Education:
Music Performance/
Interdisciplinary Social Science, USF, Tampa
Eastern Airlines School of Reservations

Vanessa D. Banks is the daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth Rosier, and was raised in the home of her Grandparents, the late Dr.& Mrs. G. J. Martin, former pastor of the Greater St. Paul M. B. Church of Lakeland Florida until his death.

After moving with Mrs. Rosier, they continue to worship at the Greater St. Paul M. B. Church.  Mrs. Rosier encouraged Vanessa Banks to be coached in public speaking, charm school, piano lessons, tennis lessons, cello, clarinet, and organ lessons.  At the age of twelve, Vanessa was the youngest to march in the Rochelle High School marching band.  Mrs. Rosier vowed that Vanessa would be the first Black Miss America.  The 70’s was not ready for Vanessa or Mrs. Rosier, so Vanessa concentrated on her love for Christ.

Vanessa is now the wife of the Reverend Bartholomew Banks, pastor of the St. John Progressive Missionary Baptist Church of Tampa, Florida. She is the mother of four children, Kenya Banks-Mostyn, Barmeithia A. Banks, Barron Banks and Bartholomew Banks, II.  She is the grandmother of four, Donovan Mostyn, Maxwell Xavier Mostyn, Bartholomew, III, and Ashika Vania Banks.

Vanessa is a former Kindergarten teacher for Tampa United Methodist School, and Hillsborough County Schools. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Her religious affiliations include past Director of Music for the Progressive Missionary & Education Baptist Convention of Florida, and former Musician for the Minister’s Wives of the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc.

All and all, Lady Banks has donated her life to children’s ministries and to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.