Reclaiming Lost Narratives. Building a Better Tomorrow.
Dion D. Banks is not only a coach — he is a community architect, historian, and advocate who has spent decades working to uplift, educate, and empower the people of Maryland's Eastern Shore.
President & Co-Founder
Dion D. Banks co-founded the Eastern Shore Network for Change (ESNC) with a singular conviction: the status quo is not an option. As President, he leads an organization committed to raising awareness of issues in Dorchester County and creatively working with the community to inform, educate, and foster change that leads to social and economic empowerment.
"Where the status quo is not an option."
www.esnccambridgemd.comOur Vision
To be an allied resource for existing community based programs, local government, social service institutions, public schools, higher learning institutions, the department of corrections and our local courts.
Our Mission
ESNC will raise awareness of issues in Dorchester County and creatively work with the community to inform, educate, and foster change that leads to social and economic empowerment.
Reclaiming Lost Narratives
Gloria Richardson Day
A Historic Milestone — Honoring a Living Legend
Through the unwavering advocacy and leadership of Dion D. Banks and Kisha Petticolas, co-founders of the Eastern Shore Network for Change, the State of Maryland proclaimed February 11 as Gloria Richardson Day in 2017. By Maryland State Law, official days of recognition traditionally honor individuals after their passing — making this effort an uphill battle. But ESNC believed her legacy, courage, and lifetime of service deserved recognition now, not later. In February 2017, Governor Larry Hogan made history by changing that tradition, issuing a proclamation honoring Gloria Richardson as a living icon — the first time in Maryland state history that such an honor was granted to a living person.
Gloria Richardson
Civil Rights Leader · Trailblaser · Living Icon
From Cambridge to the world, her bold leadership helped ignite the Civil Rights Movement. We honor her today and every day.
Her voice sparked a movement. Her courage sparked change. Her legacy continues to inspire.
Stephen Allen Benson Day
A Historic Moment — A Legacy Honored — A Community United
On June 24, 2026, Governor Wes Moore of Maryland and Her Excellency Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia, signed the first-ever Sister-State Memorandum of Understanding between the State of Maryland and an African nation, establishing a framework for cooperation in trade, education, public health, agriculture, cultural exchange, and sustainable development. Under the leadership of Dion D. Banks and Kisha Petticolas, the City of Cambridge proclaimed June 24, 2026 as Stephen Allen Benson Day — honoring Cambridge's native son who became the second President of the Republic of Liberia. Stephen Allen Benson was born on May 21, 1816, in Cambridge, Maryland, to freeborn African-American parents, and rose to become a statesman whose legacy bridges continents.
Stephen Allen Benson
Cambridge's Native Son · Liberia's Statesman
Born in Cambridge, Maryland. Rose to become the second President of the Republic of Liberia. A living bridge between two nations.
"We are working from our platform to build a better tomorrow."
— Dr. Dion D. Banks, ESNC Co-Founder
Voices of Change Podcast
Real Conversations. Real Impact. Lasting Change.
Voices of Change is the official podcast of the Eastern Shore Network for Change — created to amplify truth, elevate voices, and inspire action across our communities and beyond. In a world that too often ignores our stories, this podcast creates space for meaningful dialogue on issues that impact our lives: social justice, education, health, history, leadership, and community empowerment.
Our Mission
To inform. To inspire. To ignite action. We bring you conversations with changemakers, advocates, historians, leaders, and everyday heroes who are building a better tomorrow on the Eastern Shore and beyond.
Your voice. Our platform. A stronger future for all.
Powered by Purpose. Driven by Community.
Created by Dion D. Banks and Kisha Petticolas, co-founders of ESNC, this podcast reflects our unwavering commitment to truth, equity, and justice.
"We are working from our platform to build a better tomorrow."
— Dr. Dion D. Banks, ESNC Co-Founder
Dual Hon. D. (Social Justice & Public Welfare, h.c.)
Tune In. Be Heard. Make a Difference.
New episodes drop regularly featuring timely topics and transformative guests.
- Listen on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, Spotify & more
- Share with your network
- Join the conversation
- Be part of the change
Listen Now:
esnc.podbean.comReflections on Pine
Remembering the Past. Healing the Present. Building the Future.
In the early morning hours of July 24, 1967, Pine Street — the heart of Cambridge's vibrant African-American community — was set on fire. Fifty years later, we came together to remember, reflect, and recommit to a future of unity, justice, and opportunity.
