Charles Banks honored by his hometown as
Citizen of the Year

    The Caledonia-Mumford Lions Club honored Charles Banks of Mumford with the Citizen of the Year award at a banquet held in his honor May 10, 2008 at J.W. Jones Hall.

   Over 70 of his family and friends attended the event and New York State Senator Antoine Thompson, 60th District, proclaimed May 10, 2008 to be Charles Banks Day. A life-long friend, Betty Shelton McClenney, presented Banks’ list of achievements, so numerous that it could fill a chapter book.

   As a youngster, Banks attended the Mumford School District and later Caledonia High School, graduating in 1942. As a student, Banks was involved in numerous clubs and organizations, including boys’ glee club, band and orchestra. He also played on the baseball team and was president of the music club. From high school, Banks served his country in WWII and played in the army band and after his discharge, played saxophone for a traveling big band before settling down to take a job with Eastman Kodak Company. He left that job to attend college at the University of Rochester on the GI Bill and a Kodak scholarship. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and political science from the university and in 2007, was honored by U of R President Joel Seligman with a 50-year medallion at their reunion and also honored with the Award of Achievement from Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Banks continued his education by earning a master’s degree in public administration from SUNY Buffalo and an advanced management certificate from the University of Missouri and Syracuse University Maxwell School of Management. He was a member of the first African-American college fraternity.

   Banks’ illustrious career in public administration earned him the respect of his colleagues. He held numerous positions at the local, state and federal levels, including serving as an advisor to NY Governor Nelson Rockefeller as chairman of the Upstate New York Area Council. As a result of his work on the political scene, Banks was asked to be part of a panel to develop a master’s program in public policy for the University at Buffalo, where the degree program has been in place for over 30 years.

   In all of his professional endeavors, Banks’ goal was to provide opportunities for people of color. He continues to be an advocate for equality for everyone, which is why he was honored with the Cal-Mum Lions Club Citizen of the Year award. At 83-years old, Banks continues to serve as a trustee of the Scottsville Free Library, as a volunteer with the Big Springs Museum, a deacon at Second Baptist Church, as a member of Wheatland’s Economic Development Commission and is a member of the President’s Multicultural Alumni Advisory Council at the University of Rochester.

   Despite a life rich with accomplishments and honors, Banks calls the Citizen of the Year award the ultimate recognition.

   "I’m delighted and humbled. Much of what I accomplished was done while I was away from home working in much larger cities. That’s why this means the most because this is where I started and this is where I will end my career.

   Worthy praise is most difficult to achieve from your hometown," Banks commented.