Moses T. Alexander Greene has become the new director of the African American Cultural Center and is in the process of planning for the upcoming year.
Previously the chief communications officer and assistant professor of media and communications at St. Augustine’s University, as well as public information officer in the executive office of the mayor of the District of Columbia (among other duties), Greene has extensive experience in the arts, academia and the public sector. A Syracuse University alum, Greene obtained a M.S. in New Media Management and a dual B.A. in African American Studies and Writing for Television-Radio-Film, all from Syracuse University*. Since joining the AACC Staff on May 15, Greene has been through constant meetings and introductions, and is hopeful and passionate about his role as the center’s new director.
Since the center opened its doors in 1991, the AACC has been an integral part of student life and campus culture at NC State, and Greene expects to continue and expand upon its legacy.
To learn more about his life and vision for the AACC, Technician met with Greene in his office in Witherspoon Hall.
What event has been the most impactful in your formation into the person you are today?
When I was 11 years old, seeing a movie called “A Soldier’s Story.” In it is Denzel Washington, Larry Riley, Robert Townsend and Adolph Caesar. It is the first movie that I go to where I see nothing but reflections of myself. From that moment until now, I have been committed to my degrees — been committed to making sure that there is representation that looks like me on stage, screen, television and in life. That is the seminal moment of my life.
What activities and programs do you enjoy participating in outside of your formal job?
I’m a** city of Raleigh arts commissioner; I sit on the Museum of Natural Sciences board for culture, the Culture Presenters Board; I’m an actor. I’ve been in “Ragtime,” “The Color Purple,” “Zuccotti Park,” “The Black Nativity” and “Memphis” — all of those in the Raleigh Little Theatre and Justice Theatre. I love jazz, so you’ll hear a lot of jazz in the center.
Coming into your role as director, how do you see and envision the African American Cultural Center?
This center is a classroom to NC State, Raleigh, North Carolina and the country. I have been told that it has never become what it was meant to become: imagine if the center itself is producing scholarship and research and that we are publishing from the center. Imagine if world-class scholars and professors come here to study, if artists come here to discuss what their works contribute creatively and academically. That is what that larger classroom means to me.
What challenges do you believe that the center currently faces?
I think that we live in a post-racial world. I think that with President Obama’s election, Americans believed that we are a post-racial society, without realizing that we are not post-racist. It’s easy to forget that not everyone is as accepting of marginalized communities, and I think that the challenge of our time will be realizing that a center like this is necessary. As is my experience in academia having come from an HBCU, African American culture is still having to explain why we exist, much less being treated as fully human, as fully American.
How do you see the African American Cultural Center interacting with the Raleigh community?
We have an opportunity to be a better neighbor to the surrounding community. Thirty percent of the population of Raleigh is made up of people of the African Diaspora. Why can’t we bring books to one of the libraries and have reading time there? Reading is big for me. Why can’t I partner with Wake County middle schools and volunteer there?
If you could project one image of your purpose as director to university faculty, staff and students, what would it be?
I want NC State University to know that my entire purpose is to continue the vision and the legacy of the elders. This building is named in honor of a man who gave his life to make sure that African Americans had a sense of being. My purpose is to continue that legacy and that struggle and to make sure that their sacrifices are never forgotten — to make sure that NC State is aware of the contributions of African Americans and those of the African Diaspora.
Greene encourages students to enjoy the many collaborative events that the center has planned for the coming year, including Ujamaa Fridays and a Friday music series premiering in September. To get involved in or view upcoming AACC activities, visit the AACC page.
* This article originally excluded degrees obtained by Moses.
** This article originally misstated that Moses was the lone Raleigh arts commissioner.
