Brenda M. Greene facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brenda M. Greene
Born	(1950-10-29) October 29, 1950 (age 75) Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, U.S.
Education	New York University (BS, PhD) Hunter College (MA)
Occupation	Scholar, educational leader, author, literary activist, and radio host
Title	Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Black Literature
Awards	Lynnette Velasco Community Impact Award (2015) Percy E. Sutton SEEK Women’s Empowerment Award (2016)

Brenda M. Greene (born in 1950) is an American scholar, author, and radio host. She is known for promoting literature and reading, especially by Black writers. Dr. Greene works at Medgar Evers College in New York City.

She is also the founder and leader of the Center for Black Literature. This center helps share and celebrate stories by Black authors. Dr. Greene also directs the National Black Writers Conference. Before working at the college, she was an educator in New York City schools. Since 2004, she has hosted a radio show on WNYE radio. On her show, she talks with many famous writers.

Brenda Greene's Early Life and Education

Brenda M. Greene was born on October 29, 1950, in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. She grew up and went to public schools in Queens and Brooklyn, New York. She graduated from Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn.

Dr. Greene studied English education at New York University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree. She later received a Master of Arts degree from Hunter College. She also earned her PhD in writing and communication from New York University.

Brenda Greene's Work in Education

Dr. Greene started working at Medgar Evers College in 1980. Before that, she directed a reading program at Malcolm King College. At Medgar Evers, she taught many courses, including writing, literature, and African American literature. She also held many important roles within the college.

Building Cultural Programs

Brenda Greene has spent her life creating and supporting cultural arts groups. These groups help improve Black life in Brooklyn and other places. She has worked with many people who support her mission. These include famous writers like Sonia Sanchez and Edwidge Danticat. She has also partnered with important places like the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. These partnerships have led to many great programs over the years.

Dr. Greene has also been an active member of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). She has led writing workshops and judged for different literary groups.

Sharing Stories on the Radio

Dr. Greene hosts a weekly radio show called "Writers on Writing." On this show, she talks with writers from the African diaspora. They discuss their novels, poems, plays, and their lives. The show airs on WNYE, 91.5 FM.

Since 2004, she has interviewed many Black writers. Her guests have included new authors and best-selling writers. Some famous guests have been Walter Mosley, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and Cornel West.

Books Written by Brenda Greene

Brenda Greene has written several books, including:

• The African Presence and Influence on the Cultures of the Americas. (2010)
• Resistance and Transformation: Conversations with Black Writers. (2010)
• Meditations and Ascensions: Black Writers on Writing. (2008).
• Defining Ourselves: Black Writers in the 90s. (1999).
• Rethinking American Literature. (1997).

Brenda Greene's Family

Brenda Greene is a mother to two sons. Her son Talib Kweli Greene is a well-known hip hop artist. Her other son, Jamal Greene, is a law professor at Columbia Law School. She also has five grandchildren.

Awards and Honors

Brenda Greene has received many awards for her work. Some of these include:

• Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award, 2019.
• Lifetime Achievement Award, Brooklyn Oldtimers Foundation, 2017.
• Medgar Evers College Percy E. Sutton SEEK Women's Empowerment Award, 2016.
• Lynnette Velasco Community Impact award from the Harlem Arts Festival, 2015.
• Harriet Jacobs Award for Excellence in Literature, 2013.
• Spirit of Africa Award for Achievements in the Creative Arts, 2010.
• Gwendolyn Brooks Conference International Literary Hall of Fame Inductee, 2010.
• Betty Smith Arts Award, Brooklyn Borough President's Office, 2010.