Maryland 2022 - The Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture (MCAAHC) welcomes two new commissioners, Dr. Walter Gill and Dion D. Banks.
Commissioner Dr. Walter “Wali” Gill
Commissioner Dr. Walter “Wali” Gill, representing Baltimore City, was the first African American to graduate from the previously all-white and all-male Baltimore City College High School in 1955, and is a member of the school’s Hall of Fame. Dr. Gill earned a B.S. from Morgan State College and Masters, and doctorate degrees from Syracuse University.
A military veteran, Dr. Gill is an art and social studies teacher, professor, artist, actor, and author. His most recent book is Yesteryear: An Unofficial and Brief History of Pi Omega Chapter and Its Basilei of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc, 1921-1991.
Dr. Gill lives by the teaching philosophies of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, “Real education means to inspire,” and Booker T. Washington, “Call education what you will, unless it helps the masses, it falls short of its highest end.”
Commissioner Dion D. Banks
Commissioner Dion D. Banks, representing Dorchester County, was born in Cambridge, Maryland. After graduating from Cambridge South Dorchester High School, Banks ascertained a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management at the University of Kentucky while serving in the United States Army from 1990 – 1994.
Since his return to Cambridge, Banks has played a very active role in community engagement and leadership. From housing and educational initiatives to matters regarding social issues and sustainability, Banks continues to press forward to have a seat at the table, ensuring the entire city is represented.
Dion is a lifetime member of the Dorchester County NAACP, served on the Pine Street Steering Committee, 2012 graduate of Leadership Maryland, host of White House Roundtable on Renewable Energy for U.S. Department of Agriculture - 2012, and member of the Maryland Thermal Energy Taskforce – 2013, part of Governor O’Malley’s Trade Mission to Brazil – 2013, a member of the Cambridge Economic Steering Committee, board member of the Upper Shore Workforce Investment Board, and co-founder of Eastern Shore Network for Change (ESNC).
We look forward to their contributions towards discovering, documenting, preserving, collecting, and promoting Maryland’s African American heritage. Visit the MCAAHC website for more information.
