CCDA History & Founder
Dr. Cullian W. Hill
CCDA Founder
Life and Legacy
Dr. Cullian Winthrop Hill was born September 25, 1938, in Proctorville, North Carolina to the late Selather Hill and Frazia Gerald Hill. His parents moved to Flint, Michigan in December 1953, where he graduated from Flint Central High School in June 1956. After graduation, Dr. Hill began working for General Motors Corporation in October 1956, where he worked for seventeen years.
Dr. Hill began his pastorate in 1974 in Bay City, MI and kept a steady focus on education for himself, his family, and his parishioners. No matter the arena, he wanted people to advance themselves educationally.
Education and Tutelage
Dr. Hill had an extensive education background himself since education was near and dear to his heart. His college career began when he matriculated into General Motors Institute majoring in Business Administration and Management. He completed his Bachelor of Religious Education (BRE) degree at Midwestern Baptist College in Pontiac, MI in 1974. He continued his academic career, taking courses to maintain his administrative certification until his retirement from the educational system.
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Dr. Hill had a razor sharp mind until the day of his death. If you wanted to know the ins-and-outs of business, he was your guy. When the Archdiocese of Detroit was selling multiple properties throughout the city, Dr. Hill helped several churches complete the financial documents to purchase their new church homes. He advised countless individuals on how to handle all types of business matters such as investments, savings, major purchases, etc.
Growing tired of the traditional school system challenges, Dr. Cullian W. Hill and his wife, Lucille Hill, founded Commonwealth Community Development Academy under a charter contract with Eastern Michigan University in June 1996. His expectations of quality, his leadership, hard work and perseverance, along with his love for people set a culture of high performance over the years and still speaks to the current philosophy of the school. He believed all children can succeed, thus, expecting quality instruction from his staff. One of his favorite expressions was, “My school may be in the ghetto, but the ghetto is not in my school!” He wanted to reach the children who otherwise would not have an opportunity. The image Dr. Hill presented to the children was professional and of class each day. He always wore a suit, shirt and tie with dress shoes and a belt. Nothing less was expected of nor accepted from the students.
Under his leadership, Commonwealth earned national recognition with the Success for All foundation for quality instruction and making record progress with students. The school has also been honored by prestigious organizations such as the Skillman Foundation and the authorizer, Eastern Michigan University. Additionally, valuable community partnerships have been developed to foster the efforts of quality education while servicing the whole child and his/her needs.
Dr. Hill remained in the position of Executive Administrator until April 2016. He wanted to give his full attention to Greater Concord Missionary Baptist Church and the business of saving souls and developing the community. After retirement, he remained in close contact with the school, often volunteering to serve in whatever capacity needed and supported the school financially, including providing scholarships to students who furthered their education post K-12. Dr. Hill and Greater Concord Missionary Baptist Church contributed over $100,000 annually to support the efforts and mission of Commonwealth.
Dr. Hill remained in the position of Executive Administrator until April 2016. He wanted to give his full attention to Greater Concord Missionary Baptist Church and the business of saving souls and developing the community. After retirement, he remained in close contact with the school, often volunteering to serve in whatever capacity needed and supported the school financially, including providing scholarships to students who furthered their education post K-12. Dr. Hill and Greater Concord Missionary Baptist Church contributed over $100,000 annually to support the efforts and mission of Commonwealth. He was always present and interactive on Founder’s Day, his birthday, September 25th, as Commonwealth Academy showed appreciation for Dr. Hill bringing his vision into reality, providing a nurturing place of quality for learning. The last Founder’s Day celebration attended by Dr. Cullian W. Hill was September 25, 2023. He was elated and expressed sheer joy for the progress of the academic endeavors. Over the years, Founder’s Day celebrations would include student performances and activities, cupcakes and ice cream, photo shoots, and guest speakers.
Dr. Cullian W. Hill unexpectedly passed away December 11, 2023. He has left a legacy that shall be continued. His labor of love and commitment to education remains as a blueprint for others to follow while continuing Dr. Hill’s legacy.
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