Raleigh's John P. "Top" Greene Community Center is undergoing a transformation. Now known as the John P. "Top" Greene African American Cultural Park, a renaming reception is slated for June 22 where the community will be able to immerse itself in the celebration of African American culture through local art and music. According to the City of Raleigh's website, the event is also set to preview an array of programs scheduled for the summer which encompasses art classes, creative writing workshops, and genealogy classes.
The Raleigh City Council stamped their approval on the name change on April 15, 2025, following a strong push by the South Park-East Raleigh Neighborhood Association (SPERNA) and the Community Advisory Group (CAG). A Parks Bond Referendum in 2022, which was highly supported by Raleigh voters, included funds to help reimagine the Top Greene property as an essential African American cultural resource. The center, now a 1.32-acre park, is positioned within the historic confines of southeast Raleigh's South Park neighborhood and endeavors to churn out a diverse lineup of cultural offerings such as exhibitions, performances, and film screenings.
The center, christened after John P. "Top" Greene, a prominent community figure, boasts a strategic location at 401 Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard. The Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board reviewed and approved this petition during their board meeting on November 21, 2024, in line with the processes outlined by Resolution No. (2021) – 278 for park renaming. According to the City of Raleigh's announcement, the John P. "Top" Greene African American Cultural Park is aiming to be a cornerstone for enhancing African American cultural programming and preserving historical assets in Southeast Raleigh.
Further, the park is envisioned to act as a springboard for broader city initiatives aimed at preserving and promoting Southeast Raleigh's African American heritage and historic sites. The cultural park aims to bolster the downtown Raleigh revitalization, create an engaging space for both residents and visitors, and cultivate an appreciation for the area's rich, although often underrepresented, history and its continuing significance in Raleigh's fabric and identity.
For those interested in attending the renaming reception, the details are as follows: It's taking place at the John P. "Top" Greene African American Cultural Center, situated at 401 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27601. The date to mark on your calendar is June 22, and the event runs from 3 to 5 p.m.
