Josh Banks has lived in Macomb County for 10 years and loves its diversity.
“In my opinion, Macomb County is a diverse county and there’s a plethora of diverse things here from businesses and shops to races and religions,” says Banks. “That’s one of the reasons I love raising my daughter here,” he says.
Banks lives in Macomb County with his wife, Alicia and his 8-year-old daughter Maison.
“I was born and raised on the east side of Detroit, but around 2012, my mom, sister and I decided to move to Clinton Township,” says Banks. “Outside of two years where I lived in Southfield, I’ve been in Clinton Township ever since.”
Not only does Banks live in Macomb County, he also works for Frito Lay, which is based in Sterling Heights. And, he is the head girls varsity basketball coach at Center Line High School.
“I chose to coach girls basketball because I have a daughter and I believe in women’s sports, especially basketball because it doesn’t get the attention it deserves,” says Banks. “There are talented women who love to play ball and sometimes they just need coaches who are willing to take on the challenge and be the change.”
Banks has been the head coach at Center Line for the past four years and prior to that was the head girls basketball coach at Lake Shore High School. He has been in different school environments in Macomb County and can attest to how good the schools are academically and athletically.
“I know many schools in Macomb County are ranked highly, mainly due to their academic standing,” he says. “Athletically, it has some of the best athletic programs in the state — football, basketball, swimming, wrestling, cheer; You name a sport, there’s a school that can compete on a state level in that sport.”
He also joined his daughter’s elementary school’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) this year and holds the vice president title.
“I’m enjoying the work and time spent in the school cultivating relationships with the faculty, as well as the children,” says Banks. “They think I’m pretty cool!”
He is the ultimate girl dad, and loves taking his daughter, Maison, to art class at The Art Shack in St. Clair Shores and to play at George George Memorial Park and Waldenburg Park.
“Maison’s favorite activity, though, in the community is trick-or-treating,” he says. “Our neighborhood doesn’t have a lot of participation, so since 2020, we’ve traveled to another neighborhood. She mentions how fun it is every year.”
His wife and daughter enjoy going to the movie theaters in Macomb County while he is at work. He also enjoys bowling at Imperial Lanes and takes the family there whenever he can.
“The community feel here in Macomb County is welcoming for the most part, especially during the holidays and big events like the Gratiot Cruise,” states Banks. “Those events always bring out the best in people and there seem to be very friendly people wherever I go.”
For more information on living and learning in Macomb County, visit Make Macomb Your Home. Find more articles like this at Metro Parent’s A Family Guide to Macomb County.
