Meet
Dr. Banks’ decades of experience allow her to help individuals and institutions in corporate spaces, Hollywood, Broadway, non-profits, K-12 schools, colleges, and communities. She is known for making complex and controversial topics accessible. She co-founded the Institute for Healing Justice and Equity at Saint Louis University, where she is a Professor of psychology and Director of Clinical Training. In the St. Louis region, Dr. Banks’ thinking helped shape racial equity initiatives as a consultant for the Ferguson Commission. Dr. Banks’ approaches her coaching and consulting work from a liberatory framework. She supports individuals in shedding unwanted narratives and moving in value-based ways. Dr. Banks works with productions to cultivate an inclusive climate. Her contributions to children’s programming through her work with Cartoon Network were recognized with a Webby. In addition to helping organizations integrate equity and inclusion into their work for long-term change, she also helps organizations authentically navigate publicity crises and current events. In addition to her consulting work, Dr. Banks has published over 20 articles in peer-reviewed outlets, including American Psychological Association journals such as American Psychologist, Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology, and Journal of Diversity in Higher Education. She has also contributed to The Harvard Business Review and popular media outlets like CNN, The Atlantic and The Guardian. Dr. Banks received her BA from Mount Holyoke College, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa and received her MA and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. Her podcast—The Kira Banks Show—helps its subscribers and organization leaders in their personal lives and in the workplace.
