Rick Banks Email & Phone Number

- Regularly meet with County leaders and department heads to provide consulting and equitable policy recommendations.- Recommended changes to the County’s Public Budget Tool that resulted in residents being able to submit budgets that more accurately reflect their desires.- Provided technical assistance to Milwaukee Health Department to expand community knowledge of MonkeyPox Testing Site.- Conducted case study on success and challenges of the Office of African-American Affairs- Reviewed County Ordinances for blatant or obscure discriminatory effects based on protected status.- Leading review of the Racial Equity Budget Tool to improve its efficacy.-Reviewed responses to requests for proposals for real estate development and consulting services.- Collaboratively developed the suite of capacity building and technical assistance provided to , including: data, libraries, relationship connections, assessments, tools & training materials.- Serve as backbone organization lead and/or coalition member to provide capacity support to initiatives that improve health outcomes for African-American residents- Organize community engagement events to educate residents on civic engagement, affordable housing opportunities, Medicaid renewal & other resources.- Collaboratively authored the “Food Equity Engagement Tool” providing community engagement best practices and recommendations to accommodate diverse dietary restrictions and preferences.- Developed “Equity Access Town Halls” for County Departments to work directly from residents on identifying barriers to accessing County services.- Organized two successful "Black Lobby Day" events that brought over 300 black Wisconsinites to the Wisconsin State Capitol for workshops and lobbying time.

- Scout sites for potential real estate projects- Create and amend pro-forma based on changing projections and conditions- Maintain relationships with potential funders- Represent the company in meetings with project partners and government officials- Research alternative methods to develop affordable housing in Milwaukee, WI- Minority owner of a 40 unit affordable housing development in Lac Du Flambeau, Wisconsin

Created a volunteer-based organization to promote good things happening in Black Milwaukee and to house a database of Black-owned Businesses in the Milwaukee-areaDesign and implement nonprofit management policies and procedures.Oversaw growth of the app to over 10,000 downloads and over 700 businesses listedLeveraged relationships & marketing to fundraise over $150,000 mostly through small donationsBuild and manage relationships with organizational partners and business ownersWrite grants to philanthropy and business supportersLead the organizing of community events attended by hundreds of community members and business ownersOrganize and supervise a team of up to 10 volunteers.Manage organization's relationship to the media including writing press releases and conducting interviewsEnsure organization’s compliance with legal requirements of 501(c)3 organizations.Facilitate meetings of the Board of DirectorsAdvocate for policies that positively impact Black-owned businesses & Black communitiesFounding Executive Director: November 2019 - April 2022

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Us

Treasurer: May 2022 - April 2023Vice President: May 2023 - April 2024Manage the policy governance and determine the vision of a multi-store, multiple million dollar grocery cooperative that specializes in healthy and organic foods.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Us

Coordinated economic development initiatives in the city's commercial districts through the Commercial Revitalization Grant programReviewed and processed real estate development pro-formas and contractor quotes for thoroughness and accuracyPresented recommendations for real estate funding requests to the department funding committeeLed the team in distributing grant funds - processed 35% of all revitalization grants in 2021 in a team of 6Served as Commercial Corridor Team liaison to specific Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) by attending board meetings, connecting to City services and programs and working with BIDs to identify business location opportunities in assigned districtsAdministered BID board appointment process by vetting board nominees for adherence to City requirementsAdministered the City’s 2021 Fresh Food Access FundAssisted real estate developers in navigating city approvals and requirementsEstablished and maintained active communication with members of the Common Council to assist them in bringing to fruition their vision of development and business formation in their districts, by providing direct assistance to property and business owners Appeared before public bodies and community organizations to articulate issues and positions of the department and the CityCompiled and presented performance data regarding commercial finance programs operated by the Commercial Corridor Team Responded to data requests from policy makers and departmental managementWorked with business owners to establish a BID for Fond Du Lac Avenue through planning and outreachDeveloped business development workshops for business owners and neighborhood business groups

