A masterclass in social justice: in conversation with Hannah Litt

How can organisations keep focused on justice in these troubled times? Do the damn thing! That was our big takeaway from our interview with changemaker, activist, and advocate, Hannah Litt. It was a masterclass in how brands can take action to truly tackle injustice and build a fairer and more equitable world – with practical lessons for anyone serious about (or even just interested in) social justice.

Last year, we observed a “silent exit” as brands quietly retreated from the anti-racism and equity promises they made in recent years. And in 2025, we’re only in January, yet US President Trump is blaming DEI for everything from aeroplane crashes to government failures, giving global brands even more reason to pull away from equity and justice. However, at Brand By Me, we know that there’s always hope and that brands serious about justice won’t stop doing the work when the going gets tough. So our founder, Collette Philip, spoke to the amazing anti-racism and social justice activist Hannah Litt to gain wisdom and learning for brands and individuals alike. Her activism and advocacy are intersectional, consistent, and powerful, and she’s a strong reminder of the power we all have to make a difference.

Collette: Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hannah: I am a social justice advocate focused on decolonisation, anti-racism, and equity. I’ve had a long career spanning automotive, recruitment, and HR – a bit of everything, really – before moving into D&I, and now I've set up on my own. I’ve really tried to incorporate all parts of myself into this, in terms of my activism. Many organisations don’t really allow you to bring your whole self to work. They might say you can, but there are limits. The world is changing, and we are changing too. For me, it’s really about alignment. A friend of mine told me, “You’ve always been ahead. You’ve always had great intuition.” She encouraged me to just sit back, saying, “Soon, the world will catch up.”

Collette: That’s a really lovely lesson. I’ve found we have permission to do that when we run our own thing. You broke out on your own last year, right? This gives you so many more opportunities to truly do what you want.

Hannah: And you know what? It gave me the courage to just say, “Try it!” If it doesn't work, okay, let’s try something else. What are people going to respond to? But fundamentally, I know what I’m supposed to do.

Collette: I absolutely love that. If you had to sum up your purpose in a sentence or two, what would you say?

Hannah: In 2022, I tweeted, “I’m going to change the world,” but added, “I don’t know how, but I know that I am.” I realised that even if I can change the world for just five people, that’s enough. My website states: “Changing the world one person at a time.” It’s about providing organisations and individuals with a safe space, offering empathy, and in turn, they will do the same. It’s a domino effect.

Collette: I love that, and I’m with you on this. I don’t like the word "empower." Instead, I prefer "equip" because it assumes that the people we’re talking about don’t have power, and they do. Everyone has power; it’s about helping them recognise it.

Hannah: Exactly. I started a community by accident because people said they had nowhere to go, so I created a WhatsApp group. After what happened on October 7, I made a space where people could cry, shout, scream—whatever they needed. Many people did cry, but I didn’t. I held that space for them. After about two to three months, I saw the way they came together. I provided them with information about Palestine and how they could mobilise. They stepped up so beautifully. They organised campaigns, and one person even created their own community. It all started with me assuring them, “If anyone comes for you, I’m coming for them.” Knowing they weren’t alone allowed them to step into their power. It was a paradigm shift.

Collette: Where did your fire for justice come from?

Hannah: I grew up in Northampton. I was the only child with any melanation in my skin in my whole school. I have a diagnosis of ADHD now, but at the time, I didn’t know that. There was a real disconnect; my mum would always put me in my loveliest Indian outfit for Picture Day, while I was just trying to blend in. I faced my first experience of overt racism at five. The school wasn’t equipped to handle it; they treated me differently, really nicely, but I just wanted to be treated normally. I got to a point where I had a lot of self-hatred. I remember trying to rub my skin off when I was five. When I was 13, I lost my aunt to medical inequity, and that was really the turning point for me. That’s when I started to understand that these issues are systemic.

Collette: Thank you for sharing your experience so openly. Many hold onto the status of being “the only” as a badge of pride – I love that you’ve used it to fuel your fire for change.

One final question, with two levels to it: What advice would you give to an individual who's blocked by fear to help them start taking action? And the same for an organisational brand?

Hannah: I still feel the fear. But I think about whether my fear is comparable to what we're seeing in the world. Some language is weaponised to silence people. I’ve had social media accounts taken away. I don’t care about hurt feelings when we’re facing genocide. If I offend you respectfully, you can get over it. Leaders stay silent out of fear and uphold systemic harm. Instead, they just need to do the damn thing.

Collette’s Key Takeaways from Her Interview with Hannah

• Remember your power (because we all have it).
• Find communities and mobilise around shared values of bravery and courage.
• Don’t let fear silence you – when it comes to speaking up about injustice, do the damn thing!

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You can find out more about Hannah Litt and her work on LinkedIn (definitely follow her) or via her website.

Are you a brand or leader ready to do the damn thing and tackle injustice? We can help. Get in touch!‍

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