Rick Banks

About Rick Banks

My goal and passion is to serve people through community development, advocacy, organizing and policy making. I have over fifteen (15) years of experience as a community activist and organizer, ten (10) years in non-profits, and four (4) years of experience working in local government. These have given me the opportunity to work closely with and understand the needs and wishes of residents, community organizations, businesses and government officials to promote innovative approaches to better lives.My work, often managing multiple projects, has directly provided social services such as home repair grants and policy changes such as improved hiring practices and budget allocations that have provided direct benefits to thousands of Milwaukee residents.

Experience

1. Co-founder & Board Chair

   Mke Black

   Nov 2019 — Present · Milwaukee, WI, US

   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 downloads and over 700 businesses listedLeveraged relationships & marketing to fundraise over 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

Education

• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Political Science and Economics

  2009

• Marquette University

  Associates In Commercial Real Estate, Real Estate Development

Skills

• Workshop Facilitation
• Policy Analysis
• Politics
• Public Speaking
• Higher Education
• Research
• Project Coordination
• Powerpoint
• Microsoft Excel
• Community Outreach
• Community Development
• Team Facilitation
• Oracle
• Government
• Nonprofits
• Event Management
• Political Science
• Fundraising
• Community Engagement
• Shared Governance
• Leadership
• Grant Writing
• Bylaws
• Non-Profits
• Public Administration
• Student Government
• Event Planning
• Sharepoint
• Volunteer Management
• Public Relations
• Media Relations
• Program Management
• Microsoft Office
• Community Organizing
• Program Development
• Social Media Marketing
• Grants
• Statutes
• Public Policy
• Social Media