Worked to educate and engage the black community on power, economics and the importance of civic engagement.- Regularly knocked doors to learn the issues of community members and encourage votingAnalyzed city, county & state legislation, budget and other policies for impacts on the black community- Supervised and trained a team of up to 75 canvassers, including troubleshooting, debriefing, motivating and educating on civic & political matters- Met regularly with the Board of Director to communicate updates & receive feedback.- Wrote and contributed to grant applications to raise funds to meet the organization’s multi-million dollar budget.- Author of “The BLOC Agenda”- Drafted organizational statements, press releases, and op eds in response to political/community happenings- Coordinated the organizations involvement in local coalition campaigns- Founding Member of LiberateMKE campaign to divest funds from police and invest funds into affordable housing, youth programing and jobs and non-police violence prevention.- Member of St. Joseph's Accountability Coalition (SJAC) a coalition to ensure that St. Joseph's Hospital, the only hospital on Milwaukee North Side, remained opened and was maintained and invested in.- Represented the organization to the media and at public events through public speaking, op-eds, and press releases.- Assisted with processing payroll & expense reports to ensure compliance with all grant & legal guidelines- Lobbied city & county officials for policies to improve quality of life’- Managed and provided technical assistance regarding use of the organization’s multiple data management software programs

As an organizer with BLOC I worked to engage the black community in the political process through door to door engagement and acting a field director and technical manager for BLOC's field programs.

Ran on a platform of: - Investing in communities - Creating clean, health & sustainable environments - Reforming the Criminal Justice SystemFinished 3rd out of 5 with 977 Votes (15.8%)

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Us

Community Outreach and Assistance● Assist and meet with residents daily to connect them to vital resources and assist in problem solving.● Maintain regular communication with elected officials, police officers and city & county employees.● Coordinate the implementation the Harambee Neighborhood Action Plan to improve the quality of life in the area.● Facilitate the signing and enforcement of Good Neighborhood Agreements with local licensed businesses.● Provide leadership development to 6 youth through co-planning events and facilitating workshops.● Coordinate events such as neighborhood cleanups, back to school giveaways, softball games, housing fairs & farmers markets.● Organize and facilitate meetings of the HGNI Executive Committee, committees and resident block clubs.● Maintain bi-weekly e-newsletter to communicate with residents● Developed and maintain HGNI website and social media platforms.● Co-surveyed the exterior conditions 1000’s of neighborhood homes to better connect homeowners to needed resources.● Organized residents & testified on behalf of the community regarding a problematic liquor license resulting in a 10 day suspensionCommunity Development ● Worked collaboratively with residents to organize a neighborhood improvement district with the goal of providing home repair grants to homeowners.● Organized residents and leaders to form Rose Park Friends, Inc. to provide care and events at Clinton Rose Park.● Development team member for Riverworks’ MLK Library Development Proposal. Organized and submitted the written proposal and facilitated community input.● Lead staff person for organizing residents, property owners and community partners to complete the 5 Points Charrette (Neighborhood Visioning Session)

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Us

Worked in the heart of Milwaukee to provide better services, resources and programs to the Harambee neighborhood in order to improve daily quality of life.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Us

Part-time Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) Americorps member.My original project was to establish a "Friends of Clinton & Bernice Rose Park" group and work with them to develop events and activities in the park and coordinate park improvements. Project work included: Grant writing, resource development, neighborhood canvassing, relationship building, building public/private partnerships, volunteer training/management, event planning, record keeping, marketing and outreach.Promoted to full time organizer w/ HGNI at the end of Americorps term in September 2015

Maintained Facebook PageMaintained staff work planCoordinated and planned meetings and events including three large conferences attended by 200+.Recorded and stored meeting minutesStaffed table and communicated the mission of the organization during outreach eventsWorked in team to design marketing materials and website.Gained extensive knowledge on gardening, composting, urban food production, food systems and nutrition.

Personally registered over 70 students to voteEducated students on the importance and details of votingAssisted students in finding their polling placesConducted presentations to classrooms on voting

Milwaukee, Wi, Us

Worked on social and economic justice issues, leading discussions, workshops, and events on topics such as gender/sexual identity, racism, inclusion and oppression.· Member of a group of 16 diverse students who work together to establish the mission and vision of this new student created center.· Developed and assisted in building peer to peer connections between diverse students and student groups.· Conducted research into similar centers and their programs.· Trained to facilitate workshops on various diversity & inclusion topics including: Inclusive Language, Bystander Intervention, Suicide Prevention, Guarantee 4.0., Difficult Conversations,

Milwaukee, Wi, Us

Executive Produced various weekly programs with guests ranging from 10 to 850 peopleScheduled and led meetings with Board of Directors to conduct affairs of organizationCoordinated and oversaw membership committeesEnsured that records were archived for smooth transitionsBuilder and maintainer of organization’s websiteOversaw the creation of organization’s marketingManaged a yearly budget that exceeded $20,000Represented organization to UWM administration, media and community at-large.Co-established a tutoring program with North Division that connected BSU members to high school students and brought high school students to campus for tours, panels and activities.

