Quay Hanna has been speaking to students, teachers, and businesses about the dangers of racism and bullying for over 17 years.
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Quay Hanna
Quay Hanna has been speaking to students, teachers, and businesses about the dangers of racism and bullying for over 17 years
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Quay Hanna has been speaking to students, teachers, and businesses about the dangers of racism and bullying for over 17 years. A former self-proclaimed racist, Quay’s story of traveling the country in a greyhound bus to confront his own prejudiced beliefs has educated and inspired thousands over the last two decades.
Quay’s programs are extremely effective for organizations looking to be proactive towards student relations or for those organizations currently struggling with issues of racism, prejudice, and hatred. His proven track record shows that his participation in your school or organization will help put it on the path towards reconciliation.
In 1993, Quay set out on a mission. After graduating from Bloomsburg University (PA) with a B.A. in English, he left his small town of Strasburg, PA to see America. He hopped on a Greyhound bus and began traversing the country.
Nine weeks, thirty-seven states, and twelve-thousand miles later, he got more than an incredible journey and hundreds of stories to tell. As he traveled he was forced to confront his own racist and prejudiced beliefs, making him realize that he had more to offer the world than his lifelong hatred of others. Upon his return to Strasburg he had a new objective: to reach out to his subculture- rural, white America – and to challenge racist beliefs as his were challenged on the trip.
In 1997 Quay published a book about his life-changing experience entitled, Bus America: Revelation of a Redneck and began telling his story to audiences around the country. More than a decade later, he is still entertaining and educating students on a daily basis. It is just a man in his t-shirt and blue jeans with a microphone.
No multimedia. No magic tricks. No stand-up routine. Quay presents in a simple and honest way that has caused hundreds of thousands of students to take an introspective look at their lives.
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Testimonials
I just wanted to tell you that your presentation was, without a doubt, the best Inservice presentation I’ve seen in the 15 yrs that I have worked there!”
Mr. Quay Hanna was invaluable to our school district. His unique insight into the factors that contribute to biased and prejudicial attitudes was a powerful asset in our efforts to combat racism. Quay was extremely responsive to the needs of our students; because of his efforts, we witnessed a positive change in our school culture.
From the minute Quay starts his presentation until he is finished, he has the audience in the palm of his hand. His presentation is powerful, engaging, and humorous and relates extremely well to all age groups. We have had Quay speak in our building each of the last two school years and both times he has delivered a speech that comes from his heart and has a purpose. I would strongly recommend Quay Hanna to any school.
Your approach with the students and staff at Dover has been thought provoking, honest, caring, and direct allowing each person to reflect and truly develop their own understanding of others. I truly thank you for your time and commitment to the entire school district.
I recently realized I was becoming somewhat of a racist myself, and that everyday people around me had started to label me as well. Honestly Quay, I never took the time to realize that until you came to my school and opened my eyes and made me realize that’s not the kind of person I wanna be and that’s not the kind of person I should be. I just really wanted to thank you so much for coming to my school and for opening my eyes and making me realize that the way I was living my life was not right. Thank you for changing my life and for changing the way I view other people’s lives too and getting my life back on track again. You’re the best, Quay! I can’t ever thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me and my school.
Topics
Topics
College
Colleges are an ideal setting for the speaker once referred to as a “philosopher in blue jeans.” Quay’s distinct brand of communication keeps college audiences completely engrossed as he offers more than just the usual polarizing rhetoric of division and channels them toward thoughtful reflection.
Quay offers a unique perspective on racism, prejudice, and hatred in society. His insight stems not only from a formal education (B.A. in English, Bloomsburg University, PA), but also from worldwide travel to all 50 states, 27 countries, and 5 continents. His specific interactions with blue-collar America during his fifteen years of labor in the areas of landscaping, construction, and farming also contribute to to the unique perspective he brings.
This blend of knowledge and experience helps him connect with every member of the audience as he challenges these young men and women to examine their lives.
High School
Quay Hanna is unlike any other high school speaker you have had over the years.
Despite his simple appearance, Quay brings a profound message of respect to the student population. Through the personal change he has made concerning his previously racist views, he encourages students to examine their own views and to challenge their own prejudices.
Students are immediately drawn to him before he ever says a word as his t-shirt, blue jeans, and tattoos imply that this assembly will be something out of the ordinary. After this initial connection, the students are even more pleased to learn that this is a presenter who speaks their language and understands their world. Quay’s unique blend of charisma, honesty, and humor keeps students engaged from the first to the last word that comes out of his mouth.
Middle School
Quay Hanna has experienced a lot when it comes to both sides of the bullying issue.
As a middle school “dork,” Quay was picked on because of his looks, his personality, and his socioeconomic status. His daily struggle of going to school knowing he would be harassed is one with which current students will relate to.
In high school, Quay’s athleticism helped him flip the script and get in with the popular crowd. A great athlete, Quay became the one who harassed and belittled his fellow students. Referred to as “the meanest student in school” by a former classmate, Quay took out his previous frustrations on the weak and vulnerable in the student body.
Quay uses these experiences to offer perspective for both students getting bullied and those who do the bullying. His programs have proven effective in offering coping techniques to the harassed, but also in causing the bullies to think about the consequences of their actions. His funny, yet challenging, presentation will leave your middle school students thinking about the words they say and the things they do.
Teacher In-Service
Quay uses the knowledge he has gained over the years as a student relations specialist to offer insight into the lives of those who become involved in hatred, prejudice, and violence. Working in this capacity in more than a dozen schools, Quay has had the opportunity to interact and counsel with members of every ethnic group and every school subculture, ultimately helping districts respond to serious tensions.
There are often concrete reasons why students choose to hate, and Quay’s insight offers teachers and administrators the opportunity for early intervention. He also speaks more broadly on why we don’t get along as humans and what steps we can take to bring peace to our schools, workforce, and community, including practical applications to help them work with their students – and each other – as the year progresses.
Keynotes and Workshops
Quay has something to offer at almost every type of conference, event, and gathering. Not only can he cater a presentation to any particular audience or topic, but he also offers workshops that address issues on a more intricate level.
His primary keynote addresses the issue of understanding and respect in society. He tells his own story of change in these areas, and how he has used the mistakes of his past to encourage today’s youth to make better choices and decisions. His focus is on true tolerance, which means that people can disagree – even consider each other wrong – yet offer kindness and respect in their dissenting views.
Quay can also examine other topics of interest for breakout sessions. His expertise on human relations offers every audience the opportunity to find practical and applicable information to begin transformation of their communities.
Videos
Videos
Quay on CNN
Comcast Tonight
Books
News
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