Dr. Brian Banks is a transformative leader in public education, criminal justice reform, and community empowerment. He currently serves as the Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer at MacDowell Preparatory Academy in Detroit, where he has led significant growth in student enrollment and academic achievement. A recognized school turnaround expert, Brian has a proven track record of revitalizing underperforming schools and improving student outcomes. Prior to joining MacDowell, Brian worked as an educational consultant representing charter schools in the charter authorization process, served as a 3rd grade teacher, and was an elected member of the Michigan House of Representatives.

Brian is deeply committed to uplifting underserved communities, drawing from his personal experiences growing up in poverty as a Black male in Detroit. Having been a high school dropout and faced challenges with the law during his youth, he understands the barriers many students face. These experiences shaped his dedication to education, mentorship, and reform, driving his desire to create opportunities for youth, particularly those from low-income and single-parent households.

Brian holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Wayne State University. He earned his Juris Doctor, concentrating in Criminal Law, from Michigan State University College of Law, and completed his PhD in Public Policy & Administration at Walden University. Additionally, he is a Michigan-certified school administrator.

As a published author, Brian wrote It Had 2 Happen: The Agony of Success and his dissertation, "Criminal Sentencing Disparities of Black Males in Wayne County, Michigan." He was appointed to the Belle Isle Advisory Committee by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, underscoring his commitment to community leadership and policy reform. Brian remains a passionate advocate for educational equity, criminal justice reform, and the empowerment of underserved communities.