As you all know, my family has influenced my life and has molded me into the well-rounded woman I am today. But I want you to know that there are also more people who have supported me along my journey. I want you to meet them because without these great people, I would not be who I am today! My new Blog Series is called, People Who Have Influenced My Life. So here is my first Blog, Mr. Thomas Bankston.
Around the age of six, my parents enrolled me in preschool/daycare at United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) currently United Rehabilitation Services. Back then, UCP was an organization that only served children, teens and adults with cerebral palsy. The executive director was a very nice, curly- head, fair skinned, African-American man named Thomas Bankston!
Although Mr. Bankston was a man of power, he was very caring and a hands-on director. I can remember times when he would come down from his office to play with the kids. He would interact as if we were his own children. Mr. Bankston would also go over some of the lessons we had learned to make sure we were retaining them, in-order to be prepared for the next grade. I also witnessed numerous times, Mr. Bankston, conversing with the adult participants on how their day was going and if they needed or wanted anything. Now that I think about it, he was promoting self-advocacy.
When I say, Bankston was an all hands on deck type person, I mean it. From playing Santa at Fairview Church at the holiday party to hitting the dance floor during the adult dances, he was right there. After all the fun was done and over, Mr. Bankston was still able to go back to his desk and advocate to get the contracts, grants and funding we needed to keep the lights on.
Mr. Bankston had an open door policy. He genuinely cared about the clients. He always informed the parents, so they could make the best decisions that would enhance their love one’s quality of life and promote independence.
Although I was young during my time with Mr. Bankston, I now realize he was the first African-American I’d ever seen to hold an executive position. Just to see someone of my own race hold such a high position influenced me greatly.
Mr. Bankston is no longer here in flesh, but I’m sure he’s looking down happy and proud of the legacy he left behind. I wanted to acknowledge him publicly. I hope he knew how he influenced a young Shari to understand, no matter your status, creed, color or disability; you have the power to succeed and make a difference in the world.
Thanks Mr. Bankston. I salute you!
Nice tribute to Mr. Bankston! He is the one who hired me for the social work position I had at UCP for 7 1/2 years. I will always remember Mr. Bankston too for his genuine concern and compassion for clients at UCP.
Mary Ellen,
Thanks for sharing your amazing personal comment about Mr. Bankston. He was a great man!
I never met Tom and only saw him once at his funeral when I was informed he had passed. He left a legacy of caring and although he was “by trade” a mathematician, he developed a deep sense of mission in support of people with disabilities of all ages and lived it each and every day.
Dennis,
Thanks for sharing your kind thoughts about Mr. Bankston! You’re doing a great job carrying out his legacy. May you have continued success at doing so.
What a wonderful legacy to a great man! He helped to hire me too. I was straight out of college looking for a teaching job and applied in Dayton. This was one of his many “partnerships” that he made happen for the love of what he did. Dayton hires the teacher and aide, UCP supplied the room and therapists. Everything he did was a win-win! And that’s how I made many life long friends, including you!💗. That’s another story!
Debbie,
What wonderful thoughts about Mr. Bankston! So happy to learn how he impacted your life. Just to let you know, you also influences my life greatly! Friends are hard to come by and I hold you near in my heart.
Luv Ya 🙂
Hi Shari,
Thank you for sharing your story of how my dad influenced your life.
Hello Lynita,
You’re very welcome. It was a pleasure to honor your dad. He was awesome.