The Honorable L. Lamont Banks. 

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Most Worshipful Grand Master L. Lamont Banks, 33ᵒ is a native Tennessean. He was born and raised in the capitol city of Nashville. He is a proud family man married to Past Matron Crystal E. Banks of Capitol Hill Chapter No. 133 OES. They have three children; Trinity, Lamont Jr., and Christian. He and his family are members and have spiritual worship at The Temple Baptist Church in Nashville, TN.  He began his Masonic travels at the age of twenty-eight (28) on August 24, 2002 when he became a member of the legendary Capitol Hill Lodge No. 251 F & AM in Nashville, TN. The following year he was elected Senior Warden and in June 2004 he was elected the Worshipful Master at the age of thirty (30). The year of 2003 was an extremely active year for Bro. Banks. After joining the lodge, he became very active in the Prince Hall Family. He was made a 32° Scottish Rite Mason in James A. Henry Consistory AASR, F & AM, SJ, PHA in March of 2003. He served in several stations of leadership and became the Commander-in-Chief in December of 2009. May of 2003, Bro. Banks became a noble of Hella Temple No. 105 AEAONMS, PHA. He held several leadership roles on the local and state level. He joined the Legion of Honor in August of 2008 and was made an Honorary Past Potentate in August 2012. Bro. Banks joined the Order of the Eastern Star in September of 2003. He was given the highest honor the OES can bestow on a Mason by electing him Worthy Patron in June 2011 and he served for three (3) years. He still considers this to be one of the greatest joys of his Masonic career. 

 

Bro. Banks joined the Grand Cabinet of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of TN in August of 2010 with the appointment of Junior Grand Deacon from Most Worshipful Grand Master Arvin W. Glass. January of 2011, Bro. Banks was appointed Grand Convention Director by GM Glass. He served the Grand Lodge of TN in this capacity for many years. July of 2011, Bro. Banks was a charter member of the Benjamin L. Hooks Council No. 104 Knights of Pythagoras, PHA Nashville, TN youth group that would later become the Knights of Prince Hall. August 2011, Bro. Banks was appointed the Nashville District Deputy Grand Master by GM Arvin W. Glass. He served nine years with honor and is a three-time District Deputy Grand Master of the Year.  October of 2011, Bro. Banks was humbled by being unanimously elected to become a thirty-third degree (33°) mason. He became an honorary member of the United Supreme Council, AASR, SJ, PHA, X.L. Neal class of 2011. By doing so, he received the highest degree of a Prince Hall Mason. He was appointed a member of the USC Convention Dept. and served as Deputy Convention Director. October 2014, Bro. Banks was once again humbled and extremely honored by being granted the title of Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the United Supreme Council.  This title named him a leader among leaders and a Chief among Chiefs.

 

August of 2015, Bro. Banks was elected the Right Worshipful Junior Grand Warden of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of TN at the 145th session held in Nashville, TN. He served with honor until the 147th session held in Chattanooga, TN. when Bro. Banks was elected the Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of TN. The highlight of his Masonic career took place at the 149th session held in Murfreesboro, TN. Bro. Banks was elected as the 17th Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of TN. He is honored the craft chose him to succeed his friend, brother, and mentor, the Honorable Arvin W. Glass, Most Worshipful Grand Master Emeritus.

 

Bro. Banks has many titles and awards that he is extremely honored to receive. The top few range from husband and father to Grand Master, Sovereign, and Brother. As profound as these titles are, none are more important to him as Child of the ever-living God. His personal motto is only what you do for Christ will last. He endeavors to dedicate his life to do as Christ instructs in John 12:32 “and if I, if I be lifted up from the Earth, I will draw all men unto me”.  From 2002 to 2019 Bro. Banks has worked for the betterment of the community. When he is approached about the impressive volume of his work and accomplishments in just seventeen years, he states, “But God. A title worn without honor is meaningless. That title becomes an anchor tied around ones’ neck as they are thrown into the sea of despair.” When asked what’s next for him and the Craft? Bro. Banks replied, “Jeremiah 29:11 for I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope. Simply put, our best is yet to come”.