The affairs of the Corporation are governed by a Board of Directors composed of seven (7) persons (hereinafter “the Board”). The Board is comprised of a talented group of individuals dedicated to Banneker Homes community. Each member lends their experience in their professional life and their desire to have the best community in San Francisco. Director’s are elected or appointed for a one-year (annually) term.

Their time and talents ensure efficient operation today and for the future stability of the Co-operative. Like any successful corporation, the Board of Directors must know their organization and be willing to devote many hours to keep up with cooperative trends, legal requirements and market expectations. This Board of Directors does these things and much more.  

Banneker Homes Board Members interviewed by TRACOR’s Ms. Trace Abrams at their Annual Christmas Party and Board Meeting:

Interview with Board Member, Ms. Stella M. Baker, President

Trace: As the President of the Board, what were some of your goals this year?
Stella: We have a newly elected Board this year so a lot of the things we are doing to make things much better. We have a program for the kids, you can see all of the toys we have to give away here for the holidays. Also we have Board meetings once a month to discuss the things we’d like to do. We have been attending many conventions, one recently was here [San Francisco] downtown, it was the National Convention. We are now doing the grounds, making the flowers much nicer. You can also see we’ve remodeled in here.

Trace: What do you think of the community of Banneker Homes?
Stella: I think the community is very nice, we have come a long way. I’ve been living here for over 25 years. You can see many things are different. We’ve been remodeling everything, the units, the grounds, for about 4-5 years now.


Stella: Oh yes, they are very caring, very warm community.

Interview with Board Member, Ms. Irene Jones, Vice President

Trace: As the Vice President of the Board, what are some of your goals for this upcoming year?
Irene: We have quite a few goals set. We are going to do some art work with the Seniors, and I hope to be teaching it. We hope to get a good start and really fill the place up and get people interested.

Trace: Do feel the community is open and friendly at Banneker Homes?
Irene: Oh yes I do.

Trace: Where are you originally from?
Irene: I’m from Ft. Worth, Texas.

Trace: Is there anything you’d like to say to the people of Banneker Homes for the website?
Irene: Well I would like to say to the people at Banneker and to the whole community we would like to have a real good start and get ahead on what we are trying to do here and get them interested in what we are trying to do.

Interview with Board Member, Rev. Houston Jackson, Past President

Trace: As the past President, do you feel that you accomplished the goals that you set as the President?
Rev. Jackson: Yes, and things are looking up and very good with our new President.

Trace: Do you feel that Banneker Homes community is a family, people who truly want to work together and help the community?
Rev. Jackson: Yes I do.

Trace: Do you have anything you want to say to the Banneker community?

Rev. Jackson: Well, yes. I just feel and hope that we can come together and make everything even more pleasant and bring up the attendance of everything.

Interview with Board Member, Mr. Raymond Wade, Assistant Social Chairman

Trace: As the Assistant Social Chairman, what are your duties?
Raymond: We like to come in ahead of time and get the place all set up, so if we are having a party, or going to a hotel for a business meeting, it’s our job to get there early. Get everything set up, food or tables, chairs, drinks, cups, plates anything that needs to be set up for events, parties or things of that nature.

Trace: How long have you lived here at Banneker Homes?
Raymond: I’ve lived here for (3) years now.

Trace: Do you like it here?
Raymond: I love it, I absolutely love it! I like the people here, everyone is very nice, they really are. I have a yard here, I’m fortunate. It’s very comfortable. The atmosphere here is really nice.

Trace: Do you feel that it’s a good community environment?
Raymond: Yes I do. We have a lot of programs for the children, we have a computer lab, we have other afternoon programs for the children. You notice the children playing in the yard, there is a real racial mix and that is really nice.

Interview with Board Member, Ms. Barbara Hornsby, Social Chairperson

Trace: As the Social Chairperson, what are your duties?
Barbara: To help set up before the meetings, supplying refreshments, and everything. I take of all the cards for birthdays, special holidays and things like that. And anything else the President would like to see done, that’s what we’re here for.

Trace: Where are you originally from?
Barbara: I was born in New Orleans but was moved here as a baby, so San Francisco is really my home.
 

Trace: What would you like to say to the community?
Barbara: There are so many wonderful resources and I don’t know if everyone is aware of that. There is so much out there for families, for seniors, for children. So, we really do have an extended family, we’ve got this village that is out there to support our community. It’s there, full of people willing to give and to help so we just need to remain supportive of each other and keep doing all of the wonderful things that happening in the Western Addition. And in the city [San Francisco], but especially in the Western Addition because there are so many wonderful things going on.

Interview with Board Member, Ms. Earnestine Brown-Davis, Secretary

Trace: How long have you been involved with Banneker Homes?
Earnestine: For about a year.

Trace: What do you do as the Secretary?
Earnestine: I take the minutes, make sure I bring the minutes from past meetings and I prepare the Agenda for each meeting.

Trace: What do you think of Banneker Homes as a community?
Earnestine: Oh, I think it’s such a positive place, it’s good for seniors and young people.

Trace: As the Secretary of the Board, do you have anything you’d like to say to the community?
Earnestine: Well, I’m happy to see the computer learning center get up and running, I think it will be a plus for the community.