Nathaniel Banks began his professional career at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign African American Cultural Program in 1975 as Assistant Program Director under the leadership of Bruce Nesbitt. With the exception of a stint as Pricipal of Judah Christian School from 1985-90, he spent most of his working life at the University, serving in such capacities as Director of the Upward Bound and Multicultural Career Services in the Office of Minority Student Affairs. In 1998 Banks was promoted to Assistant Dean of Students and Director of the African American Cultural Program. In 2008, he was moved to the position of Director of Campus Community Interface Initiatives in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Public Engagement. He served as the President of the Association for Black Cultural Centers from 2004-2008.
Nathaniel Banks has been involved in community service for most of his working career. He worked with a local group of educators to propose a charter school for upper elementary and middle school children in 2000. CU Charter School Initiative although unsuccessful, led to a successful candidacy for the Champaign Community Unit School District 4 School Board where he served two terms. Most recently he has been involved with initiating and expanding an after school music program called Mo’ Betta Music. The program works with young musicians and vocalist to assist them in their musical development utilizing jazz, gospel, and popular music. Nathaniel Also Directs the Urbana High School Jazz Band.
Nathaniel has served on a number of community committees and boards including, the United Way of Champaign County, Don Moyers Boys and Girls Club, Champaign Urbana Area Project, and the Urbana Rotary Club. He has also served on campus and community committees such as the Safety Committee at the U of I, the Chief of Police Advisory Committee in Champaign, and the Police/ Community advisory committee for the City of Champaign Illinois.
As Nathaniel put it, his main purpose in life is to glorify God by his service to the community so that others will know that Christ is real in the world and in His people.
