HOWARD BANKHEAD
Blog: February-March 2014
“Community Service Work of
Howard Bankhead”
Howard Bankhead is director of two non-profits: Huntsville’s Tennessee Valley Jazz Society and Youth Golf Development. He engages his business skills and principles to affect community change with the aim of enhancing opportunities and solving social problems.
For 28 years, Howard has led Huntsville’s Tennessee Valley Jazz Society (TVJS) and the Tennessee Valley Youth Golf Development (TVYGD) programs to benefit over 34,000 school youth ages ranging from 5 to 18. Through the TVJS arts program, Howard works with some of the biggest names in the arts industry, just to name a few, NEA Jazz Master Ellis Marsalis, Jimmy Heath and the late Marian McPartland.
Since 1998, these international artists along with local and regional musicians have presented music and Jazz education in the schools to over 31,500 students, faculty and staff.
Communities throughout the Huntsville-Tennessee Valley metro areas have enjoyed and benefitted from the efforts of Howard’s dedications. Since 1986, as his resume indicates, Howard has created and developed several artistic events including an annual jazz festival and school programs. These activities have evolved into the formation of the Tennessee Valley Jazz Studies programs, where NEA Jazz Master Ellis Marsalis is the consultant and curriculum director. Also, as stated in his resume, Howard has been awarded a fellowship and the Key to the City of Huntsville from Mayor Tommy Battle.
In addition, for its artistic excellence and from Howard’s grantsmanship, since 2003 the jazz society have 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.
To continue the impact on the quality of life for citizens in the Huntsville-Tennessee Valley metro areas, Howard is initiating TVJS-E3= Education x Entertainment = Economic Impact. TVJS-E3 goal is to increase the quality of educational programs and entertaining artistic events, which will generate economic gains.
In order to give youth an opportunity to experience an activity that they otherwise would not have the chance to experience, Howard created and developed the Tennessee Valley Youth Golf Development program.
Since 2002, the Tennessee Valley Youth Golf Development (TVYGD) program has introduced over 3,100 children to the great game of golf, but more important, other facets of the program have changed the outlook many youngsters have toward education and productive citizenship.
Brief background information:
From 2002-2009, I was program coordinator and instructor for Huntsville City School Campus Success After-school Enrichment program. This program was funded by a 21st Century grant that has since ended.
I conducted after-school life skills program in Huntsville City School system for students in 1st to 5th grade. We introduce character education through life skills that are essential to success on the golf course that can help them flourish in life. These skills include self-management, interpersonal skills, goal setting and resilience. We also introduced math and science into our curriculum. The following are initiatives that our program has implemented in the Tennessee Valley-North Alabama areas.
I. Beginning in 2001, I founded Huntsville’s Tennessee Valley Youth Golf Development
II. In 2002 I initiated the “Hook a Kid on Golf” program
III. In 2003, I was awarded several PGA and USGA grants to operate the program.
IV. From 2004 – 2007 I was awarded and operated The First Tee of Huntsville program
As this formula indicates 60(a) + 40(g) = 100(pi) 60 % academic + 40 % golf = 100 % positive impact, this program focuses on academic more so then golf. What make this program unique and effective is golf is used as the context to supplement schools mandated reading, math and science curriculum. Character building is not an essential part of the school curriculum, but plays a major role in this program.
As you see in my formula, this program focuses on academic more so then golf. What make this program unique and effective is golf is used as the context to supplement schools mandated reading, math and science curriculum.
We do this because too many of our youth are not making the grade when it comes to reading, math, science and character. Personally, the character development is the most important component.
In order for TVYGD to stay relevant, grow and effective, starting March 2014, after-school mentoring and tutoring golf & life skills classes will be offered to youth and families in the lower Tennessee and northern Alabama area, known as the Tennessee Valley-Huntsville metro area.
With much appreciation,
Howard Bankhead
“Anything positive is possible”
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In order to grow and continue the success of TVYGD and TVJS, we ask for your love, support and donations!
Howard Bankhead
Executive Director
Tennessee Valley Youth Golf Development
604 Jordan Lane
Huntsville, AL 35816 USA
256-604-8172
