Renata A. Hannans

Renata A. Hannans, nationally known as “The Hope Dealer”, is a Jacksonville native who earned her B.S. in Social Science from Jacksonville University. Renata's niche for criminal law was discovered at an early age, immediately stemming from her recollection of sitting in on her first trial as a public observer. As a former Case Manager, she was tasked with the responsibilities of guiding at-risk high school students during the pivotal moments of their adolescent years.

Since publishing her first book, P.S. Never Give Up Hope, in 2013 she has founded an advocacy organization, P.S. Never Give Up Hope, Inc., focused on reducing recidivism and promoting literacy. Passionate about inspiring youth to strive for their best, Renata enlisted two professional counselors, Yolanda Webster and Shantizia “Nikki” Figgs, to join with her in weekly visits with incarcerated women in the Duval Regional Detention Facility and with teens adjudicated as adults in the Duval County Jail. There, Renata and her associates engage in guided meditation and reality therapy, as well as reading and discussing books that are diverse and all-inclusive to bridge the gap between illiteracy and incarceration for youth charged as adults.

Three years ago, Renata partnered with the Honorable Judge Suzanne Bass to create a library in the courthouse where children read a book and write a report in lieu of community service.

“If you get lost in the pages of a book, you can go anywhere… There is peace in the pages of a book”, she says.

Holding steadfast to her commitment to sharing stories of those who often don’t have a voice behind bars, her second book, I’m Here For The Girls, focuses on the theme of how men play a role in female incarceration.

Renata has been recognized with several awards for her activist work and community leadership, including but not limited to: READ USA’s 2020 recipient of the READ TO HEAL Award, the United Way of Northeast Florida’s Sherwood Smith Children’s Champion Award and in 2016, she was chosen as a Florida Black Pages Top 20 under 40.

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I'M HERE FOR THE GIRLS

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After 7 years of divine timing, “The Hope Dealer” Renata A. Hannans presents the followup to her acclaimed debut, P.S. Never Give Up Hope. I’m Here For The Girls chronicles the lives of 11 women and how men played a role in their incarceration.

Traumatic experiences, including addiction, domestic violence, sexual abuse, loyal commitment to young love and devastating, accidental circumstances are all explained throughout the poignant pages.

These daughters—mothers—wives lay their hearts on the line while sharing how they repeatedly, or unexpectedly, ended up behind bars. Through self-reflection via their own words, each chapter pieces together true details about the girls who deserve to tell their own stories

Foreword by Jamila T. Davis

Featured poem by Tiara "Mizhani" Walton

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Meet "Team Hope"

Yolanda Webster is a Jacksonville Native with a social work background. Yolanda has worked with at risk youth for over 20 years in various capacities. Yolanda is a certified Yoga instructor and founder of Breathe With Nana. She uses guided meditation and yoga to help young people cope with past trauma and bring them peace in the midst of chaos.

Shantizia Figgs (Nikki) is a therapist and holds a M.S. in Social work from Florida State University. Currently in her work she provides therapy to female youth who have been in the juvenile justice system. Nikki believes wholeheartedly in the importance of mental health treatment specifically for black and brown youth. She wants young people to know that their traumatic experiences do not define their future.

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