Hannah Faith Michaels

Hannah Faith Michaels is a local titleholder, published author, nonprofit founder, and student-athlete who turned her own struggles as a student into a statewide movement for mentorship and equal access to opportunity. Growing up, she worked hard but felt overlooked in the classroom, only to later discover her undiagnosed ADHD. Mentorship and scholarships became her lifeline — the tools that allowed her to transform from a struggling student into an honor scholar, double major, athlete, and author.

Her perspective deepened when she became a dance teacher and mentor in Florida, guiding young girls who reminded her of herself — full of potential but often without the support systems they needed. She saw firsthand that schools in many communities lacked programs that could connect students to mentorship, scholarships, and confidence-building opportunities. Out of that need, she founded Be The One Mentoring, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to inclusion, accessibility, and leadership development through its signature program, W.I.S.E. (Women Investing in Successful Education).

Since its founding, Be The One has reached across schools, community programs, and youth organizations, even expanding into Best Buddies of South Florida to ensure inclusive mentorship opportunities for all. Hannah has also taken her mission beyond Florida classrooms, advocating for mentorship on Capitol Hill and building partnerships that open doors for youth to succeed.

As a three-time local titleholder — Miss Fort Lauderdale 2023, Miss South Florida Fair 2024, and Miss South Florida 2025 — Hannah has completed over 150 appearances and 5,000 hours of service, raising awareness and inspiring thousands across Florida. She is also the author of The Sky is Not the Limit and the upcoming children’s book Dancers Don’t Talk, both created to spark early conversations about confidence, leadership, and finding your voice.

Her journey — from a student searching for answers, to a teacher mentoring the next generation, to a statewide advocate — is proof that when one person shows up, entire lives can change. And through Be The One, she is determined to ensure that every girl has someone who believes in her first.