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Kira Banks co-founded the Institute for Healing Justice and Equity at Saint Louis University, where she is a Professor in the Department of Psychology. She also served as a racial equity consultant for the Ferguson Commission and continued as the Racial Equity Catalyst for Forward Through Ferguson. Her research, teaching, and facilitation around equity, diversity, and inclusion have helped frame racial equity in the St. Louis region and beyond.

In addition, Banks has published over 20 articles in peer-reviewed outlets. She has also contributed to The Harvard Business Review and popular media outlets like The Atlantic and The Guardian. Banks received her B.A. from Mount Holyoke College, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa, and her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.

Today, Banks has a podcast — Raising Equity — to support adults in talking to kids about systems of oppression. She is also co-principal of The Mouse and the Elephant, which develops customized curriculum to meet organizations’ long-term needs.