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Philadelphia Teacher Admits to Faking Black and Palestinian Heritage

Gann admitted she lied about being Black and Palestinian, and organizers said the false identity gave her access to youth and activists.

  • On Thursday, Philadelphia School District teacher Hannah Gann admitted she lied about her racial and family background for years after activist groups confronted her about her identity.
  • Research from the Philly Palestine Coalition revealed Gann's grandfather was born in Baltimore, not Palestine, and her relatives live in Israel, contradicting her long-standing claims.
  • Gann, a teacher at The Workshop School, had portrayed herself as Black and Palestinian while defending fellow teacher Keziah Ridgeway during district disciplinary proceedings over her pro-Palestinian activism.
  • The Racial Justice Organizing Committee and Philly Educators for Palestine permanently cut ties with Gann, describing the revelation as a "betrayal" in their joint statement.
  • Sharif El-Mekki, founder of the Center for Black Educator Development, criticized the deception, stating "honesty is the price of entry," while comparisons to Rachel Dolezal circulated online.
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  • 62% of the sources lean Right
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The Charlotte Observer broke the news in Charlotte, United States on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
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