Credit: Photo courtesy of the Chicago Housing Authority
Caption: Donald Banks, a recent graduate from the University of Illinois, poses with his family after receiving an Academic Achievement Award from the Board of Commissioners for the Chicago Housin
Growing up in the Henry Horner public housing complex on the West Side was no easy task for Donald Banks who was recently honored for a milestone he reached last month. Banks, 23, graduated in December with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural and Consumer Economics from the University of Illinois in Champaign His achievement as a first generation college graduate was recognized during a special ceremony at a recent Chicago Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners monthly meeting. The board presented him with an Academic Achievement Award As a kid Banks said he always liked solving problems and that his fascination with finance started during a high school internship at the Chicago Board of Trade. “Everyone thinks finance is just about money; but there’s a lot of emotion that is tied into people’s finances,” he said. “There’s way more to it than who has the big money.” He eventually became proficient enough that he served as a financial wellness intern at his high school, helping classmates with scholarship, loan budgeting and financial planning. Lewis Jordan, CEO of CHA, praised Banks for his accomplishments and for serving as a role model for other youth. “Donald Banks is a fine example of how determination and making the right decisions can be beneficial,” Jordan said. “As a product of public housing myself, I know how difficult the road can be to navigate. We are proud – but certainly not surprised – that Donald’s achievements are pointing him toward a bright future.” Banks added that he would like to start a community basketball league in his West Side neighborhood – as athletics served to keep him more focused in school. Copyright 2010 Chicago Defender
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