Everyone knows "Gammy." Adrienne Banfield-Norris is a fixture on Red Table Talk, showing off her incredible abs and her no-nonsense Baltimore attitude. But if you really want to understand the fire behind the Pinkett-Smith women, you have to look one generation further back.
Marion Martin Banfield. That is the name of the woman who actually laid the groundwork for Jada’s career. Honestly, without Marion, we might not even know who Jada Pinkett Smith is today. While Jada’s mother, Adrienne, was famously struggling with a heroin addiction during Jada’s youth—a topic they have explored with brutal honesty on their show—it was Marion who stepped into the gap. She wasn't just a "babysitter" grandma. She was the architect.
Who Was Marion Martin Banfield?
Marion wasn't your stereotypical "cookies and knitting" grandmother. She was a Jamaican-born social worker. Think about that for a second. In an era where many immigrant women were pushed into domestic labor, she was a professional navigating the complex social systems of Baltimore.
She was married to Gilbert Banfield, a family medicine physician. Together, they were the "epitome of the Black middle class," as Adrienne once told The New York Times. They lived in a well-respected home in the Pimlico/Arlington neighborhood of Baltimore.
Marion was a "doer." That's how Jada describes her. She didn't just want her granddaughter to stay out of trouble; she wanted her to be extraordinary.
The Woman Who Saw the Spark
Jada has often credited her grandmother for spotting her talent before anyone else did. Marion noticed Jada had a lot of energy and a clear passion for the performing arts. Most people would just say, "Oh, she’s a dramatic kid."
Marion did more.
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She put her money where her mouth was. She enrolled Jada in:
- Piano lessons
- Tap dance classes
- Ballet training
These weren't just hobbies. They were the foundation. Marion was the one who pushed for Jada to attend the Baltimore School for the Arts. This is the place where Jada famously met Tupac Shakur. If Marion hadn't valued that high-level arts education, Jada might have stayed in the neighborhood schools, and the trajectory of her life—and her friendship with 'Pac—would have looked very different.
The Controversial Lesson at Age Nine
If you’ve watched Red Table Talk, you might remember one specific episode that made headlines. It’s the kind of thing that makes people lean in or look away. Jada revealed that her grandmother taught her about "self-pleasuring" when she was only nine years old.
Yeah. Nine.
It sounds shocking to a lot of people. But Marion’s reasoning was incredibly specific. She didn't want Jada to grow up believing that her pleasure was something a man "gave" to her. She wanted Jada to understand that her body and her satisfaction belonged to her first.
Marion had been very strict with her own daughter, Adrienne. Adrienne recalls her mother telling her "boys are dirty" and "don't let them put their tongues in your mouth." It was a very negative, fear-based upbringing regarding sexuality. By the time Jada came along, Marion had clearly changed her philosophy. She wanted Jada to be empowered, not fearful.
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It was a radical move for a woman of that generation.
A Legacy of "Stiff Upper Lip"
While Marion was the one who provided the stability and the lessons, she also passed down a certain emotional toughness. Jada has spoken about how "cuddling" wasn't really a thing in their house.
Affection was earned or shown through "doing," not necessarily through hugging.
Adrienne (Gammy) once admitted on the show that she never really cuddled with Jada growing up. They knew they were loved, but the physical touch wasn't there. It’s a common trait in high-achieving, immigrant-led households where survival and success are the priorities.
You see that same "toughness" in Jada today. She is stoic. She is disciplined. She's a "soldier," as she often calls herself. That comes straight from Marion Martin Banfield's influence.
Why This Matters Today
When people talk about Jada Pinkett Smith grandmother, they often look for scandal. But the real story is about the "Middle-Class Black Excellence" that existed in Baltimore long before Jada was a star.
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Marion was a social worker. Gilbert was a doctor. They were community pillars.
This family history adds a layer of complexity to Jada’s story. She wasn't just a kid from the streets who "made it." She was a girl from a legacy of professional, educated Caribbean-Americans who were hit hard by the drug epidemic of the 80s (via her parents) but saved by the stability of the generation before.
How to Apply the "Marion Method" to Your Life
If you’re looking at Marion’s life as a blueprint, here are a few takeaways that aren't just celebrity gossip:
- Invest in the "Spark": If you see a child with a natural leaning toward a skill, don't wait. Marion got Jada into ballet and piano early. Exposure is the greatest gift.
- Empowerment over Fear: Marion’s lesson on self-reliance (even the controversial ones) was about ensuring Jada didn't look for validation outside of herself.
- Stability is a Choice: Even when her own daughter was struggling with addiction, Marion provided a "home base." She kept the family's standards high.
Marion Martin Banfield passed away years ago, but her influence is literally the reason we have the Pinkett-Smith dynasty. She was the one who saw a little girl in Baltimore and decided she was going to be a queen.
Next time you see Jada or Willow performing, remember the Jamaican social worker who wouldn't let her granddaughter be anything less than great.
Actionable Insight: Look at the "Marion" in your own family tree. Who was the person two generations back who made a specific sacrifice or investment that allowed you to be where you are? Write that story down. Legacy isn't just about money; it's about the standard of excellence someone else set for you before you were old enough to set it for yourself.