Drawing on indentures, manumission records, deeds, probate and other primary sources, this presentation explores the transition from slavery to freedom on Staten Island after the American Revolution. It examines the impact of New York’s gradual abolition laws and recovers the stories of African Americans lives, challenges, possibilities, and enduring legacy of emancipation.

Hosted by Underground Railroad Consortium of New York State.

Register here – https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/KqId9mAORtOgJRPj1Qkvug#/registration 

Debbie-Ann Paige is a public historian, genealogist, educator, and policy analyst whose work uses the power of history to recover overlooked narratives, strengthen communities, and connect the past to contemporary civic life. She is a cofounder and co-president of the Staten Island chapter of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society and Vice President of the Northeast Corridor Network to Freedom. A Senior Policy Analyst with CSG East and adjunct lecturer at the College of Staten Island, she has been recognized for her leadership in preservation and public history with the Harriet Tubman Leadership Award and as a 2026 New York State Senate Woman of Distinction.