A green-emitting phosphor having the formula AaBbCcOdNe:RE, wherein A is a positively charged divalent element; B is a positively charged trivalent element; C is a positively charged tetravalent element; and RE is a rare earth activator. The parameter a ranges from about 0.5 to about 1.5; the parameter b ranges from about 0.8 to about 3.0; the parameter c ranges from about 3.5 to about 7.0; the parameter d ranges from about 0.1 to about 3.0; and the parameter e ranges from about 5.0 to about 11.0. A is at least one of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Zn; B (the letter) is at least one of B (boron), Al, Ga, and In; C (the letter) is at least one of C (carbon), Si, Ge, and Sn; O is oxygen; N is nitrogen; and RE is at least one of Eu, Ce, Pr, Tb, and Mn.