Michigan Site Supervisor of the Month

Site Supervisor of the Month Spotlight Article –August 2026: Justin Banks, City Year Detroit

In addition to being the Impact Manager at City Year Detroit, Justin Banks is a site supervisor to members currently serving with City Year Detroit. City Year focuses on supporting the development, growth, and success of students in systemically under-resourced schools, while preparing AmeriCorps members to be leaders in their communities and careers.

As a City Year Detroit Impact Manager, Banks oversees two host sites: Cody High School and Dixon Elementary School. Within his role, Banks supports and advises roughly 15 City Year Volunteers as they conduct their daily operations in their respective schools. Beyond basic team stewardship, Banks is responsible for communicating with school and corps administrators, creating personalized success plans for AmeriCorps Volunteers, conducting routine check-ins with each team, coordinating leadership development and bonding opportunities, and facilitating all data entry.

As a manager, Justin has proven himself an invaluable asset to both the corps and the Detroit Public School Community District. Yet, what makes him truly irreplaceable is his ability to connect with others.

According to current AmeriCorps Volunteer, Johnny Susany, “to say that Justin Banks is a special individual is a gross understatement. His humility, generosity, empathy, and commitment to others are a testament to what the human spirit is capable of. Each day, he attacks his work with a level of enthusiasm unknown to mankind––bringing a level of zeal and optimism to our schools that would make even the most cynical of Michiganders believe in a better tomorrow. To Justin, working with City Year is not merely a vehicle for subsistence or self-gratification, but rather an opportunity to create lasting, sustainable change for the community that raised him.”

Susany continues, “for those of us that report to Justin Banks, we can take comfort in the fact that we have someone eager to support us as both AmeriCorps Volunteers and people. Whether it be organizing community events, assisting with classroom management strategies, or simply lending a listening ear for an after-school rant, we know that he is steadfastly committed to his team, schools, and students. On a personal level, he has gone above and beyond to support me through the law school application process––writing letters of recommendation and connecting me with current attorneys for potential mentorships. This generosity extends to the entirety of his teams––as each member profits from his encouragement, wisdom, and guidance.”

Across American culture, leadership is often viewed through the paradigm of strength and aggression––celebrating egotism and competitiveness while simultaneously underselling empathy and accountability. Yet, in many ways, the true measure of a leader is not found in their personal successes, but rather the triumphs of those around them. One individual who has repeatedly demonstrated the qualities of leadership all citizens should aspire to attain––Mr. Justin Banks.

For more information about City Year Detroit, click HERE. For more information about AmeriCorps, go to www.americorps.gov.