Philadelphia teacher and activist admits to lying about race, heritage

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Philadelphia teacher and community advocate Hannah Gann is publicly apologizing after admitting she misrepresented her racial and ethnic background.

In an online video, Gann, a teacher at The Workshop School, acknowledged she had not been truthful about her identity.

“I hid the truth or outright lied about my background to everyone in my life,” she said.

Gann, who is white and of Jewish descent, had previously claimed to be Tunisian and Palestinian. She was active in Racial Justice Philly and Philly Teachers for Palestine, where she was outspoken in her advocacy.

Racial Justice Philly issued a statement saying, in part, “Black and Palestinian identities, grief, and genocide are not identities or experiences that anyone has the right to appropriate for credibility, access, or belonging. No one’s identity precludes them from working in solidarity, and Hannah could’ve easily been an invaluable ally to these communities without lying about who she was.”

Ahmet Tekelioglu, executive director of CAIR Philadelphia, said he hopes the situation refocuses attention on the issues at the center of their work.

“Hopefully this is going to bring more attention to the underlying principles,” he said.

Tekelioglu added that young people affected by the situation should remain a priority.

“The group or the cohort that I feel needs the most support is the students,” he said.

Action News has learned Gann is no longer working with students.

The School District of Philadelphia declined to comment on personnel matters but said it is offering additional support to students and staff at The Workshop School.