ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Hasshan Batts examines the framed photograph on a wall in his Promise Neighborhoods office in Allentown. In it, a young boy of color stands alone in a darkened cellar.
The boy is surrounded — imprisoned? — by a floor and walls of stone. The boy lifts his eyes to a small window. Shafts of sunlight illuminate his face, offering hope, a way out. Around his neck hangs a red cape.
- Hasshan Batts, of Promise Neighborhoods, Allentown, has been named a Fulbright Specialist.
- He will travel to foreign countries to share his knowledge in violence prevention and health care.
- Batts will spend up to six weeks at each of the countries.
Batts was gifted the photo by photographer Charles J. Stonewall, an Easton native. It’s titled, “Harnessing the Power of Superman.”
“He heard my story and said it reminded him of me,” Batts said. “That there’s always a way out.”
Batts found his way — found his window — out of a past that included suffering childhood trauma, a fractured home life and three stints in prison.
He also found a way to turn his dark past into a bright future for others in the Lehigh Valley and beyond.
And for that, Batts has been chosen to the roster of Fulbright Specialists by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs.
Helping abroad
As executive director at Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, Batts and his staff have assisted countless individuals, families and organizations, helping communities improve through working with government, nonprofits and corporations to improve the lives of others.
Those successes now have earned him an opportunity to help others abroad through Fulbright Specialists.
The program pairs highly qualified U.S. academics and professionals with host institutions abroad to share their experience, strengthen institutional linkages, gain international experience and learn about other cultures while building capacity at their overseas host institutions.
Once abroad, Fulbright specialists partner with host institutions to conduct project activities in support of the institution’s priorities and goals.
“This is an exciting opportunity that recognizes our local, national, and global impact, and expands our work to other countries."Dr. Hasshan Batts, executive director, Promise Neighborhoods
“This is an exciting opportunity that recognizes our local, national, and global impact, and expands our work to over 150 countries with support from the State Department,” said Batts, who has doctorate degrees in Health and Science and clinical social work.
“These countries will bring me in as a consultant. I’ll be working in a country for between two and six weeks.”
'To improve everyone's lives'
Batts said he's awaiting notification of where he will be dispatched. He said he expects he will travel to two of three countries — Ghana, Gambia and Pakistan.
"I have to bring the talents from here to there to improve everyone’s lives. And also to bring what works there to here.”
“In Ghana, I’ll be doing a violence prevention program,” Batts said. “In Gambia, I’ll work with the University of The Gambia to do training with physicians. I work here with local health networks like Lehigh Valley Health Network and St. Luke’s. I was awarded a Robert Wood Johnson Culture of Health Prize.
"I’ve worked with people across the country about equity, experience, and moving the needle on health care in America.
“I have always believed in working locally, developing deep, rich connections with the community. But it would be enhanced if there was a regional, national and global perspective.
"I have to bring the talents from here to there to improve everyone’s lives. And also to bring what works there to here.”Hassan Batts, executive director of Promise Neighborhoods
"I have to bring the talents from here to there to improve everyone’s lives. And also to bring what works there to here.”
'You can change if you want to'
Batts said he was encouraged to apply for a Fulbright specialist by Lehigh Valley attorney Fred Rooney, who served as a Fulbright specialist in Pakistan and Bulgaria.
“Fred knew of my work globally and said there were opportunities to support my work globally,” Batts said.
He applied in December and was accepted in February.
“Momma loved me through my flaws,” he said. “She showed me love. Showed me you can change if you want to."Hasshan Batts, executive director of Promise Neighborhoods
“I had already done global work with the United Nations with refugees, and traveled to Geneva and Paris with Fred and a delegation that included members of a local mosque.”
Batts continues doing positive things in the Lehigh Valley and beyond. It is a quality he said his late mother saw in him even when he was racing wildly down the wrong paths.
“Momma loved me through my flaws,” he said. “She showed me love. Showed me you can change if you want to.
"I’m using my past to help others. My life experiences are my superpower.”
Minus the red cape.