A History That Shaped a Community
Pine Street was once known as Maryland's Black Wall Street. It was home to nearly forty Black-owned businesses, the Maryland's only African-American library, churches, banks, and a thriving hub of culture, commerce, and excellence. The events of that night in 1967 left deep wounds, but also ignited a movement that would forever change Cambridge.
Never Forget - July 24, 1967
"It was not a Black event or a White event. It was an event for the entire community to learn, listen, heal and talk."
— Eastern Shore Network for Change
In 2017, the Eastern Shore Network for Change hosted a four-day series of events in Cambridge, Maryland to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Pine Street fire. The series brought together residents, historians, faith leaders, elected officials, and community members of all backgrounds for panel discussions, a candlelight vigil, a historical walking tour of Pine Street, and a community celebration of resilience. The events drew participants from across the region and sparked a broader conversation about truth, reconciliation, and the shared responsibility to preserve Black history on Maryland's Eastern Shore.
Our Commitment
Remember
Honoring the courage of those who fought for justice and improved the lives of generations.
Heal
Creating safe spaces for truth, dialogue, and reconciliation.
Build
Working together to create opportunities and a better future for all.
U.S. Department of State
ShareAmerica · Bureau of Global Public Affairs · July 2017
"A Small Maryland City Looks to Its Future"
Published by the U.S. Department of State and distributed internationally in six languages, this feature profiled Dion D. Banks as an emerging civic leader in Cambridge, Maryland. The article documented his founding of the Eastern Shore Network for Change alongside attorney Kisha Petticolas, the landmark 2012 town hall on race — the first public conversation ever held about the 1967 Cambridge fire — and the "Reflections on Pine" commemoration marking the 50th anniversary of the civil rights movement in Cambridge.
The story gained national attention and placed Cambridge's civil rights legacy — and Dion's role in healing it — before a global audience.
"We have a very rich civil rights history here in Cambridge that has never truly been told."
— Dr. Dion D. Banks, as quoted in ShareAmerica
Why It Matters
International Reach
Distributed in 6 languages to a global audience by the U.S. Bureau of Global Public Affairs.
Community Architect
Recognized for founding the Eastern Shore Network for Change and leading Cambridge's first public racial reconciliation dialogue.
Healing Through History
The article captured Dion's belief that a wound unacknowledged cannot heal — a principle at the core of his coaching work today.
Delmarva Now · USA TODAY Network
By Deborah Gates · February 2017
"50 Years After Cambridge Riots, Scarred Community Heals"
Published in the regional USA TODAY Network outlet serving Maryland's Eastern Shore, this deep-dive feature examined the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Cambridge fire and the community's long road toward healing. Reporter Deborah Gates quoted Dion directly as a community activist and co-founder of the Eastern Shore Network for Change, documenting his work to reframe the fire's legacy — from an act of destruction to a symbol of a community's unaddressed pain.
The article placed Dion alongside Cambridge's mayor, historians, and civil rights witnesses as a leading voice in the "Reflections on Pine" commemoration.
"It's all that people know us for — the fire put us on the map. This is the 50th anniversary of the 'long, hot summer,' and the ESNC is committed to creating economic prosperity for change."
— Dr. Dion D. Banks, as quoted in Delmarva Now
Why It Matters
Regional Authority
Published in the USA TODAY Network — the largest local news network in the country — reaching readers across Maryland's Eastern Shore.
Reframing the Narrative
Dion is quoted as the organizer working to correct the historical record: the fire was an act of protest, not senseless destruction.
Voice of the Community
Placed alongside historians, the mayor, and eyewitnesses as a primary source on Cambridge's civil rights legacy and path forward.
The Baltimore Sun
By Jonathan M. Pitts · February 12, 2017
"Half a Century After Rioting Ravaged Cambridge, Town Seeks to Embrace History — So as to Transcend It"
Maryland's paper of record sent a staff writer and photographer to Cambridge for this major feature on the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Pine Street fire. Dion is quoted four times and photographed at Bethel AME Church — the historic heart of the civil rights movement — as the central civic figure driving the city's reconciliation effort alongside Mayor Victoria Jackson-Stanley.
The article traces the full arc from Cambridge's slave-trade past through the 1967 riots to Dion's founding of the Eastern Shore Network for Change — positioning him as the architect of the city's healing and forward momentum.
"When the conversation got heated, we realized there had never been a public conversation about this, ever, in the city of Cambridge. That meeting ended up with people talking, hugging and crying."
