City of Huntsville, Ala., Mayor Tommy Battle’s representative, Kenny Anderson (r), shakes the hand of Howard Bankhead after presenting him with a proclamation and the Key to the City. (September 2, 2018)
BY AAGD STAFF
It’s official! The City of Huntsville, Alabama has proclaimed September 2 as Howard Bankhead Day. The designation was made by City Mayor Tommy Battle and presented by his representative, Kenny Anderson, along with a Key to the City of Huntsville during a special ceremony on that day. The acknowledgment praises the more than 30-years of work and community service put forth by its devoted citizen, a true Star of Alabama, Howard Bankhead.
An educator, golf instructor, businessman, and volunteer, and servant, Bankhead has provided a world of opportunities for his community and gleaned a wide swath of success while learning to “take advice from our elders and other experts.”
His organizations, Tennessee Valley Jazz Society (TVJS) and Tennessee Valley Youth Golf Development (TVYGD), based in Huntsville (Ala.), is a 501(c)3 nonprofit arts and youth development organization. Founded in 1981, its mission is to sponsor and encourage artistic development, sporting skills and healthy living through educational and entertaining activities in the Tennessee Valley-metro Huntsville, Alabama community. Bankhead’s programs are vast and he has done tremendous work while building a solid foundation for youth and enhancing their life skills. Over 34,000 school youth ranging in age from 5 to 18 have benefited. Through his “Jazz Education-in-the-Schools” music programs, presented by Alabama State Council on the Arts, he has exposed over 31,200 young people to the finest live and sound performances by jazz musicians. Within the arena of golf, Bankhead has presented the sport in conjunction with The First Tee, as a bridge to a variety of youth development activities while capturing the interest of thousands of young minds and providing a safe, nurturing environment for their learning experience.
Bankhead’s annual “Jazz-N-June Festival” is a highly popular annual Huntsville-Madison county event that attracts visitors from across the country to a substantial jazz hub, where some of the best national and southeast’s best performing jazz artists can be enjoyed. Since 2003, the jazz society has been awarded national and states grants, including the National Endowment for the Arts, the Alabama State Council on the Arts and Huntsville Arts and Cultural grant. Several PGA and USGA grants have also aided in operating his programs.
Presenting the Proclamation–How It All Happened
Bankhead recounts the actual day: “On September 2, 2018, I was encouraged by a good friend, Andre Harris, to join him and his lovely wife, Jo Harris, to attend a Jazz in the Park concert. My plans for Labor Day were to try, and then, return to playing golf– since I have been afflicted with a severe case of rheumatoid arthritis.” Bankhead did not want to disappoint his good friend, so he embarked on making preparations.
“But when a good friend pleads with you to join them, it’s hard to say no,” said Bankhead. “Upon my arrival in Big Spring Park East, there was a huge and diverse crowd.” Unknowingly, to Bankhead, his friend had perfectly arranged the pending surprise, which occurred after the first band finished playing. Kenny and the Birmingham promoter came on stage, they acknowledged their sponsors and called Bankhead onto the stage. “I was shocked!”
After getting over his initial shock, Bankhead humbly accepted the proclamation and the Key to the City, making a short speech which included these remarks. “Mayor Battle should be proud of the work that Kenny Anderson, the director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs is during. After strolling around and speaking to patrons, Kenny welcomed me to the event, gave me and my other friend Monroe “Money” Darrell, VIP passes and seats at a table. At this time, I was still wondering why Andre persuaded me to attend this Jazz event and why Kenny Anderson, give me VIP passes, and so forth,” said Bankhead to the huge, diverse crowd.
RELATED ARTICLE: Community Service Work of Howard Bankhead
For his more than 30 years of community service towards the betterment of his community, his mentor, Hundley Batts would be proud. In addition to 2018 being name Howard Bankhead Day, in 2012, Mayor Tommy Battle also awarded Bankhead’s great friend, the NEA Jazz Master Ellis Marsalis a Key to the City of Huntsville.
Congratulations Howard Bankhead for opening the minds and doors for youth and bringing opportunities to others. There is now one less UNSUNG hero in the City of Huntsville. Surely, he will continue to amaze others, while doing the incredible work that he does so well.
To learn more on how you can be involved please contact Howard Bankhead, Executive Director, Tennessee Valley Youth Golf Development, 604 Jordan Lane, Huntsville, AL 35816 USA
256-604-8172
Meet Howard Bankhead – Video Interview @ the 2017 PGA Merchandise Show
