Staten Island, N.Y. — The DEI Committee of the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com, along with senior leadership and newsroom staff, will host a panel discussion, “Conversation with Community Giants – Youth Empowerment Through Education and Civic Leadership,“ on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, from 2–3 p.m.
The event will be held in person in the Richard E. Diamond Conference Room at the Staten Island Advance headquarters, and will be broadcast live on the Advance/SILive.com Facebook platform.
The event will gather voices that shape how young people experience equity, belonging, and opportunity in the classroom and beyond, underscoring the role of local media in community-driven solutions for youth who have historically been underserved.
The discussion will also highlight how cultural enrichment, civic engagement, and social learning are essential tools for amplifying youth voices. At the center of the talk will be a discussion about how community-based initiatives lift students’ voices and foster confidence and a sense of belonging.
The conversation also celebrates how mission-driven partnerships can bridge gaps and strengthen Staten Island’s collective commitment to inclusion.
* * * To tune in on Tuesday, Feb. 24, click here at 2 p.m.
The panelists include:
Bobby Digi Olisa, Founder and Executive Director of the Canvas Institute of Arts, Culture & Civic EngagementAndrew Greenfield, Principal of Port Richmond High SchoolJessica Jackson, Principal of The Police Officer Rocco Laurie Intermediate School – I.S. 72
L-r: Past panelists for “Conversation with Community Giants” are pictured with Bobby Digi, second from right, in this June 2025 photo at the St. George Theatre: Lori Weintrob, Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo, Virginia Allen, Bobby Digi and Jessica Phillips. (Courtesy Rosie Larstanna/Say “Cheese” Photography)(Courtesy Rosie Larstanna/Say “Cheese” Photography)
Scheduled attendees include Caroline Harrison, CEO of Advance Local and publisher of the Staten Island Advance; Brian Laline, executive editor; and Gail Lubin, senior content director.
The DEI Committee hopes the discussion will offer an opportunity to better represent the communities the Advance serves, foster inclusive relationships, and exchange ideas about challenges faced by underrepresented groups and opportunities for growth.
The hour-long event is a call to action for inclusive storytelling, equitable resource allocation, and transformative change and is co-moderated by Advance/SILive.com social media reporter Shane DiMaio and Advance/SILive.com columnist Dr. Gracelyn Santos.
“Conversations with Community Giants” is sponsored by Staten Island Social Care Network: Connecting Medicaid members to FREE social care services like food, housing, transportation and more.
Contact them to see if you are eligible at statenislandpps.org
School coordinator of student activities at I.S. 72, Morgan Iburg had an outpouring of support from parents to be recognized for Women’s History Month. Here surrounded by the schools assistant principals and principal. Assistant principals from the left, Dennis Whitford, KellyAnn DeSantis, Lissa Ambrosino, Morgan Iburg, Principal Jessica Jackson, Danielle Movsesian and Sean Benitez. March 17, 2025. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)(Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)About the panelists
Bobby Digi Olisa
Bobby Digi Olisa is a nationally and internationally recognized social entrepreneur and educator dedicated to civic engagement, youth empowerment and cultural connection. Born in New York City to Nigerian parents, he brings a global perspective to initiatives that unite communities through shared purpose.
He is the founder and executive director of the Canvas Institute of Arts, Culture & Civic Engagement, one of Staten Island’s leading community hubs where art, learning and public dialogue intersect. For more than two decades, through Canvas and his earlier nonprofit Island Voice, Olisa has developed programs that strengthen families, empower young people and foster collaboration across diverse communities.
Olisa founded the Youth Empowerment Summit, now in its 20th year, which has reached more than 60,000 youth and community members through leadership development, mentorship and civic programming. A master practitioner of the Compassionate Systems Framework certified by MIT J-WEL’s Center for Systems Awareness, he works with schools across New York City to promote resilience, empathy and systems awareness. He is also a certified teen mental health first aid instructor.
Internationally, he leads a partnership with Nigeria’s National Council for Arts and Culture to establish Canvas Institute centers in Abuja and Lagos, serving up to 1,000 youth annually.
His honors include a United Nations Award for Community Advancement, the 1010 WINS Community Leadership Award and citations from the New York State Senate and New York City Council. He holds a quadruple major from the College of Staten Island and serves as president of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization New York State chapter.
