The necessity of children having role models who look like themselves was a point of emphasis during remarks given by Dr. Daryl Banks at Saturday night’s NAACP Freedom Fighters Banquet.
Dr. Banks was a prestigious Rhodes Scholar in 1972 and Hopkinsville native Dr. Raymond Burse received the same honor the following year.
Dr. Banks cited a Johns Hopkins University study during his keynote address, noting that African-American students who had just one black teacher by third grade were 13 percent more likely to enroll in college.
He says he sees hope in those who embrace diversity in their communities and in America.
The NAACP’s annual scholarship was awarded to Christian County High School student Brooke McGee.