Milwaukee, Wi, Us

Assisted students with preparing resumes and cover lettersAssisted in planning and marketing of career fairsPlanned career focused events to benefit LGBT studentsFacilitated Safe Space (LGBT Inclusion) Trainings

Milwaukee, Wi, Us

Through grant writing and fundraising oversaw the largest BSU budget to date of $130,000Co-producer of various campus and off-campus events with guests ranging from 50-850 people.Participated in various volunteer and service events.With President, rewrote the constitution and bylaws to improve relevance and coherence.Spring Fashion Show ModelMember since September 2009.

Milwaukee, Wi, Us

As an active, goal driven Senator I quickly gained the respect and admiration of my peers who UNANIMOUSLY elected me head of the legislative branch. There I used my position and skills to accomplish much needed climate, financial and environmental reforms and to get more students involved in the political process. · Served as chair of the Senate, prepared and scheduled meetings, trained senators, and ensured the dissemination of information to senators.· Served on many committees regarding allocation of millions of dollars and campus climate.· Supervised seven (7) senate standing committees and their chairs.· Served on search and screen committee for an administrative level position at UWM.· Handled and secured confidential and sensitive university information.· Kept detailed and organized records of Senate activities and legislation.· Instituted online streaming of Senate meetings.· Represented the Senate to the campus newspaper and university officials.· Administered Legislative Branch budget of $75,000.· Coordinated several student town halls and the student government retreat.· Developed plans to restructure the university funding model regarding sport clubs.· Lead co-sponsor of plans to cap and reduce the debt of the Athletics Department· Lead co-sponsor of plans to reform campus parking.· Worked with students statewide to address issues such as budgets cuts and student rights through lobbying and direct action style organizing.· Presidential Candidate for 2012 Student Association ElectionsServed on the following committees:· Senate Finance Committee (SFC)· Senate Oversight and Rules Committee (SORC)· Parking & Transit Subcommittee· Campus Activities Board· SA Executive Committee· Academic Staff Senate - Student Liaison

Milwaukee, Wi, Us

Elected to Senate in October 2009, defeating two others for the seat. Elected Deputy Speaker in June 2010, defeating one other.Worked with Greek Organizations on improving campus Greek life and restarting Greek Council.Served in the following committees: · Senate Appropriations Committee (SAC) · Recreational Sports & Facilities Advisory Board · Dining Services Advisory Committee · Educational Technology Fee Advisory Committee · Union Policy Board · Athletic Board Council on Diversity & Inclusion (co-founder) University Parking and Transit Subcommittee Student Affair Financial Adviser Search & Screen CommitteeAwarded bonus due to exceeding duties of office.Campaign manager for the winning student political party, Achieving Student Action Through Progress, in the 2011 Student Association Election

Madison, Wi, Us

Summer Intern Learned process of gaining insurance licensing and about the laws governing such. Rewrote and updated agency policy workbook Made suggestions to update the website by creating a mock website Assisted in processing licensing applications by scanning and data-basing applications.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Us

Working in the office of the alderwoman, I had daily direct contact with the constituents of the 6th Aldermanic Distric. Duties entailed answering and making phone calls documenting and addressing constituent concerns, communicating with city departments, preparing documents for the office,and staying up-to-date with current legislation and issues throughout the city of Milwaukee· Problem solved dozens of constituent concerns with municipal issues weekly.· Staffed town hall meetings and neighborhood walkthroughs.· Accurately calculated and analyzed the results of a public safety survey of 2000 residents.· Assisted in the planning of the 2010 Juneteenth Day Celebration.· Contributed ideas to the creation of public safety legislation.· Wrote and typed weekly meeting notes for records.· Performed everyday office duties.

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Political Science And Economics

Associates In Commercial Real Estate, Real Estate Development