displacement, that seniors can age safely in place, and that future generations can call Smithville home.