The Fire Next Time: The Revolution of the Social Justice Movement
Overview
Part of the Humanities New York Reading & Discussion Program
James Baldwin's The Fire Next Time is an American classic that highlights the challenges and struggles of America during the Civil Rights era. A national bestseller in 1963, this literary work galvanized the nation and gave a passionate voice to the civil rights movement. Activist, educator, NYU Silver alum and Adjunct Lecturer Terrence Coffie, BS ’16/MSW ’17, was awarded a Humanities New York Reading & Discussion grant to lead a six-part Reading & Discussion series on Baldwin’s timeless work and its prophetic impact on the social justice movement today. NYU Silver is proud to have hosted the first event in this series.
While Professor Coffie and selected guests read portions of this text aloud during each of the Reading & Discussion events, participants were asked to read the book on their own in advance in order to create an atmosphere of thoughtful insight, reflection, engagement, and action. You may access the public domain version of The Fire Next Time online.
Events in the Series
March 18, 2022 | 5:30-7:00 pm | Hosted by NYU Silver School of Social Work | Online
April 29, 2022 | 4:00-5:30 pm | Hosted by Midtown South Community Council | Online
May 20, 2022 | 4:30-6:00 pm | Hosted by Incarcerated Nation Network | Online
June 2, 2022 | 5:00-7:30 pm | Hosted by Exodus Transitional Community & Central Synagogue | 2268 Third Avenue, 2nd Floor, Wilderness Room, New York, NY
June 3, 2022 | 6:00-8:00 pm | Hosted by S.T.R.O.N.G. Youth, Inc. | 599 Jerusalem Ave, Uniondale, NY
June 14, 2022 | 3:00-5:00 pm | Hosted by Center for Community Alternatives | East Village Playhouse, 340 East 6th Street, New York, NY
Facilitator
Terrence Coffie MSW
Terrence Coffie is a 2017 graduate of NYU Silver, where he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in social work with a focus on criminal justice reform. As an advocate, activist and educator, Terrence has committed himself to creating social and political change within the criminal justice system. Terrence is an Adjunct Professor at NYU Silver, where he teaches Forensic Justice in Problem Solving Courts and Diversity, Racism, Oppression, and Privilege. He is also the founder of Educate Don’t Incarcerate, a grassroots organization that raises awareness surrounding criminal and juvenile justice reform. Furthermore, he is the president and founder of The Social Justice Network, an internet broadcast network that highlights the voices, lives and experiences of those with justice involvement. Through the network, he hosts his weekly talk show It’s Coffie Time, which airs on Spotify. During his tenure at NYU, Mr. Coffie interned at the prestigious McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research. In 2016, he received both NYU’s President’s Service Award and NYU Silver’s Excellence in Leadership Award for his development of the College Pathways Program, which assists young men of color in obtaining educational opportunities. In 2017, he was named the NASW-NYC Alex Rosen Student of The Year, and once again received NYU Silver’s Excellence in Leadership Award. Also in 2017, Terrence made his debut as a contributing author to Race, Education and Reintegrating Formerly Incarcerated Citizens (Lexington Books).
Terrence has appeared in numerous media outlets, including Yahoo News with Katie Couric and NY1 News - In Focus with Cheryl Wills, discussing topics related to criminal justice reform in America. He has been published in USA Today regarding Reentry and Voting Rights for the formerly incarcerated. Through his efforts he also gained the support of famed activist Michelle Alexander, author of the New York Times bestselling book The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, and he is currently in the process of producing the documentary Caged Roses, that focuses on the juvenile justice system in America.
Terrence has gained national recognition for his commitment to criminal justice reform. After spending over 19 years of his life going through the revolving door of incarceration and recidivism, in 2009 he entered a transitional reentry program that assists the formerly incarcerated with changing their lives. It was there that he not only broke the cycle of incarceration, but as he shares “found his purpose!” As a formerly incarcerated person, Terrence brings a very insightful, distinctive and unique perspective surrounding these issues, specifically in the area of reentry. Terrence believes that “those who are closer to the problem, are also those who are closest to the solution” in creating a more fair and equitable system of justice.
Co-Sponsors
Contact Us
NYU Silver School of Social Work
Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
1 Washington Square North
New York, NY 10003
Email: silver.dei@nyu.edu
Phone: 212.992.9217