Al-Nisa Banks

Al-Nisa Banks is a Living Legacy Artist at the Burchfield Penney Art Center. 

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Al-Nisa Banks is the owner, editor and publisher of The Challenger, an African American newspaper centered on community news throughout the Western New York region.

Banks was born in Henderson, Texas, and moved to Buffalo at the age of four. She demonstrated a passion for writing from a young age and went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Paine College, a Historically Black College in Augusta, Georgia.[1] Returning to Buffalo in 1971, Banks worked in several media positions, including as a news reporter for the Buffalo Courier Express and editor and co-founder of Buffalo After Dark.[2]

In 1979, she began working as a volunteer at The Challenger, the start of an enduring 40-year career with the publication. Under Banks’ leadership, The Challenger has grown in its physical and digital publication capacity and has remained committed to giving the African American community a platform to address and discuss issues most impactful to them. Published every Wednesday, The Challenger covers stories related to the economy, politics and social justice issues at the regional and national levels. The publication however also highlights achievements, art, cultural events and partnerships that uplift the community.

Banks runs the newspaper with the help of her daughters Leah Hamilton, Associate Publisher and Shola Clark, Administration Manager, a dedicated staff and a host of volunteers.[3]The Challenger is the largest circulated African American newspaper in the state outside of New York City, and has been recognized both locally and nationally as one of the most progressive Black newspapers in the country.[4]

 Al-Nisa Banks has been recognized locally and nationally for her commitment to uplifting Black voices through The Challenger. She was one of several African American publishers honored by the United Nation’s Black American-Arab Friendship Committee in 1980. She was named one of the Citizens of the Year by Buffalo Magazine and she has also been featured in Essence Magazine.[5]