Virgie Greene: Tuscaloosa’s Inspiring Role Model for Black Women

Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa, 92.9 WTUG, Praise 93.3, 105.1 The Block, and the Tuscaloosa Thread, along with 1-800-411PAIN, are proud to present the 2025 Black History Makers of Alabama.

Black History Maker of Alabama – Virgie Greene

Mrs. Virgie Greene, the proprietress of the Creative Child Development Learning Center of 50years plus was born in Aberdeen, Mississippi to Mr. & Mrs. Wright-Cunningham. At the age of three, the family moved to Northport, Alabama.

Mrs. Greene is a member of Bethel Baptist Church, where she previously served as a youth director, over saw scholarships, mentoring, and education for many years. She is also involved in many civic and charitable organizations; including former supporter of Adopt-A-School, she is one of the adopters for Tuscaloosa Alternative Center, a supporter for the Bethel Community Outreach Education Center, and she participates in the Child Care On-The-Job training program with the Tuscaloosa Center for Technology.

Just to name a few honors; in 1992, Mrs. Greene received the key to the City presented by Mayor Alvin DuPont. In 2017, she was voted Grand Marshal for the City of Tuscaloosa and received a proclamation for such and Mrs. Greene was acknowledge by the Beulah Baptist Church as a Trail Blazer in Early Childhood Education. In 2019, the Tuscaloosa Inter- Denominational Alliance recognized Mrs. Greene, as being one of the longest Early Childhood Development Entrepreneur’s.

Black History Means power. Black history is a time to celebrate the contributions, our struggles, and the resilience of Black people. It’s a time to celebrate black culture and teach the history & educate others. Black history is a time to advocate for social justice. - Virgie Greene

Mrs. Greene’s business desires come from the recollection of her first-grade teacher, the late Mrs. Willie Shirley Suttles, telling her she would become a “self-made businesswoman”. Insight to this memory Mrs. Greene realizes God has allowed her to accomplish her dreams. She has never allowed negativity to stop her from reaching her fullest potential.

Mrs. Greene attended the Tuscaloosa Public Schools and graduated from Druid High School, obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Alabama A&M University in Home Economics Education and Physical Science. In 1966, she married Jesse W. Greene and to this union were born Joycelyn, Jessica, and Arlisa.

From those three beautiful baby girls came five grandchildren; Kirin Greene, Aislynn Strong, Alayla Strong, Adyson Jenkins and Zemyra Jenkins.

Mrs. Greene’s driving forces are her unending love for God, children, and the community. She believes when helping others good will always follow her. Mrs. Greene says, "People, especially black women, do not realize they can succeed in whatever they set out to do as long as they educate themselves, believe in themselves, and trust in God."

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