Plainfield Civil Rights Icon Hosts Book Discussion

Willa Cofield leads talk at local bookstore on her activism and preserving Black history

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Willa Cofield, a prominent civil rights activist from Plainfield, New Jersey, hosted a 75-minute discussion at Cindelle's Bookstore in the city. The event centered on Cofield's life, her activism in the 1960s, her book "The Nine O'Clock Whistle", and the importance of preserving Black history and sustaining activism across generations.

Why it matters

Cofield's activism and advocacy in the 1960s civil rights movement made her a prominent figure in Plainfield's history. This event provided an opportunity for the community to learn from her experiences and discuss the ongoing work of preserving and sharing Black history and sustaining social justice efforts.

The details

The discussion was hosted at Cindelle's Bookstore in Plainfield and featured Cofield in conversation with Cindelle Harris-Blackmon. They discussed Cofield's life, her book "The Nine O'Clock Whistle", and the importance of passing the torch of activism to new generations.

  • The event took place on Friday evening.

The players

Willa Cofield

A prominent civil rights activist from Plainfield, New Jersey who was involved in the 1960s civil rights movement.

Cindelle Harris-Blackmon

The owner of Cindelle's Bookstore in Plainfield, where the discussion event was held.

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The takeaway

This event highlighted the importance of preserving the stories and experiences of civil rights pioneers like Willa Cofield, and passing that knowledge on to new generations to sustain the ongoing fight for racial justice and equity.