— Dr. Dion D. Banks, as quoted in The Baltimore Sun
Why It Matters
Maryland's Paper of Record
The Baltimore Sun is the state's most authoritative newspaper — a feature here signals recognition at the highest level of Maryland journalism.
Central Civic Figure
Quoted four times and photographed on-site, Dion is presented as the primary architect of Cambridge's reconciliation — not a bystander.
Healing as Leadership
The article draws a direct line from Dion's community work to the coaching philosophy he brings to clients today: acknowledge the wound, then move forward.
Leadership Maryland
Member Story Feature · February 2017
"Driven by Passion and Purpose: How a Leadership Maryland Alum is Changing the Perceptions of Maryland's Eastern Shore"
Leadership Maryland — the state's premier leadership development programme — published this full editorial profile of Dion Banks '12 as a flagship example of what its alumni go on to achieve. The piece traces his journey from leaving Cambridge, returning to care for his father, and choosing to stay and fight for his community — through his founding of ESNC, his role as campaign manager for Mayor Victoria Jackson-Stanley, and his leadership of the "50 Years After the Fire" commemoration.
The organisation credits Leadership Maryland with giving Dion the perspective shift that turned him from a problem-identifier into a problem-solver — the same transformation he now facilitates for his coaching clients.
"Leadership Maryland changed my perspective and it changed my thought process when I look at the issues affecting our state and our communities. Now when I come across a problem, instead of offering sorrow or pity, I ask myself how I can get involved and help fix it."
— Dr. Dion D. Banks, Leadership Maryland Member Story
Why It Matters
Flagship Alumni Story
Selected by Leadership Maryland as the exemplar of what its Class of 2012 alumni achieved — the organisation's own endorsement of Dion's impact.
Community Transformation
Documents the founding of ESNC, the expungement project, youth mentorship, and the grassroots movement to prepare Cambridge for its next chapter.
The Coaching Origin Story
The profile captures the exact mindset shift — from observer to problem-solver — that now defines Dion's coaching methodology.
My Eastern Shore MD
By Dustin Holt · February 13, 2017
"Feb. 11 Declared Gloria Richardson Day"
When Maryland Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford came to Cambridge to present a state proclamation declaring February 11 Gloria Richardson Day, it was Dion Banks who organised the ceremony and led the standing-room-only crowd at Bethel AME Church. The news photograph — published across the Chesapeake Publishing regional network — shows Dion centre-frame, fist raised, with the Lt. Governor to his right.
The event, organised by Dion's Eastern Shore Network for Change, also marked the "Reflections on Pine Street" Black History Month programme — the first of the 50th anniversary commemorations — and drew local and state dignitaries alongside Cambridge's mayor and hundreds of community members.
"We are working from your platform."
— Dr. Dion D. Banks, addressing Gloria Richardson at the ceremony
Why It Matters
State-Level Recognition
A Maryland Lt. Governor's visit to an event Dion organised is a direct signal of his standing as a civic leader trusted at the state level.
Regional News Coverage
Published across the Chesapeake Publishing network serving Maryland's Eastern Shore — the primary regional news authority for Dorchester County.
Honouring Civil Rights Legacy
Dion's role as organiser and crowd leader at a ceremony honouring Gloria Richardson — one of the most significant civil rights figures in Maryland history — speaks directly to his roots and values.
Maryland Historical Trust · Official State Blog
Featured · March 31, 2018
"Celebrating Cambridge Heroines: Women at the Frontlines of Social Change"
The Maryland Historical Trust — the state's official historic preservation agency — published this feature on the legacy of the Cambridge Movement and the women who shaped it. The article names Dion Banks and Kisha Petticolas as co-founders of the Eastern Shore Network for Change, citing their work continuing the legacy of Gloria Richardson and bringing the community together through the "Reflections on Pine" commemorations.
The piece was written by a MHT communications intern and published on the Trust's official blog — a state-level institutional endorsement of Dion's role in preserving and advancing Cambridge's civil rights legacy.
Why It Matters
State-Level Recognition
The Maryland Historical Trust is a state government agency. Being named in their official publication places Dion in the permanent record of Maryland civil rights history.
Continuing the Legacy
The article positions Dion and ESNC as the living continuation of Gloria Richardson's Cambridge Movement — a direct line from the 1960s to the present day.
Community as Classroom
The Trust's feature validates Dion's core belief: that understanding a community's painful history is the foundation for building a more equitable future.
Chesapeake Forum · Chesapeake College
Course Instructor · Winter 2025 · Hybrid (In-Person + Zoom)
"Focusing on the Past for Change in the Future"
Chesapeake Forum — the continuing education programme of Chesapeake College, the regional community college serving Maryland's Eastern Shore — selected Dion to design and deliver a multi-session hybrid course on the African American experience in Dorchester County. The course uses the county's landscape as a living classroom, walking participants in the footsteps of the enslaved and iconic figures from the late 1700s to the present day.
Participants explore how murals, public art, and the built environment preserve and amplify the African American narrative — and how understanding that history creates the conditions for a more inclusive and equitable society. Both sessions were recorded and remain available through the college's platform.
"We will be challenged to engage with the environment and step back into the past while walking in the footprints of the enslaved and other iconic African American heroes — from the late 1700s to the present day."
— Dr. Dion D. Banks, Course Description, Chesapeake Forum
Why It Matters
Institutional Endorsement
Chesapeake College vetted and selected Dion to design and teach this curriculum — a formal academic credential that goes beyond a speaking appearance.
Community Roots
Teaching the African American experience of Dorchester County to the county's own residents is the most direct expression of Dion's commitment to his home community.
The Coaching Bridge
The course's central thesis — use the past to create change in the future — is the same framework Dion brings to every coaching engagement.
Maryland Economic Development Association · MEDA Annual Conference
Featured Panelist · April 26, 2022 · Annapolis, MD
"Restoring Community: Preservation as an Economic Driver"
Dion was selected as a featured panelist at the 2022 MEDA Annual Conference — the premier gathering of Maryland's economic development community. The panel, moderated by Ward Bucher of Encore Sustainable Architects, explored how historic preservation reconnects neighbourhoods, people, and opportunity across the state.
Dion spoke as Co-founder and President of the Eastern Shore Network for Change, representing the Bethel AME Church restoration effort and the broader work of ensuring that Cambridge's entire community has a seat at the table in decisions about its future. Fellow panelists included architects, preservation leaders, and development professionals from across Maryland.
Why It Matters
Statewide Platform
MEDA is Maryland's leading economic development association. Being selected as a panelist places Dion's community work in front of the state's most influential development professionals.
Community Voice
Dion represented Cambridge and the Eastern Shore Network for Change — ensuring that grassroots, community-led preservation had a voice alongside architects and institutional developers.
Preservation & Equity
The panel examined how restoring historic properties revitalises residents and economic outlook while fostering cultural diversity — the same values at the core of Dion's civic work.
Amplifying the Voices · October 2026
Featured Panelist · Three Cultures Center at Handsell Historic Site · Vienna, MD
Reflections of Descendants Panel
Dr. Dion D. Banks joined fellow panelists Elaine McGill and Kisha Petticolas for the "Reflections of Descendants" panel at Amplifying the Voices — a programme hosted by the Nanticoke Historic Preservation Alliance (NHPA) at the Three Cultures Center at Handsell Historic Site in Vienna, Maryland, with interpretive partners The Slave Dwelling Project and The Chronicles of Adam, and sponsored by the Maryland Center for History and Culture.
Guided by the theme "From the records of the past to the stories we carry forward," the panel brought together descendants and community leaders to explore how ancestral memory shapes present-day identity — and how bearing witness to that history becomes an act of healing and civic responsibility.
"From the records of the past to the stories we carry forward."
Amplifying the Voices · Reflections of Descendants Panel
Programme Details
Host
Nanticoke Historic Preservation Alliance (NHPA) at the Three Cultures Center at Handsell Historic Site, 4837 Indiantown Rd., Vienna, MD 21869
Interpretive Partners
The Slave Dwelling Project (SDP) · The Chronicles of Adam
Sponsored By
Maryland Center for History and Culture
Legacy in Real Time
Alongside ESNC co-founder Kisha Petticolas, Dion's presence on this panel is a direct continuation of the work the Maryland Historical Trust recognised in 2018 — the Cambridge Movement's living legacy, carried forward.
From the Eastern Shore to the White House
Long before coaching, Dion was at the table — testifying before legislatures, hosting White House delegations, and being selected among Maryland's most promising senior leaders.
White House · Cambridge, MD
White House Roundtable on Renewable Energy
Cambridge International was selected as one of only 100 sites nationwide to host a White House roundtable on the green economy and renewable energy. As Director of Governmental Affairs, Dion served as host and company spokesperson — welcoming the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service Administrator and approximately 50 regional business and community leaders to the discussion.
