Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Calvin Green.
Hi Dr. Green, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
As a young man from Dallas, Texas (shoutout to Oak Cliff, that’s my hood) who grew up in a single parent home where my mom struggled with drug addiction for years and overcame it; this has been my motivation to pursue everything that I set my mind to.
My mom did all that she could to ensure that I was well-rounded and spiritually grounded. She may not have gone to church, but she kept me in church. I was the kid that looked like Steve Urkel. I had Sally Jessy Raphael glasses and braces so I definitely had my share of body image issues growing up, and I oftentimes felt even worse because my dad was not as active in my life as I desired him to be. However, his absence fueled something within me to always push hard, work hard, and succeed in all that I set out to do. This was how I vowed to make and create a better life for both myself and my mother.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Listen in the words of the late great poet Langston Hughes, Life Ain’t Been No Crystal Stair! Along this road called life I’ve definitely dealt with depression, anxiety, and not feeling good enough just to name a few things. Many times, I’ve even been misunderstood just for simply wanting more out of life and actually setting my mind to accomplish just that. Some days and nights have definitely been lonely but I am thankful for these times. These struggles helped build me, mold me, and made my faith stronger to sustain the curve balls that life has thrown at me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I think what sets me apart from others is that I pride myself upon being a candle. My light isn’t like any other person’s light, and when placed side by side with another candle one thing that truly stands out is that candles don’t compete against each other. Their lights complement one another. To that end, everyone’s light is needed.
I landed in education. I was a business major in college and had a friend at the time who talked me into applying to become a business teacher in 2005. At the time I was working a dead-end job after just moving to Baltimore from my hometown of Dallas. Reluctantly I applied and received a phone call within 3 days. What’s crazy is that I was a business major in college so I got to teach what I was already in debt for LOL.
Since then, I’ve worked in both K12 and higher education. Serving in the capacities as teacher, career development specialist, dean of students, interim Vice President of student affairs, director of college readiness, director of education, and now student support services coordinator all these years has truly been a blessing.
Serving in these positions has enhanced my tenacity, resilience, humility, grit, and self-determination! Some of these higher-level positions I was fortunate enough to serve in before I was thirty years old so there truly was a great deal to learn. The experiences and lessons taught have developed me all the more as a professional and entrepreneur and for that, I am truly grateful.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Over the years I have definitely has mentors, supporters, cheerleaders. I call them lifeline restorers because when I felt like I was at my wits end, they poured back into me and revived me.
Some of these people are my mom Barbara G. Hughes, I love you. To my mentor/fraternity brother Mr. Arthur Gregg who took me on a college tour my senior year in high school to the University of Houston, for exposing me to what my life could be like I am forever grateful. Dr. Cynthia Marshall-Biggins thank you for taking a chance on me as a work-study student turned employee and a host of other friends, family members, fraternity brothers, and spiritual leaders who have poured into me over the years.
Contact Info:
- Email: drcalvin.green@gmail.com
- Website: www.iamdocverde.com
- Instagram: @iamdocverde @dialogueswithdoc
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClKoCJRAeAVEmU2FlCqEsgQ
Image Credits
Jeremiah Drumond
Peculiar Images
B&P Studio
