Vivian D. Nixon

Architect of Release

New York, NY

TOPICS
Education
Race
Mental Health
Democracy
Equity

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Reverend Vivian D. Nixon identifies herself as a joyfully Black woman whose release from correctional oversight gave rise to a search for true liberation and guided her academic and career choices.

As Writer in Residence of the Square One Project at Columbia University, Vivian contributes to the ongoing work of Square One and the Justice Lab, as well as provides leadership to the Racial Justice and Abolition Democracy (RJAD) Project, a joint initiative of Square One and the Institute for a Just Society. She is also the former Executive Director of College & Community Fellowship (CCF), an organization that supports women and families most harmed by mass criminalization. Her mission is to advance justice through economic and social equity, anti-racism, civic engagement, and artistic expression.

Instructed and ordained in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Reverend Nixon has an MFA from Columbia School of the Arts, and currently teaches at Bennington College’s Center for the Advancement of Public Action. Recognized with multiple honors, she is a recipient of the John Jay Medal for Justice and Fellowships at the Aspen Institute, Open Society Foundations, and Pen America. Reverend Nixon has published book chapters, essays, and poetry, recently co-editing a collection of essays by justice impacted advocates: What We Know: Solutions from Inside the Justice System.

SPEAKING TOPICS INCLUDE:

Racism is personal: Introspection is the first step to antiracism

Education as Freedom Struggle: A Strategy for Decarceration

Love in the Midst of Resistance

Spiritual Struggles, Political Consequences

Addressing systemic racism is an urgent matter. But amid giant-sized political challenges, let us not forget that racism causes personal pain.

- Rev. Vivian D. Nixon

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