Bernard Green, The Lancaster

Bernard Green goes above and beyond his professional duties to make life better for residents of The Lancaster. Working the overnight shift as a member of the building’s door staff, he has helped fuel inspirations that have reverberated throughout the city.

“Knowing your clients and helping them get together is a skill that every good doorperson should have,” he said. “I love the people who live here.”

Born and raised in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood, Green graduated from Gage Park High School before entering the retail industry. He was managing a team of six at the Walmart Supercenter in suburban Bloomingdale when he learned about an opportunity at The Lancaster from a member of its door staff , Ryan Turner, who was also one of Green’s “best friends from school.”

“He called when the building was short-handed and said, ‘I got something here, and I think they would love you,’” Green said.

Green got the job and will celebrate his four-year anniversary in July.

A few weeks ago, a resident said she had been celebrating Chicago’s nightly sing-along to honor front-line crisis workers by placing a stereo speaker on her balcony. She wanted to know if there were any oth-er residents who would be able to enhance the tribute.

Green remembered a resident who had once built a “ridiculous” sound system.

“I asked him if it was okay that I gave out his number, and he was all for it,” Green said.

That introduction sparked the formation of “The Lancaster Core5,” a group of residents who haul lights and speakers up to the Lancaster rooft op every night to help the neighborhood send a shout-out to the people risking their lives to subdue the health crisis

“I’m happy to know that I had some part in helping to do it,” Green said.

His thoughts about working during the crisis are fueled by a knack for customer service and an inspiration to help others.

“We were concerned, but we know that the operations would not function prop-erly without us,” he said. “I look forward to coming to work every day because I know everyone in the building, and they make it a lot easier.”

Outside of work, Bernard is a “huge fan of bicycling.”

“I try to do 15 to 20 miles a day,” he said. “There are a lot of things that are going to be closed this summer, but hopefully I’ll still be able to do one of my favorites, ‘Bike The Drive,’ when they close Lake Shore Drive, and there are no cars, and you ride the whole 30 miles from like 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.”

To nominate your favorite doorperson, email [email protected] with their name and why you think they should be the doorperson of the month. Winners will receive a $25 gift card to Mariano’s.