Isabella Hanson

Position
2022 - PENNSYLVANIA (PHILADELPHIA REGION)
Bio/Description

Isabella Hanson is a junior at Kennett High School in Pennsylvania. At the age of 14, Isabella was inspired to launch a national poetry competition on why Black Lives Matter. Powered by Gucci, Isabella's "I Matter" poetry contest has grown to draw participation from students in 42 states and over 30 countries. With players from the NBA and the NFL serving as the judges, the top poems and art are made into a compilation book to promote social justice and equality. The "I Matter" project followed her 2020 Juneteenth Celebration, which she hosted to bring racial healing to the community at the historic Fussell House — a site which helped lead over 2,000 slaves to freedom. Her 2021 Juneteenth Celebration was held at the nation's first historically Black college: Cheyney University. Isabella holds leadership roles in her school's Model United Nations, Diversity and Feminist Clubs. She is a member of her school’s track team and the Humanitarian Club. Isabella enjoys writing poetry and is a member of the Live Like Blaine Leadership Academy. For almost a year, Isabella has served as an advisor for Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation. In February 2022, Isabella was one of 25 students selected nationally for Prudential Financial's inaugural class of Emerging Visionaries. Isabella has also won over 20 grant awards for her work and has been featured on Nickelodeon's Kid of the Year program, as well as in Forbes Magazine and Medium.com.