ABSTRACT
The individual operates in a network that provides economic, religious, and political functions. African mutual aid societies. The communalism of Africans created civilities of respect, trust, and mutual interest and support. African Americans in the slave community viewed themselves as a familial group with a common life-style and interests. Many slave narratives and interviews with former slaves exemplify this communal attitude. A cooperative slave community allowed African Americans to survive the harsh conditions of slavery. The university has repositioned itself to partner with these communities to improve their quality of life and create means of capacity building. An assets and needs survey was then conducted by the Institute for the Study of Minority Issues at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). One elementary school in the community is receiving support from NCCU’s School of Education to improve the curriculum and training techniques of teachers.
