Leadership.
Resilience.
Public Service.
A trailblazing American statesman — the first African American and first blind chief executive in New York's history — Governor David A. Paterson has spent four decades turning adversity into leadership.
Governor Paterson brings four decades of public leadership to today's most pressing conversations — on stages, on the airwaves, and in the boardroom.
- Keynote SpeakerLeadership, resilience, and public service.
- National CommentatorRadio and television across the country.
- AuthorBlack, Blind & In Charge — a memoir of leadership.
- AdvisorPublic policy, finance, and business leaders.
55th Governor of New York
When David Paterson was a child, his mother fought to enroll him in public school — at a time when blind students simply weren't admitted. Today, that school bears his name. That trajectory — from being told he didn't belong to reshaping the institutions that excluded him — defines Governor Paterson's life and leadership.
As New York's 55th Governor, Paterson warned of the 2008 financial crisis months before it made national headlines. While others dismissed his forecast, he convened the legislature, cut $2 billion immediately, and ultimately reduced New York's deficit by nearly $40 billion — all while preserving the state's credit rating.
From op-eds to national television appearances — Governor Paterson's most recent contributions to the public conversation.
“Dan Smith Will Teach You Guitar” — The NYC Guitar Teacher Who Taught the Governor Lands a Times Square Billboard
Governor Paterson's guitar teacher, NYC flyer legend Dan Smith, earns a Times Square billboard after 30 years — and inspired the band Blind Dog Dave and the Pirate Throng.
Americans Have Elected Only 3 Black Governors. This Year, 8 Are Major-Party Nominees.
Governor Paterson joins Wes Moore, Stacey Abrams, Deval Patrick and others reflecting on a historic slate of Black gubernatorial nominees across both parties.
Google Named Presenting Partner For Style Across The Aisle At Met Opera
Style Across the Aisle returns September 9, 2026 at the Metropolitan Opera House with Google as presenting partner — a bipartisan runway show whose past models include Governor David A. Paterson.
Ex-NY Gov. Paterson pushes fed probe into whether Mamdani's anti-Israel crusade is inciting violence
Former Gov. David Paterson compared Mayor Zohran Mamdani to segregationist George Wallace as he pushed for a federal investigation into whether the mayor is inciting anti-Jewish violence.
David Paterson, Warning of Socialists Hijacking His Party, Emerges as the Democrat Republicans Can Respect
The former governor is a rare voice of reason in a party that has veered sharply left. BOB CAPANO Original placement here It was a memorable day in 2008 when Governor Eliot Spitzer resigned in disgrace amid scandal, leading David Paterson to become New York’s first African-American governor. As the Brooklyn director for Congressman Vito Fossella at the time , … Read More
Former Democrat NY governor decries socialist policies in his own party
Former New York Governor David Paterson analyzes the impact of socialism in the U.S. and the Democratic Party on ‘The Story.’ Former New York Democratic Governor David Paterson expresses concern about the rise of socialist policies following recent primary victories. Paterson warns that unchecked socialist methods risk “ruining this country” despite some valid underlying issues. He criticizes what he perceives … Read More
Bring Governor Paterson to your next event.
Keynotes and moderated conversations on leadership, resilience, public service, and the future of American politics.