CHAIR

Hawah is an artist, author, educator, yoga instructor and community organizer.  He has dedicated his life to teaching about solutions to violence and ways to peace, and has traveled to over 28 countries in the past 10 years to facilitate interactive workshops, dialogues, perform poetry, teach yoga, and speak with those interested in creating a caring, sustainable, and equitable world.  In 1999, working as a community organizer and mentor, Hawah completed one year of service with AmeriCorps.  Then, while working with youth who were chained by their feet and ankles, he was exploring the roots of oppression.  In 2000, Hawah finished at American University with a degree in Peace and Educational Philosophy and co-founded One Common Unity, a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C.  In 2001, Hawah was the recipient of a Fellowship with the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial, and worked closely with the United Nations and The World Conference Against Racism & Discrimination.

In the years to follow, he directed the Peaceable Schools Program in D.C.’s largest public high school—specifically developing leadership skills of youth and assisting them in dealing with trauma through Alternatives to Violence, Conflict Resolution, Anger Management, Stress Reduction, Deep Breathing & Yoga classes. In addition to teaching regular classes, he developed and frequently trained youth in a unique Diversity Leadership Program—helping students celebrate their differences, become aware of their similarities, and grow through their empathy. 

In 2006 – 07, Hawah co-founded and directed an arts-based, interfaith peace and conflict resolution project to India-Kashmir-Pakistan known as ShantiSalaam.  This eight-week tour was a huge success, engaging young people across the border in dialogue about how to peacefully transform hostility between Muslims and Hindus living in the neighboring nations. 

Over the years, Hawah has trained thousands of teachers in the principles of peace education and regularly features as a speaker, performer and workshop presenter for People to People International, the Congressional Youth Leadership Council and the Children's Defense Fund's Freedom Schools.  He has made  appearances on XM National Satellite Radio, BBC, CNN & also been a guest speaker at Yale University, George Washington University, U.C.L.A., University of Colorado, Rollins College, Georgetown University, and Brown University.  A spoken word poet known as Everlutionary and an artist of a diverse collection of paintings and photographs, Hawah has authored three books, released two musical CD’s, and been the executive producer of two movies.   For more information about his life and work you can visit:  www.everlutionary.net.