Vivian Nixon is an advocate, Director of The College & Community Fellowship (CCF) and an ordained minister, who launched a movement to educate ministers and lay leaders of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in some of the northeastern states.

The awareness is to bring the spot light on the disproportionate number of people of color in the prison system and the need for community support and policy change. One of the projects is called Re-Enter Grace. This project is to reach out to various groups and to develop tools to educate these groups on people who have served time in prison going back to their communities. Re-Enter Grace, would also be used to empower faith-based communities on the needs of people returning from prison into the communities and advocate for change. “We need more then just having a minister go into prison and do a sermon,” said Nixon. The project was put into place to help people to have a successful re entry into society.

 Another problem area Vivian Nixon realized was that when people in prison were trying to further their education most were released before they could finish their studies. The need to encourage continuation of education was an area much needed. Building global awareness is what Vivian Nixon is about.

The after prison Initiative programs focus on Drug Policy Reform, Gideon Project, Judicial Independence Programs, Soros Justice Fellowships, Prison Expansion & Sentencing Reform and Katrina Media Fellowship. Nixon, feels the importance of issues surrounding the failure of the war on drugs and alternatives for low-level drug offenders who are incarcerated. Soros Justice Advocacy Fellowship is another important element in reform. This fellowship program assist in funding outstanding individuals such as lawyers, advocates, grassroots organizers, and activist. These people are geared to making measurable impacts on some areas of the U.S. Justice Fund’s criminal justice priorities. The fellowships are normally about 18 months in duration. The program can also be implemented in conjunction with not-for-profit organizations.

I guess you are wondering why such a passion, what made Vivian Nixon become so entrenched. Well, Vivian found her self once in trouble with the law. She was in a place of shame and disappointment. Nixon was raised in a Christian home a great up bringing never in trouble. She found herself in the very place she now fights for change. She realized the need to push for change. Also, to rid people of shame and get them incorporated back into society. Nixon also felt it was imperative that those people integrated back into their communities get a chance at leadership roles. In order to do this we needed to educated and promote the understanding it takes to make this become reality. Public funding of effective transition programs is another key element. Partnerships between correctional agencies and nonprofit providers can make programs propel into action.

Vivian Nixon is one of the strongest advocates I’ve ever written about. As I interviewed Nixon you could hear the drive and commitment in the tone of her voice. Most of the advocate programs have a common denominator and this is to challenge unreasonable civil and legal barriers to the reintegration of people returning from prison. The programs were also created to encourage systemic reforms and to create incentives for community-based solutions over parole and probation revocation. Combating racial profiling is another accomplishment these projects are seeking. This seems to be a problem that covers one side of the US map to the other. Nixon feels we have a responsibility for public safety and justice. Securing equal justice and empowering those individuals who have been systematically deprived of leadership in their communities and prominent roles in policy changes. Vivian Nixon takes her own life experiences and makes positive strides to educate communities.

Nixon: Walking away with leadership skills is crucial for individuals integrating into society.

Center Stage: How do you feel the communities could help reintegrate individuals returning from prison?

Nixon: Community leaders need to embrace, give support and mentor these individuals so that they can once again become productive people in our society.

I really think programs like Bedford Hills Corrections Facility is a prime example of being pro active. They took their own money and assisted women in rebuilding their lives.

Center Stage: Tell me about the fellowship programs. What’s the main purpose?

Nixon: The main purpose to the Fellowship programs is to address the needs of people returning to communities from prison life. We have to change the way things are being done. We can achieve this by changing hearts, minds and by voting. Making decisions that will support successful re-entry into communities for those in need is also important. We need to stop the mass incarceration of people.

Center Stage: Tell us about the CCF.

Nixon: Yes, I’m the Director. The school is for men and women coming from transitional service providers, institutions in the criminal justice system in New York State. This program gives people a chance to earn a higher education.

Center Stage: How do you feel about drug reform laws?

Nixon: We still need to work on getting the laws changed we still have the Rockefeller Drug laws that are hindering us still. “This story is bigger than me”

This story effects us all as a society is what Vivian Nixon is trying to tell us. We must all be responsible for giving people a chance that may have stumbled along the way. You may want to ask yourself wouldn’t you want a chance to reclaim your life? Vivian Nixon has