On The Drum, we honor our ancestors and those who currently demonstrate the unique excellence that only Black people can give to the world. Alvis James Moore is Rio Grande University alumnus with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications Comprehensive and Secondary Education, and he is a retired Columbus City Schools educator who enjoyed 33 years of teaching, mentoring, and motivating young p
eople. As an educator, Moore taught 9-12 grade English, Filmmaking, Reading, Journalism, Theater Production and Performance, directed all plays and musicals, assisted with student extra-curricular activities, assisted students in the credit recovery programs, assisted with student preparation for testing, provided lesson plan content and training for substitute teachers, was the union representative for the Whetstone High School teachers at the Columbus Education Association, the Ohio Education Association and National Education Association, facilitated professional development seminars and activities for staff, and other educators, provided an acclaimed Multicultural Education seminar twice a year, for eight years for the graduating teachers at Wilmington College. Combined with that is a career in broadcasting that began in 1981 on 92X FM and AM 1580 WVKO. Beginning as a co-host on Bob Cunningham’s Gospel Caravan, Alvis was given the opportunity to host a Saturday gospel music show and soon became the host of Praise and Worship Sunday from 1996 until 2002. Despite the ups and downs in the locally owned radio station landscape, Alvis is always a sought out, in demand gospel music programmer, on-air-talent and community liaison. In 2014, in addition to being nominated for Radio Announcer of the Year, he was honored by Central South Music Distributions at the Stellar Awards in Nashville, Tennessee for being a trailblazer in gospel music radio. In 2015, he was recognized at the Stellar Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada for his 32 years in gospel music radio and service. In April of that same year, Alvis was invited to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to stand in honor of the5 Royales, a legendary 1950s and 1960’s R&B group who was being honored with a Legendary Musical Influence Award. Moore’s father, James Moore was a founding member of the group whose hits include, Baby, Don’t Do It, This Is Dedicated to the One I Love, Tell the Truth, Catch That Teardrop, Think, Please, Please, Please, Tears of Joy, and I Know It’s Hard, But It’s Fair. Followed by that amazing experience was something that Alvis always wanted to do. In October of 2015, he was honored to be a presenter at the 2015 Kingdom Image Awards. As a local playwright and performing artist, he was recruited by the Commission for Minority Health, in the early parts of 2000, to write informational skits about diabetes and its impact on the Black community. Having no ability to keep still, after retirement, Alvis worked as a facilitator and case manager in re-entry programs. After that, he became an instructor, Education Director, Career Services and Placement Director, and the Academic and Student Services Director at the Ohio Media School for six years. Currently, he is a part of the AmeriCorps Mentors for Success Program as a mentor, Justice Talk facilitator and community connections. Moore loves cooking big meals for his family, reading, composing, directing musical groups and spoiling his two sons, four grandchildren and wife.
