Tribute to Michael Howard Bankston III
WHEREAS, Michael Howard Bankston III was born on October 11, 1995, at Resurrection Hospital. Michael came from a blended family as the son of Marleen and Jesreel Cruz and Michael H. Bankston Jr., Brother to Mikeas Bankston, Jessica Silva, Yanitsa Cruz, Jesreel A. Cruz II, Aden Bankston, and Shiloh Cruz; and
WHEREAS, At a very young age, Michael Howard Bankston III attained the nickname "Mikey"; and
WHEREAS, Michael Howard Bankston III was a lover of family and friends and desired closeness and community when connecting with others; and
WHEREAS, Michael Howard Bankston III was awarded a full-ride undergrad scholarship through Posse 2012;and
WHEREAS, Michael Howard Bankston III graduated from Rauner College Prep in Chicago in the summer of 2013; and
WHEREAS, Michael Howard Bankston III enrolled at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut as a Posse Scholar in the fall of 2013. Michael displayed a passion for his Latinx heritage and music throughout his time at Trinity; and
WHEREAS, Michael Howard Bankston III, an organizer and radio show host, actively engaged in "Trinity's Temple of Hip Hop," a four-day annual international hip hop festival; and
WHEREAS, Michael Howard Bankston III was also a member of the Samba Ensemble, a Brazilian drumming and singing group; and
WHEREAS, Michael Howard Bankston III pursued his interests as the Community Engagement Chair of La Voz Latina at Trinity. He brought attention to Latin American culture, politics, and social issues within the Trinity community; and
WHEREAS, Michael Howard Bankston III served as one of the first ten Trinity students to mentor 5th-grade students at Hartford's Expeditionary Learning Academy at Moy Ian School, a public school serving the predominantly Latino population; and
WHEREAS, Michael Howard Bankston III graduated from Trinity College with a Bachelor's in philosophy in the summer of 2018; and
WHEREAS, With guidance from mentors, opportunities that arose, and hard work, Michael Howard Bankston III found his passion for philosophy and took his passion beyond Trinity; and
WHEREAS, Michael Howard Bankston III also aspired to pursue a career in medicine; and
WHEREAS, Michael Howard Bankston III desired deep conversations and inspiring others to believe what they believe with conviction. He was a student to life and modeled that mindset every day; and
WHEREAS, Michael's Pupil Perspective blpg highlights his objective "To provide thought-provoking ideas that could be applied to real-life situations and create a forum that is inclusive to all different kinds of thought." He lived life not through a singular perspective but the PUPIL Perspective. A view enlightened by his love for the people in his life and the city; and
WHEREAS, Michael Howard Bankston III understood the importance of Hip-Hop and the social impact of the movement and culture. Michael understood that hip hop was a lifestyle and for the people; and
WHEREAS, Michael Howard Bankston III was a lover of the community and desired to engage with the "everyday person" he encountered in the Logan Square community where he lived; and
WHEREAS, Michael Howard Bankston III advocated for those less fortunate than he was and promoted finding ways for those who needed social justice; and
WHEREAS, Michael Howard Bankston III encouraged the resources that were readily available for all in the City of Chicago. He enjoyed the city's commutable resources, riding on Chicago's public transit and taking the scenic route. He had a profound endearment for where he lived and celebrated life in Logan Square; and
WHEREAS, Michael Howard Bankston III was an avid bike rider and shared time with his friends riding through all of Chicago's beautiful neighborhoods. He was proud to be part of a community that continually sought ways to reconfigure and include new bikeways, considering the needs of cyclists while simultaneously undergoing other projects such as "La Placita"; and
WHEREAS, Michael Howard Bankston III was passionate about exploring the City of Chicago. Michael loved to visit and discover all aspects of Chicago, continuing the vast knowledge he had already attained ofthe city. Michael continually raved about the resources Chicago offered; and
WHEREAS, Michael Howard Bankston III enjoyed Chicago's many food and beverage selections. Michael was passionate about venturing into the city by riding in style by various modes and stopped at local spots to support the local businesses in his area. Many of the restaurants and cafes he frequented were on Milwaukee Avenue. From a coffee at Intelligentsia to a meal at the Harding Tavern; and
WHEREAS, Michael Howard Bankston III inspired Chicago's young artists to stay dedicated to their work and reflect on all they are learning in life; and
WHEREAS, Michael Howard Bankston III was an admirer of the arts. Michael often supported artists at art festivals and numerous local events; and
WHEREAS, Michael Howard Bankston III pursued his love for the arts by carrying sketchbooks, drawing, and painting in them to express himself with his deep perspectives; and
WHEREAS, Michael Howard Bankston III was a "writer." The community supported his artistic compositions, and his pieces were commonly known for his well-respected name- Pupil; and
WHEREAS. Michael Howard Bankston III had a deep admiration for his family. Me cared immensely for his siblings and enjoyed each personal relationship with them; and
WHEREAS, Michael Howard Bankston III greatly supported finding beauty daily and "Trusting the process." Michael passed away on September 17, 2021, while heroically trying to prevent a domestic situation from further escalating; and
WHEREAS, Michael Howard Bankston III is recognized as a "good Samaritan" due to his heroic act on September 17, 2021; and
WHEREAS, West Wrightwood Ave, from Kedzie to Spaulding, has been rededicated as "Michael H. Bankston III Ave" with an honorary street sign now hanging in front ofthe building where Michael lived; and
WHEREAS, Michael Howard Bankston III gave of himself, saving someone else. He will be forever missed by his immediate family, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and those in his community, his sphere of friends throughout the church, school, and Logan Square neighborhood, now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this 21s1 day of September 2022, do hereby honor the life and memory of Michael Howard Bankston III and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, (hat a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Michael Howard Bankston III.
Carlos Ramirez-Rosa Alderman, 35th Ward