STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — First Central Baptist Church hosted its 21st annual Staten Island Black History Town Hall Breakfast and Health Fair on Saturday, marking a milestone event celebrating the rich history, legacy and contributions of Staten Island’s Black community.
Themed “Thriving Together Through It All: Mind, Body and Spirit,” the annual gathering highlighted the importance of holistic well-being and health equity within families and communities.
The day began at 9 a.m. with a community breakfast at 59 Wright St. in Stapleton, where attendees broke bread together while organizers recognized valued community partners, faith leaders and honorees for their service and impact across Staten Island. The breakfast also featured health screenings, reinforcing the event’s focus on overall wellness.
Kim Hinkson, Pamela Washington and Pastor Avis Clark gather during a scene from First Central Baptist Church’s 21st Annual Staten Island Black History Town Hall Breakfast and Health Fair on Feb. 21, 2026, in Staten Island, N.Y.
(Advance/SiLive.com | Dr. Gracelyn Santos)
At noon, the 21st annual Staten Island Black History Town Hall convened in a hybrid format — both in person and virtually — at the church’s 117 Wright St. location.
Presented by First Central Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Demetrius S. Carolina Sr., the public forum brought together community members, faith leaders and organizations to celebrate Black history while fostering dialogue, unity and collective wellness.
Each year, First Central Baptist Church collaborates with other churches and community organizations to present the forum during Black History Month, offering what organizers describe as vital information to congregations and the broader community.
Honorees this year included Jack Cheng, Brianna Mendez, Seni Johnson Paighton, Stewart Lorna Wilson, Daniel Williams, Heather Williams and Omayra Sepulveda.
Organizations recognized for their contributions included the Shaolin Ryders Motorcycle Club, Silver Lake Lodge 59, Silver Queens Chapter 43, El Centro del Inmigrante, La Colmena and Kimberly and David Healthy Keepers.
Dorian Lake performed to the delight of attendees at First Central Baptist Church’s 21st Annual Staten Island Black History Town Hall Breakfast and Health Fair on Feb. 21, 2026, in Staten Island, N.Y.(Advance/SiLive.com | Dr. Gracelyn Santos)
Music has long played a role in the event. Roger Wesby, who has brought the Wagner College Choir to the breakfast for 15 years, said this year’s schedule prevented the choir from performing.
“My good friend Dorian Lake, who’s a soloist with my choir, agreed to bring a quartet to perform in my stead,” Wesby said. “Black history, Black musical culture is at this point the cornerstone of almost all the music in the world.”
He added, “I used to teach the history of blues and jazz, and it was like studying American history through the lens of music — in particular, racial history and race relations. A lot of the breakthroughs were made in music when white and Black performers started performing together. It’s really an interesting lens through which to view all of American history.”
Edwina Martin, public administrator of Richmond County, said the event has become a personal highlight of Black History Month.
“It is a real community gathering,” Martin said. “It’s an opportunity to hear from so many community-based organizations in one place at the same time, to hear from important leaders from around the city and around the country — we’ve had world leaders come and speak at this event.
“But we’re also welcomed to engage and to share, and to see beautiful entertainment and just beautiful space. It’s the Black History Month event that I look forward to, and I build my calendar around so that I’m sure not to miss it.”
Members of Senior Tae Kwon Do, based at 59 Wright St., participate in a scene from First Central Baptist Church’s 21st Annual Staten Island Black History Town Hall Breakfast and Health Fair on Feb. 21, 2026, in Staten Island, N.Y.(Advance/SiLive.com | Dr. Gracelyn Santos)
The event was supported by a broad coalition of sponsors and community partners, including United Way of New York City, OnProfi Staten Island, Community Health Center of Richmond, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Richmond University Medical Center, Stradford Home for Funerals & Cremations, Levmar Cleaning Solutions, Central Family Life Center, Empowerment Zone, National Black Leadership Commission on Health and DC LLC.
Over the past 20 years, the town hall has welcomed prominent speakers, including former New York City First Lady Chirlane McCray; former U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel; former Mayor Michael Bloomberg; former City Comptroller William Thompson; community leader Jennifer Jones-Austin; Mayor Eric Adams; Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado; former Schools Chancellor David Banks; former Mayor Bill de Blasio; Attorney General Letitia James; and Judge Michelle Sweeting, among other community and national leaders.
