Rick Banks

Rick Banks was recognized by the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors in June 2023.

By the initiative of Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson and Supervisor Peter Burgelis, some forty individuals and organizations were recognized by the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors and presented citations in a special meeting on June 22, 2023. "Today, we recommit Milwaukee County to supporting and uplifting the LGBTQ+ community, celebrating those who make a substantial positive impact on the LGBTQ+ community in Milwaukee County," Supervisor Burgelis stated. "Today we are making up for lost time. We have dozens of people to recognize, not because so much has been done in the past year, but because decades and even years ago, there was little to no recognition of the LGBTQ+ community. I am thankful to work with a Chairperson who enables our County Board to honor these well-deserving individuals."

Recognitions were made in the categories of "Community Leaders and Activists," "Government Leaders," "Business and Cultural Leaders," and "Health and Wellness Leaders". Banks' citation (largely self-written) read as follows:

• WHEREAS, Rick Banks supported the creation of the Inclusive Excellence Center at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, helped fund the LGBT Resource Center at the university, fought against proposed cuts and consolidations of community based resource centers and worked as an Intercultural Ambassador, educating students and campus institutions on the importance of creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ community members; and
• WHEREAS, Rick Banks is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and serves as a role model in his community as an active volunteer and mentor for younger Black LGBT people; and
• WHEREAS, Rick Banks has always supported LGBTQ+ rights such as marriage, adoption, anti-discrimination, gender-affirming policies, and uses his platforms on social media, panels, and media appearances to promote these values; and
• WHEREAS, Rick Banks is the Senior Program Manager of African-American Affairs at the Milwaukee County Office of Equity, and works with County Departments and community organizations to ensure that Milwaukee County is a safe and welcoming place for all people, with a particular focus on removing burdens suffered by targeted populations such as Black and LGBTQ+ individuals; and
• WHEREAS, Rick Banks took decisive action to recognize that the recent Monkeypox outbreak was disproportionately affecting Black LGBTQ+ men and worked to bridge communication gaps to ensure that this community had greater access to information and testing; and
• WHEREAS, Rick Banks organized the Harambee Neighborhood Improvement District, co-founded MKE Black Incorporated, and has knocked on thousands of doors to hear directly from community members, demonstrating his commitment to serving an listening to the community; now, therefore
• BE IT RESOLVED, the members of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, on the motion of Supervisor Peter Burgelis, along with Supervisors Ryan Clancy, Priscilla E. Coggs-Jones, Caroline Gómez-Tom, Willie Johnson, Jr., Felesia A. Martin, Juan Miguel Martinez, Shawn Rolland, Steven Shea, Liz Sumner, Sequanna Taylor, Sheldon A. Wasserman, Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson do herewith commend Rick Banks for his dedicated efforts and contributions to the LGBTQ+ community, and wish him prosperity, happiness, and continued success in all his personal and professional endeavors.