Empowering Youth Through Leadership

Hans E. Hageman's story begins in the vibrant yet challenging neighborhoods of Harlem,

New York, where he grew up in tenements and housing projects. His transformative journey took root at "Exodus House," a pioneering residential drug treatment community founded by his father, where early lessons of courage and faith in human potential shaped his future.

A Princeton University and Columbia Law School alumnus, Hans initially carved his path in law, serving as a prosecutor, chief counsel to a U.S. Senate subcommittee, and public defender. His passion, however, lay in youth development and education. He boldly founded independent schools in Harlem, tackling the school-to-prison pipeline head-on, and co-founded a girls' school in Lucknow, India, for lower caste students, breaking barriers and creating opportunities.

Hans's leadership extends across continents, with a track record of nurturing creativity and resilience in underserved youth populations in the U.S. and Africa. Before his impactful move to Mississippi, he led Land to Learn, where he pioneered vegetable gardening and breathwork programs for incarcerated teen boys in maximum-security prisons, addressing both mental and physical wellness.

His visionary work has garnered numerous accolades, including the Robin Hood Foundation Heroes Award and the Essence Magazine Award. As a 2023 Yass Prize semifinalist, Hans was recognized for his innovative role at the Tutwiler Community Education Center in the Mississippi Delta. Currently, he co-directs the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute alongside Reena Evers-Everette, championing civil rights and social justice.

Hans's multifaceted career includes military service as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve and graduate of the 101st Airmobile’s Air Assault School. As a father of four and author of "Gamer Strong: Mental Toughness Training for Next Level PvP Skills," and "The Joyful Teacher Blueprint," he continually seeks to inspire and empower future generations. His ultimate aspiration is to become "An Ancestor Worth Remembering," leaving a legacy of hope, resilience, and positive change.