Former Wagner College Professor Roger Wesby attended the First Central Baptist Church’s 21st Annual Staten Island Black History Town Hall Breakfast and Health Fair on Feb. 21, 2026, in Staten Island, N.Y.(Advance/SiLive.com | Dr. Gracelyn Santos)
During the breakfast program, Rossville AME Zion Church was also honored for its longstanding contributions to the borough’s spiritual and civic life.
The health fair continued throughout the afternoon at 59 Wright St., where organizations shared resources and information with attendees. Sponsors were recognized as partners in the annual community gathering, with logos featured on promotional materials.
Now in its 21st year, the Staten Island Black History Town Hall Breakfast and Health Fair remains a cornerstone of local Black History Month observances, uniting faith leaders, elected officials, health professionals and residents.
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams speaks at First Central Baptist Church’s 21st Annual Staten Island Black History Town Hall Breakfast and Health Fair on Feb. 21, 2026, in Staten Island, N.Y. (Advance/SILive.com | Dr. Gracelyn Santos)(Advance/SiLive.com | Dr. Gracelyn Santos)
Rev. Dr. Demetrius Carolina, Sr. addresses the crowd at the First Central Baptist Church’s 21st Annual Staten Island Black History Town Hall Breakfast and Health Fair on Feb. 21, 2026, in Staten Island, N.Y. (Advance/SILive.com | Dr. Gracelyn Santos)(Advance/SiLive.com | Dr. Gracelyn Santos)
First Central Baptist Church hosted its 21st Annual Staten Island Black History Town Hall Breakfast and Health Fair on Feb. 21, marking a milestone event celebrating the rich history, legacy and contributions of Staten Island’s Black community. (Advance/SiLive.com | Dr. Gracelyn Santos)(Advance/SiLive.com | Dr. Gracelyn Santos)
First Central Baptist Church hosted its 21st Annual Staten Island Black History Town Hall Breakfast and Health Fair on Feb. 21, marking a milestone event celebrating the rich history, legacy and contributions of Staten Island’s Black community. (Advance/SiLive.com | Dr. Gracelyn Santos)(Advance/SiLive.com | Dr. Gracelyn Santos)
First Central Baptist Church hosted its 21st Annual Staten Island Black History Town Hall Breakfast and Health Fair on Feb. 21, marking a milestone event celebrating the rich history, legacy and contributions of Staten Island’s Black community. (Advance/SiLive.com | Dr. Gracelyn Santos)(Advance/SiLive.com | Dr. Gracelyn Santos)
First Central Baptist Church hosted its 21st Annual Staten Island Black History Town Hall Breakfast and Health Fair on Feb. 21, marking a milestone event celebrating the rich history, legacy and contributions of Staten Island’s Black community. (Advance/SiLive.com | Dr. Gracelyn Santos)(Advance/SiLive.com | Dr. Gracelyn Santos)
First Central Baptist Church hosted its 21st Annual Staten Island Black History Town Hall Breakfast and Health Fair on Feb. 21, marking a milestone event celebrating the rich history, legacy and contributions of Staten Island’s Black community. (Advance/SiLive.com | Dr. Gracelyn Santos)(Advance/SiLive.com | Dr. Gracelyn Santos)
First Central Baptist Church hosted its 21st Annual Staten Island Black History Town Hall Breakfast and Health Fair on Feb. 21, marking a milestone event celebrating the rich history, legacy and contributions of Staten Island’s Black community. (Advance/SiLive.com | Dr. Gracelyn Santos)(Advance/SiLive.com | Dr. Gracelyn Santos)
First Central Baptist Church hosted its 21st Annual Staten Island Black History Town Hall Breakfast and Health Fair on Feb. 21, marking a milestone event celebrating the rich history, legacy and contributions of Staten Island’s Black community. (Advance/SiLive.com | Dr. Gracelyn Santos)(Advance/SiLive.com | Dr. Gracelyn Santos)
