Valeriana Dema

Valeriana is a certified teacher and has worked in international development. She is from Annadale and covers education inequities and local activism.

Justy

Justy, a jazz-hop artist from Staten Island, performed a set from her debut album accompanied by guitarist, Hyo-won Nakashio, as a part of Plea for the Fifth’s Online Concert Series. Each act in the series was selected and interviewed by a different Plea for the Fifth member with the

Queen Blizzy

Rapper Queen Blizzy performed a four-song set as a part of Plea for the Fifth’s Online Concert Series. Each act was selected and interviewed by a different Plea for the Fifth member with the goal of showcasing a diverse range of artists. Plea for the Fifth reporter, Danny O.

Education

Utilizing a Strength-based Approach to Teaching Students with Disabilities in Staten Island Schools

A Staten Island special education teacher describes how she utilizes a strength-based approach to teach students with disabilities.

Muslim Americans

A Coalition of Muslim Staten Islanders Meet with Eric Adams and Other Mayoral Candidates

NYC Mayoral candidates have begun courting a growing demographic of reliably Democrat-leaning Staten Island voters: Muslims. Arabs, in particular, are one of Staten Island’s fastest growing ethnic groups. From 2000-2011, the population increased by 113 percent. The statistic mirrors upward Muslim immigration trends across the nation. US wars and

How a Staten Island HBCU Fair Is Giving the Borough’s Students More Options

A volunteer committee adapts Staten Island’s eleventh annual HBCU Experience to a virtual platform to serve students despite the pandemic.

New York City Budget

Recent City Budget Cuts Threaten Staten Island's Youngest Workers

Cuts to the Learning to Work and Summer Youth Employment Program could impact future job development for the next generation of students.

North Shore Communities Unite to Provide Holiday Cheer

Local organizations team up to better serve their communities through a series of toy drive giveaways.

'Privilege' and Representation at Staten Island High Schools

How an assistant principal’s dogwhistle post highlights systemic flaws in education