Ahead of receiving the President’s Medal at the College of Staten Island’s annual Spring into Giving Benefit Dinner, legendary journalist Geraldo Rivera sat down with CSI-TV’s Nick Durst for a candid and deeply personal conversation. In this exclusive interview, Rivera reflects on the significance of the honor and what it means to be recognized by a community so closely tied to one of the most defining chapters of his career.

Rivera revisits his groundbreaking reporting on the conditions at Willowbrook State School, a moment in journalism that sparked national outrage, sweeping reforms, and a renewed commitment to protecting society’s most vulnerable. His work not only changed the trajectory of care for individuals with disabilities, but also left an indelible mark on Staten Island and the country at large.

In his sitdown with CSI-TV’s Nick Durst, Rivera opens up about the legacy of Willowbrook, the responsibility of journalists to pursue truth, and the enduring impact of stories that demand to be told.

See the full feature below: