Black History Today, created by Marcus Harden in honor of Black History Month, pays tribute to the living legacy of Black history in our community and beyond, and recognizes the people actively shaping the future.

“You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off of you.”

- Dr. Maya Angelou

By Marcus Harden

The notion of servant leadership is one that is spoken about in parables and in modern leadership principles, yet true role models of what it means to be both servant and leader are few and far between.

Randy Green is both impeccable leader and incredible servant. A product of Renton, Wash., he is a son to two proud parents who shared athletic backgrounds, including his mother who would regularly beat her young son at basketball.

Great fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree, and the lessons of overcoming adversity within the sphere of love is a lesson that continues to embody Randy.

A proud Rainier Beach Viking, Randy attended Washington State University, and in both places served as the blue-collar glue that bonded many of those basketball teams. Randy’s humble leadership showed up in his work ethic, his treatment of others and his tireless dedication to bettering himself and loving those around him.

Randy exemplified the phrase “more than just an athlete” long before it became media fodder. To know Randy is to truly understand the definition of selflessness. You can find him at his day “job” as a supervisor for King County Juvenile Division, where his heart, compassion and commitment to dignity-building for our young people is evident in his leadership. Whether it be implementing a garden or a basketball league, he is helping young people cultivate and keep the greatest gift you can give: hope.

You can also find Randy volunteering and coaching in the neighborhood, edu-taining on his Upscale Ignorance podcast, or enjoying perhaps his favorite pastime: being a semi-professional traveler and foodie (and still somehow remaining lean, proving good things do happen to good people!)

Yet the most impressive thing about Randy is truly his heart for others. As a Black man, he is a son who honors his parents in deeds and words, who expresses his affinity for his friends and family with an authenticity and vulnerability that many speak of but rarely display — all whilst somehow hiding his 6-foot-3-inch frame in the shadows.

Randy is truly an alchemist. His mere presence transforms any situation or place. Randy Green is a servant leader, but h is an unsung hero no more, because today we honor Randy Green as part of Black History, today!