2025 Citizen of the Year – Judge Henry Banks

The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize Judge John Henry Banks as the 2025 Citizen of the Year for his extraordinary lifetime of service to Vance County.

Judge Banks has called our community home for over 50 years. A graduate of North Carolina Central University with a B.A. in Political Science, he also attended Columbia University in New York City as part of his undergraduate studies. In 1973, he received his Juris Doctorate from North Carolina Central University School of Law.

Before his legal career, Judge Banks served his country. He was inducted into the U.S. Army and served from May 1969 until May 1972, where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and served as an Intelligence Officer.

Upon returning home, Judge Banks commenced his private law practice in Vance and surrounding counties with James W. Smith on October 1, 1973. During his career, he was admitted and appeared in each level of state and federal courts, including the North Carolina Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court.

His commitment to public service runs deep. Judge Banks served on the Henderson City Council from December 12, 1983 until April 24, 1996, and was Mayor Pro Tempore from December 1993 until April 1996. He served as General Counsel for the Vance County Branch of the NAACP for 23 years, during which he filed a landmark lawsuit in federal court that resulted in the formation of wards and districts for voting in Henderson and Vance County. This eliminated the use of at-large voting, enabling fairer representation for citizens running for public office in local, state, and national elections.

As a lifetime member of the Vance County Branch of the NAACP, he worked closely with the Vance County Black Leadership Caucus as one of its founders to increase voter registration and help secure the election of African Americans to various public offices. He presently serves on the Vance County ABC Board and as Chairman of the Warren-Vance Community Health Center. He has also served as a Trustee at Spring Street Missionary Baptist Church in Henderson, where he continues to serve.

In 1996, Judge Banks was appointed by Governor James B. Hunt as a District Court Judge, a position he held until July 1, 2025, serving as an elected public official for a total of 42 years.

Judge Banks is known as a quiet hero. He gives generously to many worthwhile causes in Vance County, but has chosen for those contributions to remain anonymous, never seeking credit. His honesty and integrity are truly inspiring. He is married, and together they have four wonderful children and six grandchildren.

Judge Banks lives by a simple motto: Be good and do good.