James Douglas Banks

James Douglas Banks, born September 24, 1955, lived a life defined by purpose, intellect, love, and an unwavering commitment to equity and humanity. Raised in La Grange, Illinois, by his parents Mable Alberta Banks and James Wilbur Banks, and with the steadfast support of his aunts Emily Jones and Eva Morgan, James grew up grounded in community and strength. He attended Cossitt School and later Lyons Township High School, graduating in 1973 as a student athlete whose passion for language was already clear, as he held a deep reverence for words, thoughtful ideas, and above all, the people those words were meant to uplift. During those early years in La Grange, he formed lifelong bonds with Ricky Turner, Kevin “Flip” Montgomery, and Alice Woodson, friendships that remained close and enduring throughout his life.

He pursued his love of language at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, earning a Bachelor’s degree in English, and went on to receive a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. During his college years, James became a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., forming brotherhoods with Stafford Hood, Leland Williams, Michael Andrews, and others that would last a lifetime. While in Wisconsin, he also built enduring friendships with Charles Wrencher, David Barlow, Tom Jones and Paul Elvord. Most notably, during these same years, he met his wife Sandra Baker, later Sandra Baker-Banks, in a karate class. What began there became a forty-two year partnership built on love and shared dreams. Together, James and Sandy welcomed their daughter, Jasmine, and in 1989 moved to Moreno Valley, California, where they built a life rooted in family and collective action.

Professor Banks devoted more than four decades to advocacy, service, and education. His career included meaningful work at the University of Wisconsin Madison, UCLA, UC Irvine, and UC Riverside. He served as a medical social worker for Riverside County Medical Center, the Inland AIDS Project, and Cedars Sinai Hospital. He was Director of the Gangs Initiative at UC Riverside and Associate Director of GATE Programs at UC Irvine. In every role, his work centered dignity, access, and the well being of others.

For almost 30 years, James served within the California Community College system, including San Bernardino Valley College and most remarkably Moreno Valley College. Joining the Moreno Valley College faculty in 2002, Professor Banks developed the Human Services Program and served as Chair of the Health and Human Services Department. He founded the MVC Food Bank and Clothing Closet, which became the foundation for the college’s Basic Needs Program and Monty’s Market. He also established the Renaissance Scholars Program, now known as Umoja, creating pathways of belonging and support for Black students locally and across the state. He retired in December 2024 after a career that transformed programs, expanded opportunity, and elevated countless students and families.

His investment in students was extraordinary. He was named Faculty of the Year fourteen times by the Associated Students of Moreno Valley College. He received the MVC Diversity Award, served as Club Advisor of the Year five times, and was honored as Commencement Speaker. In 2025, he received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award for his profound and lasting impact on the Moreno Valley community. Professor Banks often reminded his students, “Fear keeps you where you’re at. Faith moves you forward.” He believed deeply in growth, courage, and possibility, and he stood firmly in the belief that respect can never be negotiated.

Those closest to him knew a man whose spirit was as vibrant as his intellect. His lifelong friends affectionately called him “Jimmy,” a name that carried warmth and history from his youth. He had a deep admiration for Jimi Hendrix and was himself a guitarist, a published poet, and a passionate lover of blues and jazz. He revered the brilliance of Langston Hughes and the piercing truth of Gil Scott Heron, drawing inspiration from both as he reflected on life, justice, and the responsibility to empower others.

A lifelong sports fan, James proudly supported his Chicago teams, especially the Chicago Bears. He stayed loyal through the tough seasons, celebrated their recent rise, and took special delight in any and every Green Bay Packers loss, probably more than he should have. Win or lose, he represented the Windy City with pride. Whereas basketball was central to his life. Having played the game himself, he was originally drawn to it to watch the Chicago Bulls. When he moved to California, he later became a Los Angeles Clippers fan simply because it gave him more chances to see the Bulls play in real time. He followed the Clippers closely and made it a point to attend games each year with his daughter. On Friday nights, he took pride in taking Jasmine to the park to work on fundamentals and pass down his knowledge and love of the game of basketball.

James was a man of deep and abiding faith. A dedicated deacon of his church, he read his Bible daily and followed the word as a guide for how to live, serve, and care for others. His cheerful smile often reflected that spiritual grounding, and his voice was loving and caring, yet firm enough to guide you toward your highest potential. He possessed a contagious laugh, a quick wit, and an endless supply of perfectly timed dad jokes. He believed in lifting others, challenging them, and standing beside them with patience and compassion. To students, he was Professor Banks, mentor, and advocate. To colleagues, he was a leader. To family and friends, he was steady, protective, and deeply loving.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his aunts, his late wife Sandy, and dear friends Davy and Stafford.

He is lovingly remembered by his daughter Jasmine, Luther his mighty protector and dog, his cousins Barbara Lee Dancy and June Marie Stevens, his special cousins J.B. and Adrienne Allen and Ed and Jacque Smith, his lifelong friends and chosen brothers, his trusted neighbors, and his beloved Moreno Valley College community.

His legacy lives in every student who found their confidence, every family who found support, and every person who walked away from him believing more deeply in their own worth. His life was a gift, and that gift will continue to move forward in all of us.