On January 5, 2009, Dr. Sheadrick A. Tillman IV was appointed managing director of the Children's Defense Fund Haley Farm. The Children's Defense Fund is a non-profit child advocacy organization that has worked relentlessly for 35-years to ensure a level playing field for all children. The organization champions policies and programs that lift children out of poverty; protect them from abuse and neglect; and ensure their access to health care, quality education and a moral and spiritual foundation. Supported by foundation and corporate grants and individual donations, CDF advocates nationwide on behalf of children to ensure children are always a priority. For CDF, the Haley Farm is home for spiritual renewal, character and leadership development, intergenerational mentoring, and interracial and interfaith dialog about children's issues.

As managing director of the prestigious CDF Haley Farm, Dr. Tillman is responsible for leading a multi-disciplinary team that ensures the efficient and effective operations of Haley Farm. The Haley Farm is a beautiful 157-acre farm that once belonged to Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alex Haley. Nestled in the foothills of the Tennessee Mountains, the Haley Farm is one of the most serene and scenic sites in east Tennessee, located 30 miles outside Knoxville. Dr. Tillman is responsible for the overall direction of the Farm while maintaining relationships with regional community leaders interested in the vast resources offered by the Haley Farm, particularly for hosting special events. Through Children’s Defense Fund programs and events, Haley Farm also serves as a center for spiritual renewal and character and servant-leadership development for youths from Tennessee and around the country.

An experienced educator, Dr. Tillman has served in senior administrative roles at major universities and in the corporate sector. He comes to CDF with 30 years of experience in research administration, grant writing, operations management and strategic planning. Most recently, Dr. Tillman 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.

Further, Dr. Tillman is the former Sire Archon of Beta Theta Boulé Knoxville, Tennessee. He has been 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. Archon Tillman 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. Archon Tillman and Archousa, Rosalyn, have two grown daughters, Nichole and Danielle.