COLUMBIA — Kenny Greene, a longtime pillar of the Columbia art scene who died in December, believed in enhancing his community and that Black history is bigger than one month — and a man who knew him for 30 years wants to carry his legacy forward.
Greene, who was the “unofficial mayor of the North Village Arts District,” died Dec. 28, 2025. He owned Monarch Jewelry on Orr Street and was known for supporting artists and fostering community connection in the North Village Arts District.
KOMU 8 News spoke to Greene at Monarch Jewelry in February 2024. In the conversation that happened both on and off camera, he talked about his beliefs around teaching Black history in schools, working to enhance the community you live in and his love for tai chi.
John Gage, a longtime friend to Greene and fellow lover of tai chi, met Greene 30 years ago in a Columbia leadership program and is part of the tai chi class Greene used to teach.
Kenny Greene teaches a tai chi class.
“I call him the mortar between the bricks, or the glue that keeps everything together,” Gage said. “Right now I feel I’m broken, but Kenny’s love, it’s what holds everything together.”
Greene started the CoMo Taiji Qigong nonprofit to try and reach more through the martial art.
That organization is how Gage sees he can carry forward Greene’s legacy.
“He started the CoMo Taiji nonprofit, and that is what I am able to see, do, touch, feel and enhance,” Gage said.
