Brianna DiGiovanni

Brianna DiGiovanni is a fourth-year student at Gallaudet University, where she is pursuing a degree in History. She is a student research assistant at the Drs. John S. and Betty J. Schuchman Deaf Documentary Center. She is currently working on the Deaf NYC: Signs of Change project that explores deaf life in New York City during the late 19th and 20th centuries.

Ms. DiGiovanni has also been involved with different exhibits at the Gallaudet University Archives and Deaf Collections. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, she intends to apply to graduate school to further her knowledge of history and teaching, and progress toward a career as a history teacher.

Brianna looks at Joseph Pucciarelli while his daughter, Alexandria Pucciarelli-Miller looks on. There was a laptop on the table to help them remember stories.

History major Brianna DiGiovanni is researching the lives of Deaf New Yorkers at the Drs. John S. & Betty J. Schuchman Deaf Documentary Center.  In addition to creating a timeline and mapping Deaf spaces, Brianna interviewed two leaders at the Staten Island Club of the Deaf (SICD). 

Here, she chats with interviewees Joseph Pucciarelli and his daughter Alexandria Pucciarelli-Miller following the filmed interviews.  Both father and daughter have served the SICD as President, a position Alexandria currently holds, and they have in-depth knowledge of NYC Deaf history.   

We thank them for their time and willingness to share perspectives on the impact of Deaf clubs in NYC.