Hasshan Batts
Former Executive Director, Promise Neighborhoods LV
Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley
Dr. Hasshan Batts is a community epidemiologist, published researcher, and co-founder of the Watson-Batts School of Construction, best known for serving as Executive Director of Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley from 2017 to Spring 2025, where he grew the organization from three staff members to a regional nonprofit of approximately 40 staff with a multimillion-dollar budget focused on anti-gun violence, racial justice, and health equity. Drawing on his own experience as a prison survivor following drug-related felony convictions, Batts built Promise Neighborhoods into one of the Lehigh Valley's most prominent nonprofits, securing several million-dollar national healthcare grants and contributing to a citywide reduction in violent crime in Allentown. He has served in numerous professional roles including Clinical Supervisor at the Youth Services Agency of Pennsylvania, Director of Children's Services at NHS Human Services, and Adjunct Professor at Lincoln, Lehigh, and Lenoir Rhyne Universities. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences from Gardner-Webb University, a joint Master's in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and North Carolina A&T University, and a Doctorate in Health Sciences with a Global Health concentration from Nova Southeastern University.
Timeline
Hasshan Batts left his position as Executive Director of Promise Neighborhoods to dedicate his efforts to the Watson-Batts School of Construction.
Hasshan Batts began serving as senior advisor to Jeani Garcia as she transitioned into the executive director role at Promise Neighborhoods in April 2025.
Hasshan Batts and Jeani Garcia stood with Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk at a January news conference announcing a 35-year low in homicide rates in 2024, with Tuerk crediting Promise Neighborhoods' efforts.
Hasshan Batts, Executive Director of Promise Neighborhoods, commented on charges filed in the August 2022 homicide of Najeer Lane, advocating for more youth outlets to prevent future gun violence.
Hasshan Batts collaborated with Allentown School District and Community Action of the Lehigh Valley to open the Promise Food Access and Wellness Center at General Hays Elementary School to address food apartheid.
Hasshan Batts was appointed commissioner on the Pennsylvania Governor's African-American Affairs Commission and became co-chair of the Gun Violence Committee at the state level.
Dr. Hasshan Batts appeared as a guest on PBS39's 'Courageous Conversations' discussing activism in the Lehigh Valley, focusing on race, diversity, and his community work.
Hasshan Batts's work through Promise Neighborhoods was published in leading international journals and an upcoming anthology, contributing to knowledge through research, advocacy, and policy.
Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, led by Hasshan Batts, received two highly competitive national health care grants recognizing their work around decolonizing health care.
Hasshan Batts led Promise Neighborhoods to open Promise Land, an organic farm in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank, to support neighbors in healing.
Following George Floyd's death and Black Lives Matter protests, Hasshan Batts emphasized the urgent need for actionable structural changes to address racism and inequality, stressing acknowledgment and atonement.
Hasshan Batts led Promise Neighborhoods to launch a web series on health equity providing a platform for clinicians to hear directly from people of color about racial disparities in healthcare.
Hasshan Batts organized COVID-19 information and relief efforts for Allentown neighborhoods experiencing high infection and death rates, leading Promise Neighborhoods to pivot from violence prevention to pandemic response.
Hasshan Batts received a $150,000 grant intended to help stop youth violence.
Hasshan Batts and members of Promise Neighborhoods met with developer J.B. Reilly to discuss community needs and how redevelopment efforts could be more inclusive and create opportunities for local residents.
Dr. Hasshan Batts was appointed Director of Operations for Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley to develop cross-sector relationships, plan fundraising events, and implement programs.
Hasshan Batts was released from prison after serving five years, during which he obtained additional degrees.
Hasshan Batts was arrested on drug charges in 2007 after a raid on his home revealed 5 kilograms of cocaine, two bales of marijuana, six loaded guns, and $50,000. This marked his last arrest following a history beginning at age 11.