The results of the roundtable were used to directly shape Obama Administration policy on clean energy and job creation.
Read the Press Release"This was an historic moment for Cambridge International, Dorchester County, the City of Cambridge and the State of Maryland."
— Dr. Dion D. Banks
Maryland House of Representatives · February 23, 2012
Legislative Testimony — Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act
Dion testified at the First Reading of the Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2012 before the Maryland House of Representatives — chosen as the corporate representative due to his extensive knowledge of renewable energy resources and his membership in the Maryland Offshore Wind Business and Organization Coalition.
The initiative sought to supply electricity from an offshore wind farm in Ocean City, MD, supported by Governor O'Malley, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and the National Wildlife Federation.
Read the Press Release"We are pleased to be a partner with the Governor as we work as a team to create a sustainable state."
— Dr. Dion D. Banks, Testimony, 2012
Leadership Maryland · Class of 2012
Selected for Leadership Maryland — Class of 2012
Chosen from thousands of applicants as one of only 50 participants in Leadership Maryland's Class of 2012 — an independent, statewide program that develops informed senior-level leaders through an eight-month educational series focused on Maryland's most vital issues: education, environment, economic development, and health care.
Dion was selected for his decade of service at Cambridge International, his deep roots in Dorchester County, and his demonstrated commitment to community, family, and faith.
Read the Announcement"This is also an opportunity for me to share my experiences of growing up on the Eastern Shore, promote the City of Cambridge and Dorchester County."
— Dr. Dion D. Banks, on his selection
Maryland Senate Committee · March 20, 2012
Senate Testimony — Thermal Biomass & Renewable Energy Credits
Testified before the Maryland Senate Committee on March 20, 2012, advocating for Senate Bill 1004 — legislation to include thermal biomass systems in Maryland's Renewable Energy Credit program. The bill supported Eastern Shore farmers converting poultry litter to clean thermal energy, protecting the Chesapeake Bay watershed while creating jobs in engineering and manufacturing.
Within a single month, Dion testified before both chambers of the Maryland legislature — the House on offshore wind (February 23) and the Senate on biomass energy (March 20) — establishing him as a recognized voice on Maryland energy policy.
Read the Press Release"The State of Maryland is looking to address the environmental impact to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed without negatively impacting our state's strong agricultural economy."
— Dr. Dion D. Banks, Senate Testimony, 2012
Electoral Leadership · Cambridge & Dorchester County
Campaign Manager · Two Winning Campaigns
Building the Leadership That Builds the Community
Dion's commitment to community change has extended to the ballot box. As campaign manager for Mayor Victoria Jackson-Stanley's re-election campaign, he helped secure a second term for the first African-American woman elected Mayor of the City of Cambridge — a historic milestone he had supported from the beginning, having earlier served as assistant campaign manager for municipal elections in the city.
In June 2026, Dion served as campaign manager for Rev. Dr. Yvonne D. Penn in the Dorchester County Council District 2 Democratic Primary — leading her to a decisive victory over a long-serving incumbent, 68.2% to 31.8%. Rev. Dr. Penn will be sworn into office in November 2026.
Campaign Record
Early 2000s
Assistant Campaign Manager
Municipal elections, City of Cambridge — early civic formation in electoral organizing.
Second Term
Campaign Manager
Mayor Victoria Jackson-Stanley re-election — the first African-American woman elected Mayor of Cambridge.
June 23, 2026
Campaign Manager
Rev. Dr. Yvonne D. Penn · Dorchester County Council District 2 · Won 68.2% vs. 31.8% over incumbent William Nichols.
Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce · August 2013
Community Volunteer of the Year
Named Community Volunteer of the Year by the Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce while serving as Director of Governmental Affairs at Cambridge International. Introduced by event committee chairwoman Jennifer Layton, who highlighted his decade-long tenure with the company, his role in developing new technologies to benefit both the public and private sectors, and his larger vision for driving technology-led business growth in Cambridge.
Cambridge International · Brazil & El Salvador · December 2013
Governor's Trade Delegation — Brazil & El Salvador
As Director of Governmental Affairs at Cambridge International, Dion traveled with Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and a delegation of more than 30 Maryland businesses, higher education leaders, and government officials on a nine-day economic development mission to Brazil and El Salvador. The trip was designed to strengthen economic and cultural ties between Maryland and Latin America through meetings with top officials and potential investment partners.