Port Richmond High School Principal Andrew Greenfield hands a diploma to Valedictorian Emily Fanizza at the 2025 Commencement Ceremony at the St. George Theatre on Monday, June 23, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jason Paderon)(Advance/SILive.com | Jason Paderon)
Andrew Greenfield
Andrew Greenfield has dedicated more than 30 years to serving the young people of Staten Island. A graduate of The College of Staten Island, he began his career as a social studies teacher and dean of students before earning two master’s degrees with honors in secondary education and administration and supervision.
In 2001, Greenfield returned to his alma mater, Port Richmond High School, serving for 17 years as assistant principal of administration, where he oversaw budget, personnel, facilities, safety and security. In 2019, he was permanently appointed principal. Under his leadership, the school achieved its highest graduation rates in 20 years and launched Staten Island’s first Grades 9–14 P-Tech Program, a six-year pathway preparing students for college and careers in STEM fields.
Throughout his career, Greenfield has focused on expanding opportunities for at-risk teens and supporting families across the North Shore. His commitment has earned him the Ellis Brown Community Builder of the Year Award, recognition as a “King of Staten Island,” multiple NYPD community service citations and the New York State Senate Commendation Award.
Beyond education, Greenfield remains active in the community, supporting local charities and small businesses alongside his wife, Kim Beckett. He continues to live on Staten Island’s North Shore and remains committed to empowering the next generation.
March 2024: Hundreds of young leaders from all five boroughs gathered at Wagner College in Grymes Hill on Saturday, March 2 to encourage positive change in their communities and collaborate on the topics of career readiness, mental health, entrepreneurship and more. The event, which was hosted by Canvas Institute and Island Voice, was organized by Staten Island entrepreneur Bobby Digi.Advance/SILive.com | Jessica Jones-Gorman
Jessica Jackson
Jessica Jackson is an accomplished educational leader with 25 years of service to Staten Island students and families. She currently serves as principal of The Police Officer Rocco Laurie Intermediate School (I.S. 72), where she has led for the past eight years with a focus on instructional excellence, inclusive culture and student-centered learning.
Under her leadership, I.S. 72 has strengthened classroom practice through collaboration, formative assessment and data-informed decision-making. Jackson works closely with educators to build instructional capacity and ensure that every student feels seen, supported and challenged to succeed.
Prior to becoming principal, she served in the District 31 Office of the Superintendent as a teacher development evaluation coach, partnering with school leaders to strengthen evaluation systems and translate data into improved teaching and learning. She previously held roles as assistant principal, instructional coordinator and English teacher at Paulo Intermediate School 75, where she supervised Special Education, led literacy initiatives and supported specialized programs including ASD Nest. In 2014, she received the Distinguished Assistant Principal Award from the Middle School Principals Association.
Jackson holds degrees from the College of Staten Island, Touro College and The College of Saint Rose. She believes strong schools are built on relationships, empathy and high expectations for all learners, and she views education as a partnership with families. She often says her greatest accomplishment is being a mother — a role that shapes the care and commitment she brings to her school community each day.
The 2026 DEI Committee of SILive/Staten Island Advance is comprised of Kelli DeSantis, left, Jason Paderon, Dr. Gracelyn Santos (chair), Felicia Torres, and Shane DiMaio (Advance/SILive.com)(Advance/SILive.com)Check out past ‘Community Giants’
The event follows on the success of the DEI committee’s past discussions:“Conversation with Community Giants: Celebrating Black History”(March 2024);“Women’s Heart Health,”(May 2024);“Celebrating Pride”(July 2024);“Celebrating Women in Leadership”(Sept. 2024);“Building Strong Foundations and Inclusive Boards,”(Oct. 2024).
Also: “Women, Work and Wealth” (Jan. 2025); “Celebrating Diverse Abilities” (March 26); “Breaking the Silence of Staten Island Food Insecurity” (June 2025); “Bridging Critical Stroke Care Disparities” (Aug. 2025); ‘Women Leaders Driving Equity and Impact’ (Sept. 25, 2025); “History, Humanity & Hope: A Holocaust Survivor’s Story” (Dec 2025).