The Banks family collection consists of papers from long-time Kansas City residents Wade B. Banks, Jr., his wife Blanche, and their family. Most of the collection focuses on Blanche's involvement in the First African Methodist Episcopal Church (FAME), research into family geneology, work as principal of Shawnee Mission North High School, correspondence, speeches, reference material, and papers concerning civil rights in the United States.

The collection contains a trove of information regarding Corinne Patterson's lineage and research into her genealogy. Some correspondence materials are also in the collection, as are some booklets and photographs.