While in Brazil, Governor O'Malley announced that Cambridge International would expand its engineered solutions manufacturing facility in São Paulo — a direct result of the relationships Dion helped forge. He represented Maryland's business community at the highest level of state government on an international stage.
"Cambridge International is a great example for other companies in Maryland and the nation because we've illustrated that we can innovate and reinvent ourselves towards a secure future."
— Dr. Dion D. Banks, Director of Government Affairs, Cambridge International
Cambridge Engineered Solutions · Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam · 2015 & 2016
VIETFISH — International Trade Representative
As Sales Director at Cambridge Engineered Solutions, Dion represented the company at VIETFISH 2015 and VIETFISH 2016 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam — one of the world's largest seafood processing trade exhibitions, drawing 30,000 industry professionals from across Southeast Asia and around the globe. The 21-hour, 11-time-zone journey placed him at the intersection of international commerce, cross-cultural relationship building, and global industry leadership.
Working alongside regional distributors CVS Group and Southern Star Service, Dion presented Cambridge's processing solutions to manufacturers and packagers across Asia — demonstrating the same collaborative, relationship-first approach that defines his coaching practice today.
Cambridge Engineered Solutions · Middle East, Southeast Asia & Africa · 2014
Halal Certification — Global Market Strategy
As Director of Global Affairs, Dion championed Cambridge Engineered Solutions' voluntary pursuit of Halal certification through the Islamic Services of America — making Cambridge the only metal belt manufacturer in the world with ISA Halal certification. The strategy opened food processing markets across the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Africa, serving the dietary requirements of more than 1.5 billion observant Muslims worldwide.
The initiative reflected Dion's belief that responsible global business requires cultural intelligence — understanding not just markets, but the values and practices of the communities you serve.
"As a global leader in conveyor equipment, we believe it's both good and responsible business that the equipment we make and sell to food processing companies around the world could meet the dietary requirements of more than one billion observant Muslims."
— Dr. Dion D. Banks, Director of Global Affairs, Cambridge Engineered Solutions
Diplomacy in Action: Cambridge to Addis Ababa
February 2018 — Ethiopia
In February 2018, Dion D. Banks traveled to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia as a U.S. State Department Diplomacy Speaker — a direct result of the nationally recognized Reflections on Pine events ESNC organized in Cambridge in July 2017. The invitation came from the United States Embassy, recognizing the power of Cambridge's civil rights narrative and ESNC's community healing work as a model worth sharing with the world.
Mission
Served as an Ambassador for Change, sharing Cambridge and Dorchester County's civil rights story, community healing efforts, and narrative-reclamation work with audiences in Ethiopia.
Platform
Spoke at the American Center at the National Archives and Library Agency in Addis Ababa. The session was livestreamed to American Corners in Bahir Dar, Jimma, and Dire Dawa — extending the reach of the Cambridge story across Ethiopia.
Delegation
Traveled alongside ESNC Co-Founder Kisha Petticolas and then-Cambridge Mayor Victoria Jackson-Stanley — representing the full breadth of Cambridge's civic, community, and governmental leadership.
Program
The visit was part of the U.S. Embassy's Black History Month programming — a 'Healing History' speaker series connecting American civil rights narratives to global audiences and fostering cross-cultural dialogue on justice, memory, and community resilience.
"The story of Cambridge — of Pine Street, of loss, of resilience, and of reclamation — is not just a local story. It is a human story. And it belongs to the world."
— Dr. Dion D. Banks, U.S. State Department Speaker, Ethiopia 2018
This experience is at the heart of what Dion brings to every coaching engagement: the lived understanding that healing is not just personal — it is communal, historical, and transformative. When you work with Dion, you work with someone who has carried that message across continents.
Semonun Addis: Coverage on Black History Month
Semonun Addis is the flagship cultural affairs program of the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) — one of Africa's most-watched public broadcasters, with over 3.61 million subscribers on YouTube. In February 2018, the program featured the Cambridge delegation during their U.S. State Department Speaker Program visit to Addis Ababa. In this segment, Dion D. Banks, Kisha Petticolas, and Mayor Victoria Jackson-Stanley share reflections on the significance of Black History Month as a bridge between the African diaspora and the African continent — and the power of community-led healing to transcend borders. To watch the full interview, click the link below.
Advocates. Leaders. Change Makers.
Dion D. Banks and Kisha Petticolas continue to champion truth, justice, and historical recognition across Maryland's Eastern Shore and beyond. Their work through ESNC is a testament to what is possible when community members refuse to accept the status quo.
Learn More About ESNC