Conversations with ShaVonne Banks-Davis

ShaVonne, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am from Fort Worth, TX and a proud graduate of Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA. My goal after high school was to attend an HBCU and to bring my talents and education back to Fort Worth to give back to the community. I started my first company Banks Entertainment, LLC in 2006, offering printing services, talent booking, and events. Banks Ent quickly grew as one of the top CD/DVD Duplication & Printing companies in Fort Worth. I worked with a lot of music artists, poets, comedians, and speakers, booking them for local and national events. I collaborated with radio stations, city departments, and local organizations to produce community events such as Hip Hop for HIV, Fort Worth & Arlington Idol, Spoken Word Competitions, and various talent showcases and family-friendly events.

In 2014, I decided to focus on the younger generation and use my Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts to begin teaching Theatre Arts and hosting after school programs for school districts such as Fort Worth ISD, Dallas ISD, Grand Prairie ISD, and White Settlement ISD. In 2020, recognizing the power in the arts and the gift that I had to inspire young people through Theatre, I revamped Banks Ent to Acting With Mrs. Davis. As a full-time Theatre Teaching Artist, I teach virtual and in-person private acting lessons, classes, and professional development workshops. My goal is to support arts in the community and encourage the nurturing of creativity just as much as academics. I currently serve as the President & Executive Director of Maroon 9 Community Enrichment Organization. Founded by my mother, the organization is dedicated to enriching youth, educating the community, and supporting Sickle Cell Disease awareness. Maroon 9 currently hosts Virtual Hangout 101, a virtual after school program that provides daily workshops for youth of all ages in the areas of Fine Arts, STEM, and Life Skills. The program is currently providing services for Fort Worth ISD, Fort Worth After School, YMCA, and Clayton Youth.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
One of the biggest struggles that I have encountered along the way is persevering despite my past. When I was younger, I made the mistake of hanging around the wrong crowd and it landed me in a lot of trouble. My focus was off at the time and I didn’t understand my potential, worth or value. When I decided to become an educator, I was very nervous that my past would prevent me from what I now know is my purpose. But it did not. I have been blessed to receive my Certification as a Texas Educator and work in some of the top school districts. My past mistakes have humbled me and are the main reason why I love working with youth and encouraging them to always make the best decisions, know their worth, and live their purpose.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a Theatre Teaching Artist with my company Acting With Mrs. Davis, I have the ability to connect with youth from all over the world. Through the pandemic, I began teaching virtual acting lessons to give students a creative outlet and fun break in the day. I have taught youth from ages 3-18 from Dallas/Fort Worth and other areas such as Houston, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Puerto Rico. I am currently working on a virtual production with teen actors of the play Bone Soup: A Kwanzaa Story written by Jessica Hebron to educate the community of the principles of Kwanzaa. As a Theatre Educator, I was known and recognized for my ability to build theatre programs and create a positive culture that impacts lives through the arts.

My gift of being able to inspire a love for theatre and grow natural talent has directed students to win theatre awards and tournaments and gain acceptance into advanced theatre programs and schools. I am most proud of the year 2016 when I directed my students at Dade Middle School in South Dallas to produce a one-act play to enter in the district Pre-UIL One-Act Play Competition. It was the school’s first time entering and we won 3rd place. That same year I took a group of my students to the district’s annual Irma P. Hall Theatre Competition and all of my students scored 1’s (the highest score) in every category. I am also proud of the years 2017 and 2018 when I directed elementary students at Whitt Fine Arts Academy in Grand Prairie ISD to win first place two years in a row at the district’s Reader’s Theater Competition. What sets me apart from others is my ability to connect with youth through Theatre Arts. I have worked with youth from all backgrounds and abilities, instilling a love for the arts and teaching creative expression as opposed to violence and negative behavior. As an African American educator, it is my duty to use Theatre Arts as a tool to address social & emotional learning, culture and diversity. My acting lessons, theatre classes and educator workshops are individualized to meet my participants’ goals and are one of a kind experience.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can collaborate with me by joining the Facebook group, DFW Black Mentors & Youth Organizations. I created the group in the summer of 2020 when people were starting groups to highlight African American owned restaurants and businesses. I wanted to create a space where black mentors, educators, counselors, and business professionals can network to cultivate opportunities for our youth. The group currently has almost 600 members and has provided a platform for multiple members to host paid workshops for youth in various areas. We have even had parents to reach out looking for direct services for their children and have been able to connect them with people willing to help for free.

In July 2020, Maroon 9 Community Enrichment Organization with the support of Big Thought and the Dallas City of Learning, hosted the DFW Virtual Youth Enrichment Summit that provided 2-weeks of free workshops for middle and high school youth. The workshops were all taught by members of the group in areas such as mindfulness, coping with stress, creative writing, art inspired healing, and discussions about being black in the 21st century. To support the many endeavors of Maroon 9, please donate directly on our website at www.maroon9.org.

 Contact Info:

• Email: info@actingwithmrsdavis.com
• Website: www.actingwithmrsdavis.com
• Instagram: @actingwithmrsdavis
• Facebook: @actingwithmrsdavis
• Other: www.maroon9.org