Milwaukee City Wire

Milwaukee Public Schools and the Milwaukee City Conference are set to honor Jimmy Banks with a mural unveiling at Jimmy Banks Memorial Stadium on June 9. The event will take place from 10-11 a.m. at the stadium located at 4300 W. Fairmount Ave.

The ceremony is open to all community members, featuring speeches from Banks' family, artist Tia Richardson, and representatives from various organizations including the Jimmy Banks Academy and Friends of Jimmy Banks Stadium.

Tia Richardson of Cosmic Butterfly Design created the mural, which spans a 12-by-50-foot area outside the stadium. The artwork highlights teamwork, perseverance, and community service in tribute to Banks' legacy both on and off the field.

Jimmy Banks Memorial Stadium was renamed in his honor in 2022 and serves as a venue for MCC student-athletes. A Custer High School graduate, Banks played soccer at UW-Milwaukee before becoming the first Wisconsinite to represent the U.S. Men's National Team in a World Cup. He later founded the Milwaukee Simbas youth soccer club and coached at Milwaukee School of Engineering from 1999 to 2019.

Christopher Perceptions, Banks’ nephew, expressed pride in his uncle's impact: “This mural is a testament to my uncle and the impact he had on the game of soccer, as well as the Milwaukee community.”

Funding for this project came from Friends of Jimmy Banks Stadium with contributions totaling over $40,000. Key donations included grants from Bader Philanthropies and Greater Milwaukee Foundation along with individual donations.

Earlier this year, Milwaukee PBS featured Banks' achievements in its 'Black Nouveau' series.