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William V. Banks

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William V. Banks
Born
Williams Venoid Banks

(1903-05-06)May 6, 1903
Geneva, Kentucky, U.S.
DiedAugust 24, 1985(1985-08-24) (aged 82)
Alma materWayne State University
Detroit College of Law
Occupation(s)Lawyer, minister
Years active1949–1985
SpouseIvy Banks
Children3

William Venoid Banks (May 6, 1903 – August 24, 1985) was an American lawyer and minister who is the first president and general manager of WGPR-FM (which became Detroit's first black radio station) and WGPR-TV (which was the first black-owned and black-operated television station in the United States).

Banks was born in Geneva, Kentucky, and graduated from Lincoln Institute of Kentucky. He earned degrees from what is now Wayne State University and from the Detroit College of Law.

He also attended the Detroit Baptist Seminary and was ordained a minister in 1949.[1] He was also the founder of International Free and Accepted Modern Masons.[2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Obituary of William Banks, New York Times, Oct. 8, 1985
  2. ^ "Home". internationalmasons.org.