Professor Richard Green speaks with Roslyn Rey at Medgar Eves College скачать в хорошем качестве

Professor Richard Green speaks with Roslyn Rey at Medgar Eves College

In this powerful episode of Unlimited with Roslyn Rey, host Roslyn Rey sits down with Professor Richard Green—community activist, mediator, historian, and the widely respected “unofficial mayor” of Crown Heights—to explore a lifetime of service rooted in compassion, honesty, and accountability. Professor Green reflects on recently receiving the African Spirit Award on his birthday, a deeply meaningful honor that symbolizes recognition from the very community he has spent decades uplifting. From there, the conversation delves into his more than 30 years of mediation work, particularly his efforts to bridge the divide between young people and law enforcement. Through trusted relationships with local precincts, district attorneys, and judges, Professor Green has helped countless youth avoid arrest, seek alternatives to incarceration, and find pathways toward growth and stability—all through unwavering integrity and direct communication. The interview also highlights the youth programs Professor Green has built and sustained across Crown Heights, including school-based initiatives, recreational and educational spaces like the Intellect and Fitness Center, and his headquarters on Rogers Avenue, which focuses on job development and intensive support for system-involved youth. Beyond prevention, Professor Green speaks movingly about his ongoing support for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals, emphasizing the importance of continued human connection through letters, care packages, and advocacy—especially for those society often forgets. A significant portion of the conversation reflects on his role in crisis mediation during the Crown Heights unrest, where he successfully helped bring together Black community members, Jewish leaders, and law enforcement to de-escalate tensions and foster long-term understanding. He notes how far these relationships have come since then. Grounded in personal experience, Professor Green shares his philosophy of service—shaped by growing up in the same neighborhood he now serves—and likens his work to a “middle relief pitcher”, stepping in to stabilize situations when they matter most. His dedication is deeply personal, extending even to attending funerals of young people he’s mentored and supporting their families long after. The episode also touches on his creative and academic pursuits, including his book Tags, which channels graffiti art into constructive expression, and his role as an educator at Medgar Evers College. This episode is a compelling testament to what sustained community engagement, trust-building, and genuine care can achieve—and a must-watch for anyone interested in social justice, mediation, and grassroots leadership. To hear more from Prof. Green, we urge you to listen to the Crown Heights Oral History Project: https://oralhistory.brooklynhistory.o... #UnlimitedWithRoslynRey #RoslynRey #ProfessorRichardGreen #CrownHeights #CommunityLeadership #CommunityActivism #YouthEmpowerment #Mediation #RestorativeJustice #PoliceCommunityRelations #AfricanSpiritAward #SocialJustice #BrooklynVoices #GrassrootsLeadership #MedgarEversCollege #BlackExcellence