Capital New York

This Spring I spent many days among the Liberian immigrants who have settled in the Park Hill area of Staten Island. These photos document some of the life of the community: A visit from a Nobel Prize winner, a party at a community center, a backyard barbecue, a wedding and more.

Here, Jennifer Gray-Brumskine and other members of the LIberian traditional choir enterthe First Central Baptist Church on 117 Wright Street, Staten Island. A Town Hall meeting took place there in February, in celebration of Black History Month.

>> Back to article

One of the dozens housing projects that dominate the area of Park Hill in Clifton, Staten Island. This is the neighborhood to which many Liberians have emigrated in New York City.

>> Back to article

A typical Sunday afternoon Liberian barbecue in a courtyard on Targee Street, Staten Island.

>> Back to article

Will Pratt (center), a Sierra Leonean who lives in Park Hill, entertains Jonathan Kamara (in the background) and other Liberians living in the area at a barbecue on Targee Street. Taken April 15, 2012.

>> Back to article

Boxes of plantain fufu sold in most African grocery shops around the area of Park Hill. Fufu is a staple food of West Africa, made by boiling a variety of vegetables like cassava or plantains, and often eaten with a soup.

>> Back to article

March 29, 2012: A view of the Verrazano-Narrows bridge from the roof of one of the housing projects on Park Hill Avenue.

>> Back to article

The April 15 barbecue takes over an improvised shed at the far end of a Park Hill backyard.

>> Back to article

Moses Peters Jr., who lives in Park Hill, at the barbecue; he first moved to New York from Liberia with his family in 1969.

>> Back to article

Park Hill Avenue, viewed from Sobel Court on March 29, 2012.

>> Back to article

A Liberian traditional choir entering the First Central Baptist Church on 117 Wright Street, on Staten Island. They performed there in February to mark Black History Month.

>> Back to article

The choir, performing.

>> Back to article

Another shot of the performers at the Black History Month event.

>> Back to article

James Corneh moved to Park Hill from Liberia in 2009, after winning the Green Card lottery.

>> Back to article

At his home on Park Hill Avenue, Corneh looks through photos of his family back in Liberia.

>> Back to article

A crowd of Liberians gathered at the Christ Assembly Lutheran Church on 27 Hudson Street on March 11, 2012. They were visited by 2011 Nobel Peace Prize winner, and fellow Liberian, Leymah Gbowee. His topics were peace and reconciliation, at home and in the diaspora.

>> Back to article

Locals organized a music performance for Gbowee's visit.

>> Back to article

Gbowee, center, sat next to Deacon Telee Brown, the President of the Staten Island Liberian Community Association.

>> Back to article

A woman attending the Gbowee lecture.

>> Back to article

The audience during Gbowee's speech.

>> Back to article

Liberian residents of Park Hill gathered at 141 Park Hill Avenue for the launch of the African Immigrants After School Program, on Feb. 4, 2012. The event was organized by "Beyond Sports Charities," in a partnership with the United States Sierra Leonean Association.

>> Back to article

At the launch of the after-school program, traditional Liberian dishes were served.

>> Back to article

Children perform a traditional dance at the after-school launch.

>> Back to article

On April 21, I was allowed to take photographs at local wedding.

>> Back to article

Bridesmaids of all ages were climbing out of a big white limousine parked in front of the church.

>> Back to article

A few wedding guests hanging out on the sidewalk next to the church.

>> Back to article

Wedding guests walking towards the church.

>> Back to article

Moses Peters Jr., right, and a wedding guest in traditional Liberian clothes.

>> Back to article

A bridesmaid during the ceremony.

>> Back to article

 Guests observing the ceremony.

>> Back to article

More guests.

>> Back to article

Young guests at the ceremony.

>> Back to article

A bridesmaid inspects her bouquet.

>> Back to article

The bridesmaids cheering the first kiss between the newlyweds.

>> Back to article

The wedding ceremony continued.

>> Back to article

The end of the wedding.

>> Back to article

Bride and groom.

>> Back to article

Guests hanging out on the street next to the church, waiting to enter the dance hall for the reception.

>> Back to article

Outside the reception, a young girl gets an assist.

>> Back to article