The Honorable Dr. Teta V. Banks is a diplomat, human rights advocate, and educator. Originally from Liberia, she grew up in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of the late Dr. Victoria Banks and Rev. Dr. A.A. Banks, Jr. civil rights colleagues of Dr. King and Mrs. Rosa Parks. She holds the position as the National Chair of the United Nations Association of the United States of America, and is the first person of African descent to hold this position in the organization’s 70-year history. The UNA-USA, with its 30,000 membership throughout the USA, is part of the World Federation of United Nations Associations consisting of 94 countries. She is also the first woman of African descent to be elected to the Executive Committee of the World Federation of UNAs. Established by Eleanor Roosevelt, the UNA has as its mission to advocate for the mission and vision of the United Nations and upholding human rights. Dr. Banks accompanied the U.N. Secretary-General on his mission tour for the refugee crisis, and was a U.S. delegate to the Secretary-General’s U.N. Special Session on Human Trafficking.
Dr. Banks also has served as Consul General of the Republic of Liberia, representing the country as it progressed through an era of civil war, rebuilding, the ebola crisis, and redevelopment. Appointed in 1994 by the President of Liberia, Consul Banks has been responsible for increasing humanitarian aid to Liberia, trade and economic development, and as an advisor to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Dr. Banks has held numerous positions including the following: Executive Director of the King Association for Nonviolence appointed by Mrs. Coretta Scott King, Liaison for the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, President of the Consular Corps of Philadelphia, President of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women ( Pennsylvania), and founding editor of Vital Issues: The Journal of African American Speeches. In the academic arena, Dr. Banks has served at several universities including Spelman College, Rutgers University, Howard University, Washington University and Prairie View A&M University. She is a senior advisor to the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives by appointment by the great- granddaughter of Frederick Douglass, and serves on the Advisory Boards of the Thomas Freeman Honors College and the North American University. She is the Chair of International Trends and Services as a member of the Texas Spring Cypress Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and an esteemed Honorary Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She is the recipient of many awards and recognitions, including recognition as a “Distinguished Daughter of Liberia.” She attended Wellesley College, Howard University, Wayne State University and Oxford University.
