features
WEDNESDAY, SEPTMEBER 6, 2017 | 5
Blackademics: Moses T. Alexander Greene Nicole teague Correspondent being viewed as an “administrative office that operates from eight to five”; it will be a center, a place that gives students a “sense of home.” “We need to be a center where you can come at 9:30 at night and see a movie,” Greene said. By making the AACC more accessible, Greene believes that it won’t force people to fit time during their work day to stop by. Greene also has a mission is to “build the infrastructure towards five areas: increasing visibility of the gallery and the library, community outreach, enhancing the visual and performing arts, student development and leadership Kai Anthony/Staff Photographer opportunities, and interdisciplinary research and faculty Moses T. Alexander Greene poses in front of the African American Cultural Center. Greene is the new Director of the African American Cultural Center, following the Interim engagement.” Greene plans to increase Director, Dr. Frances Graham. visibility of the gallery and Moses T. Alexander Greene is the newest director of library by hosting more events such as a fall exhibit by the African American Cultural Center. Greene earned his Brandon Odum, an artist featured on Ava DuVernay’s bachelor’s degree in African American studies and writing television, radio and film and a master’s degree in new show Queen Sugar. In modifying community outreach, Greene hopes to media management from Syracuse University. give the center a “home” feel, providing students and Before accepting the position as director of the AACC, community members with a sense of belonging. He Greene was the chief communications officer and plans to make this space one that all groups can use. For assistant professor of media and communications at St. example, a Wake County school could meet in the AACC Augustine’s University. In addition, Greene was one of library for activities. twenty educators selected to be a fellow of the Academy The center would also be a place where tough discusof Arts and Television Sciences Foundation, also known sions can occur. Through programs such as town halls, as EMMY. This program honored Greene for his involvethe center could ultimately be a safe haven to talk about ment in arts and multimedia. After serving thirteen years in the classroom, Greene is looking forward to working in any topic. Enhancing the visual and performing arts is especially what he describes as a “bigger classroom.” The AACC was founded by Dr. Lawrence Clark and Dr. important to Greene, given his multimedia background. The arts are a crucial part of the community as a whole August Witherspoon, who intended the center to be the and provide a medium for students to express themselves. “hub” for the promotion, appreciation, and the awareness He mentioned that next semester the AACC will partner of Pan-African culture. with Dr. Daniel Monek, the director of the music departOne of Greene’s goals is to follow the footsteps of Clark ment, for a vocal technique group. and Witherspoon by ensuring that the AACC is not
Developing scholars and creating leadership opportunities is one of Greene’s intentions while being director of the AACC. “Scholars [are the best part of the job],” Greene said. One of the opportunities he hopes to create is study abroad opportunities. While at St. Augustine, Greene coordinated a trip with students to Paris. He has a few places that he is considering taking students, like Ghana or Kenya. Interdisciplinary research and faculty engagement is the fifth component of Greene’s vision. Greene says that the center wants “scholars, professors, and those who are interested in research to be using our [AACC’s] library.” He even set a goal for the library to publish books because “we have the scholars.” With every move that Greene makes, he ultimately wants to make his ancestors proud. As Greene works towards these goals, he follows the wise words of legendary Mama Thorpe: “Are you making the ancestors proud?” By reinforcing this mentality, Greene believes each person can become to best at whatever they aspire to be.
Greene’s goal is to: “... build the infrastructure towards five areas: increasing visibility of the gallery and the library, community outreach, enhancing the visual and performing arts, student development and leadership opportunities, and interdisciplinary research and faculty engagement.”
