Staten Island, one of New York City’s five boroughs, has a rich history that includes free and freedom seeker African Americans. In her research, Ms. Paige has uncovered significant documentation that has brought this history to light. Weaving historical information with stories collected from first person accounts told by people who came to Staten Island from other places, we will learn about what they were willing to do to stay, how they accomplished their desires, and how this information is related with us today.

Debbie-Ann Paige, MA, Adjunct Lecturer, City University of NY College of Staten Island, and Genealogist and founder of PAIGE ONE ASSIST, is a public historian specializing in local African American history, a co-president of the newly chartered Richard B. Dickenson Staten Island Chapter of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS) and professional genealogist. She has worked on numerous local history projects including: In Pursuit of Freedom with the Brooklyn Historical Society; From Farm to City with the Staten Island Museum; the designation of the Louis Napoleon House as a site to freedom with the National Park Service Underground Railroad Network on behalf of the Sandy Ground Historical Society, and the recent City Council street renaming of the corner of Fairview Avenue and Knox Place as “Samuel A. Browne Way” in the Castleton Hill section of Staten Island. Debbie-Ann has appeared as a historical interpreter on the Emmy winning show “Secrets of New York,” and is working closely with Frederick Douglass Memorial Park to transcribe their historical records. She facilitates public history forums throughout Staten Island focused on the historical perspectives of race relations and lectures as an adjunct at the College of Staten Island.