Facts
- • Resurrected Community Development Corporation
- • Penn State Extension
- • Society for the Healing and Study of Historical Trauma
- • Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Reentry Council
- • Lehigh Valley Justice Institute
- • Governor's Commission on African-American Affairs
- • Northeast Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Association of Black Social Workers
- • Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences, Gardner-Web University
- • Master of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Greensboro and North Carolina A&T University
- • Doctorate in Health Sciences with a Global Health concentration, Nova Southeastern University in Florida
- • Trauma-informed care
- • restorative practices
- • reentry
- • equity
- • program development
- • strategic planning
- • healthcare
- • community development
- • violence prevention
- • racial justice
- • health equity
- • community capacity building
- • community engagement
Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley
- • Director of Children's Services, NHS Human Services
- • Clinical Supervisor, Youth Services Agency of Pennsylvania
- • Adjunct Professor, Graduate School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Lincoln University
- • Member of the management team, Neighborhood Health Centers of the Lehigh Valley
- • Consultant, Practitioners Research and Scholarship Institute
- • Rider-Pool Collective Impact fellow
- • Adjunct Professor, Lenoir Rhyne University
- • Adjunct Professor, Lehigh University
Allentown, PA
Executive Director
2007
Connections
Allentown Mayor who praised Promise Neighborhoods Lehigh Valley for its efforts to combat violence and stood with Hasshan Batts at a January 2025 news conference.
Josh Siegel provided information that Hasshan Batts used to dox the mayor.
Succeeded Hasshan Batts as executive director of Promise Neighborhoods Lehigh Valley on April 1, 2025, and was previously the organization's director of operations, having been chosen by Batts as his successor.
Hasshan Batts prepared Jeani Garcia to be his successor at Promise Neighborhoods for five years before his exit, and he has served as her mentor and senior advisor.
Maintained her vote for Batts through 12 rounds in an act of solidarity during his interview for interim mayor of Allentown in April 2018.
Dr. Yamil Sanchez Rivera was the first Executive Director of Promise Neighborhoods, a role Hasshan Batts later filled.
Works as center coordinator and certified community health worker at the Promise Food and Wellness Center, a collaborative project where Hasshan Batts serves as director of Promise Neighborhoods, a key partner.
Serves as a member of the mental health outreach team for the Promise Food and Wellness Center, which Hasshan Batts' organization, Promise Neighborhoods, helped establish and operates.
Was a former staff member at the Promise Food and Wellness Center, which Hasshan Batts' organization, Promise Neighborhoods, helped establish and operates.
Hasshan Batts is the Executive Director of Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, where Zaleeae Sierra serves as the youth director and is trusted by Batts to manage both her roles at the nonprofit and as a school director.
Shakeif McNear is a mentee and volunteer at Promise Neighborhoods, whom Hasshan Batts actively includes in meetings with other nonprofit leaders and politicians to develop his leadership potential.
Evelin Disla works in outreach at Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, the same organization where Hasshan Batts is executive director.
Pas Simpson runs the Zero Youth Violence program for Promise Neighborhoods, working closely with Hasshan Batts on strategies to disrupt violence within the community.
Colleague and friend who considers Batts to have made a significant impact on his life and on the city of Allentown.
Interviewed Hasshan Batts on the 'Courageous Conversations' program, where they discussed activism in the Lehigh Valley.
Provided information for the article as a representative of Blabbermouth Communications, a public relations firm.
Recognized by Hasshan Batts as one of the 'greats' in the Lehigh Valley community for her work.
Recognized by Hasshan Batts as one of the 'greats' in the Lehigh Valley community for her work.
Hasshan Batts and Stephen W. Stoeffler are academic collaborators who have co-authored multiple articles, including one focused on engagement suppression.
from 2 sourcesDr. Sirry Alang is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and resident researcher who co-authors and collaborates professionally with Hasshan Batts at Lehigh University and Promise Neighborhoods.
from 2 sourcesRev. Gregory Edwards is the current Chairman of the Promise Neighborhoods board, where Hasshan Batts serves as Executive Director.
Alan Jennings, Executive Director of CACLV, is compared to Hasshan Batts for using similar "shakedown" tactics to acquire money.
J.B. Reilly, President of City Center Investment Corp., partnered with Hasshan Batts and Promise Neighborhoods to develop the Real Estate Laboratory and to include community members in redevelopment conversations.
As director of Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, Hasshan Batts commented on the Allentown School Board's decision regarding complaints filed by staff from his organization against School Director Phoebe Harris.