Honorary Dawson Banks, Sr. Street
Image Credit:
"In All My Years: Portraits of Older Blacks in Champaign-Urbana" by Raymond Bial (Champaign County Historical Museum)
The Champaign City Council designated East Washington Street, between Phillips Drive and Fourth Street, as Honorary Dawson Banks, Sr. Street in 2022. The street name recognizes Dawson Banks and his business, Banks Barbeque Pit, which served as a safe place for African American children and teenagers to go after school. Among his many contributions to the community, Dawson Banks also served as a firefighter and active member of the Bethel AME Church.
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