Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association King Elexis I—Alan Wilson Green
By Caroline Edmondson Photos Stevye Photography, StevyePhotography.com
Hair Jason Chambers & Felisha Allen, Headdress Salon, 251.689.7427.
Makeup Courtney Matthews Makeup Artistry, Cocokat1978@gmail.com & Jessica Price, Primp Lash & Beauty, 251.285.3000.
You would never guess that this Royal legacy originally hails from Detroit, MI., as his roots and love for Mobile’s Mardi Gras runs deep. Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association (MAMGA), King Elexi I, Alan Wilson Green, comes from a long line of Mobile natives. In fact, four generations worth, many of who served in varying Royal capacities throughout the years.
Being selected as MAMGA King means Alan will be continuing a tradition set forth by his late grandmother in 1946. Alan’s Royal lineage includes three MAMGA Queens: his mother, Winifred Irene Little (Green) who reigned in 1982, his sister, Cecile Frances Green (Brown), 2014 MAMGA Legacy Queen, and his cousin, Rosemary Elaine Dunning, who served as Queen in 2020. Additionally, his family had two Teenage/Junior MAMGA Kings: Reuben J. Wilson in 1962, and Joseph K.C. Little in 2017. Both of Alan’s late grandparents (Mary W. Butler and Wiley N. Butler, Jr.) were MAMGA participants as First Lady in Waiting and Knight in the 1940s, followed by a long line of over 30 family members who are proud MAMGA participants.
Alan himself served as Second Knight in 2017 to King Olabode O. Anise II and Queen Katherine A. Smith. Now, as King, Alan is making MAMGA history as the first Royal to have a mother as a former Queen and a sister to serve as the first and only Legacy Queen. “I feel blessed and honored to be in this royal role. I truly thank God and my family and the members of MAMGA and their supporters for making this dream for me possible,” Alan proudly shares.
Growing up, Alan fondly remembers the years spent traveling down to Mobile to share in the festivities of the Carnival season with his family and friends. “Although I wasn’t born in Mobile, I consider it home just like I do metro Detroit,” Alan shares. “, I have been coming to Mobile for Mardi Gras all of my life. Our family tradition has been a Mardi Gras tailgate on Big Monday at Martin Luther King Avenue (MLK) and Plum Street. We plan this event with all the food and drinks. I have not missed many of these family tailgates on MLK!” Alan and his family are thrilled to be experiencing the Mardi Gras season again as a Royal family. “This is not only history, it is sort of déjà vu, but with new familiarity –a ‘jamais vu’ if you will. I am looking forward to enjoying this season. I anticipate Alan’s reign as King Elexis I will become one of my fondest memories, and I feel his reign will go down in the annals of Mobile Mardi Gras history as one of the best,” adds Alan’s mother, Winifred Green, Ed.D.
Preparations for King Alan’s Royal reign and wardrobe began months ago with a vision—and the help of experienced designer, “Ms. Pat” of Patricia Ann’s Regal Regalia. “We knew the focus would be ancestry, heritage, and King Alan’s royal legacy,” Winifred recalls. “We also knew the color would be green to honor his paternal last name as well.” And upon first glance at his Royal Robe, King Alan’s heritage is evident. “The six crowns pop out immediately as I am the 6th MAMGA Monarch in our family,” says Alan.
The theme of Alan’s train is: “le patrimonie,” a celebration of ancestry, heritage, and royal legacy. The theme honors Alan’s French roots and gives thanks to his ancestors and family members. “My Royal Robe is a direct reflection of my family’s 77 years of involvement with MAMGA. Past Royals are honored with their crowns, initials, and years of reign on my train,” Alan tells us. “It also honors over 30 family participants who have been involved since my late Grandmother Mary W. Butler was first lady in waiting in 1946. I am especially proud that she was the first in the family to participate in what at that time was called the Colored Carnival Association. A beautiful gold heart is at the top of my train to honor the early MAMGA participants who served as beloved Royal MAMGA pioneers.” To make his train stand out even more, Alan and his mother decided on adding 50 full-length raccoon pelts and 25 raccoon tails to his 18 ft. train’s border. Alan will be carrying the scepter his cousin, Joseph K.C. Little, carried as MAMGA Junior King in 2017.
Naturally, Alan’s schedule as King is jam-packed with festivities, parties, and gatherings—many of which have taken months of thoughtful planning and coordination to make them a reality. “I have enjoyed all the planning that has taken place between the King’s Party, regalia, wardrobe, and even down to gathering Mardi Gras throws. I feel very blessed that I have had the opportunity to experience this three times,” his mother shares. “I have tried to stay on top of all the planning and details. I have said several times, this is my last hurrah and I plan to enjoy it as much as possible!” Both Alan and his mother are most looking forward to the coronation, where Alan will crown his beautiful Queen, Richlyn. They are also looking forward to what is called the “Big Monday” and of course, the Le Fête du Roi, Alan’s King’s party. “MAMGA encourages us to put our personal touches on the Le Fête du Roi. I have selected the venue due to personal ties, and we plan to bring the city out for a party where a good time will be had by all,” Alan says.
Outside of his Royal role, Alan works as a Manager for Enterprise Holdings in Arlington, Texas. He graduated from Central State University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-Management. He plans to begin working towards earning his master’s degree in Sports Administration/Marketing at Delaware State University. He, along with his best friend Brandon Williams, developed a lifestyle brand called “DIFFERENT Avenues” to promote individuality with the mission to help others express themselves. “We believe life is a marathon, not a sprint and that sometimes you have to take different avenues to get to where you want to go in life. In addition to apparel, Different Avenues aims to support the community in various ways from interactive fundraising events and advocacy for wellness,” shares Alan.
On the successes of her son, Winifred says, “I am most proud of King Alan’s belief in persistence and perseverance. He has inherited a strong work ethic from his father, which he keeps in the forefront of his mind and in everything that he does. I am confident that his hard work, focus, and perseverance will surely pay off with him accomplishing his goals and dreams!”
It is safe to say, Alan and his family are ready for the good times to roll!
