Dr. Burnice Green, Sr.
Head Pastor/Bishop
“Dr. Burnice B. Green, Sr. was born in Rochester, New York, to the late Burnice Green and Annie Ruth Green. He is the second youngest of fifteen children. He is the founder and pastor of God’s Vision Ministries on the northeast side of Rochester, New York. Dr. Green has worked in the field of education for more than thirty‑two years. As a pastor serving an urban community, he continues to lead efforts that support parents and community stakeholders in improving the lives of children. His leadership has helped expand services and develop new program initiatives within urban schools across Upstate New York. He has also worked extensively with young men of color for more than twenty years, helping them stay on track academically and supporting their journey toward high school graduation.
In 2004, Dr. Green was selected by the Democrat and Chronicle as one of the Top Ten Emerging African American Leaders in Western New York. He later received the Distinguished Rochester Education Foundation Award for his impact on the community. In 2013, he was honored as the New York State Administrator of the Year and was chosen to represent the state at the National Board of Educational Administrators in Washington, D.C. In 2016, he received a special Mayoral Recognition Award for outstanding volunteer service in community outreach. In 2017, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by President Barack Obama for his lifelong commitment to strengthening communities through volunteer work.
Dr. Green currently serves as the Assistant Principal at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School No. 9, where he oversees a prestigious Boys Academy. He once attended this same school district as a child and proudly graduated from it. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from SUNY Brockport in 1992 and later completed a Master of Science degree from the same institution in 1995.
In 2010, Dr. Green founded a distinguished male academy at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School No. 9. His work earned him the City of Rochester Black Heritage Pioneer for Education Award. The academy focuses on self‑sufficiency, positive decision‑making, empowerment, and creating opportunities for young men to be heard and understood. Through this work, Dr. Green continues to highlight the importance of high school graduation for males of color and brings attention to the challenges they face nationwide.
Dr. Green began doctoral studies in the Executive Leadership EdD Program at St. John Fisher College in the summer of 2021. His research focused on effective programs and supports that help boys of color graduate from high school. He earned his EdD degree in 2023.
Dr. Green hopes to leave a legacy that encourages his family to remain united, to see the best in one another, and to offer support in times of need. For his community, he hopes to inspire a spirit of service and a commitment to leaving things better than they were found. For the young men in his Boys Academy, he emphasizes the importance of education and personal responsibility. As he often reminds them, “You may have a reason, but it will not be an excuse.”
In 2004, Dr. Green was selected by the Democrat and Chronicle as one of the Top Ten Emerging African American Leaders in Western New York. He later received the Distinguished Rochester Education Foundation Award for his impact on the community. In 2013, he was honored as the New York State Administrator of the Year and was chosen to represent the state at the National Board of Educational Administrators in Washington, D.C. In 2016, he received a special Mayoral Recognition Award for outstanding volunteer service in community outreach. In 2017, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by President Barack Obama for his lifelong commitment to strengthening communities through volunteer work.
Dr. Green currently serves as the Assistant Principal at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School No. 9, where he oversees a prestigious Boys Academy. He once attended this same school district as a child and proudly graduated from it. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from SUNY Brockport in 1992 and later completed a Master of Science degree from the same institution in 1995.
In 2010, Dr. Green founded a distinguished male academy at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School No. 9. His work earned him the City of Rochester Black Heritage Pioneer for Education Award. The academy focuses on self‑sufficiency, positive decision‑making, empowerment, and creating opportunities for young men to be heard and understood. Through this work, Dr. Green continues to highlight the importance of high school graduation for males of color and brings attention to the challenges they face nationwide.
Dr. Green began doctoral studies in the Executive Leadership EdD Program at St. John Fisher College in the summer of 2021. His research focused on effective programs and supports that help boys of color graduate from high school. He earned his EdD degree in 2023.
Dr. Green hopes to leave a legacy that encourages his family to remain united, to see the best in one another, and to offer support in times of need. For his community, he hopes to inspire a spirit of service and a commitment to leaving things better than they were found. For the young men in his Boys Academy, he emphasizes the importance of education and personal responsibility. As he often reminds them, “You may have a reason, but it will not be an excuse.”