Frank Ballance graduated from W. S. Etheridge High School and earned both a bachelor's and a Juris Doctor degree from North Carolina Central University. He began his career in private legal practice and later transitioned into public service, being elected to the North Carolina state legislature and the North Carolina Senate. Ballance held significant leadership roles in the Senate and chaired the Guilford County chapter of the NAACP. Despite facing legal challenges and serving a prison sentence, he remained involved in public service through his appointments to university boards.

Frank Ballance's political career is marked by a complex blend of community leadership and legal troubles, suggesting a deeply localized approach to governance. His involvement with the NAACP and his legislative roles indicate a strong commitment to civil rights, yet his legal downfall complicates his public image. Ballance's ability to balance advocacy with legal pitfalls reveals a nuanced understanding of regional politics and identity. His later life and career choices prompt questions about the interplay between personal ethics and public service.