Life & Work with Hank Stewart of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hank Stewart.

Hi Hank , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey started in 1991. I was a manager at UPS for the third shift. I came home that morning around seven o’clock, played around the house, washed and folded clothes, did the dishes, took a shower, and went to sleep.
I woke up around five in the evening, preparing to get ready to go back to work because I had an early meeting. I turned on the TV, and the news was talking about the Desert Storm war which was taking place at the time. Then the weather came on—it was a horrible day.
Now, I was a sports junkie. I loved football, basketball, baseball, soccer, hockey, race car driving, tennis, golf… I loved them all because I loved the strategies of sports. But that was the day it was announced that Magic Johnson was HIV positive.
Prior to that moment, I had never written anything. I had never written a single poem. But the very first poem I ever wrote came out almost like a plea. It was a piece called *”Can You Hear Me?”*
The poem goes:
> *Lord, there’s times when nothing is going right.*
> *Lord, there’s times I can’t find anything good to talk about.*
> *Lord, there’s times when I cry, and I wonder, do you hear me?*
> *Lord, there’s times I’m falling, and I wonder, did you see me?*
> *Can you hear me, Lord? Can you hear me?*
>
And then, very softly, He spoke to my heart about Calvary. This is what He said:
> *“Hey, do you know they slapped me across my face because I heard you cry?*
> *They pierced my side because I heard you cry.*
> *They spit on me because I heard your cry.*
> *I died on the cross because I heard your cry.*
> *But I rose on the third day because I heard your cry.*
> *Now my child, you have it all simple, because I heard you cry.”*
>
That was the first thing I ever wrote, and it was the beginning of my journey.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
This sounds crazy, but absolutely. It has been absolutely one of the smoothest paths that I’ve taken as far as my journey, and I think it’s because it is my purpose.
Myles Monroe once said that the greatest tragedy in life is not death, but the greatest tragedy in life is to live in life and not know why you live. Well, this is my purpose. I have a birthday on September 4th where I celebrate my life, but I celebrate my “purpose date” just as much.
It is as if God opened every single door I needed opened—from leaving UPS to all of the opportunities I’ve had since. I’ve had the opportunity to speak, to perform for Michelle Obama, and to do five McDonald’s commercials. I even won a GAABY Award.
Not one of those events or opportunities did I have to solicit for. Someone always came to me, or the doors just opened for me to perform. So it has been an amazing journey for me. I can’t look back at one day or one hour where the lights went out—well, maybe the lights went out, but not because I couldn’t pay the bill, I just forgot to pay it! It was never a struggle. And I know it’s because God put me right in my purpose.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Impacting Lives
Since our inception in August 2006, The Stewart Foundation has positively impacted the lives of well
over 40,000 young people. In addition to our core youth development programs, The Stewart Foundation
builds powerful partnerships that expand both our reach and our impact. We engage with local school
districts to provide Fall, Winter and Spring Break Enrichment programs to help middle schoolers gain the
skills and confidence to succeed in life as well as develop leadership qualities and a strong work ethic.
For nearly 20 years, we have sponsored Career Days at area high schools, opening doors of possibility for
students by connecting them with mentors and career pathways. Through close collaboration with the
DeKalb County Solicitor’s Office—as well as those in Henry, Clayton, Fulton and other metro counties—
and with local juvenile detention centers, we deliver prevention, intervention, and life-skills training that
redirect young lives toward brighter futures.
Our commitment also extends globally, supporting youth development programs and health clinics in
Guyana, where we address both educational and wellness needs in underserved communities. These
efforts reflect our core belief: that when we invest in young people—whether across the street or around
the world—we are building stronger, healthier communities for us all.
We invite you to become a part of The Stewart Foundation family. Your support will directly impact the
lives of young people in our community our state and around the world, empowering them to become the
leaders of tomorrow.
Our annual benefit affords us the opportunity to keep this work going. Please join us July 25, 2026 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis for Hank Stewart’s 25th Annual White Linen Affair. Tickets available via www.whitelinenaffaiir.net

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t think luck has ever played a role in my life. I think *purpose* played a role.
As I said, I was always where I needed to be, when I needed to be there, and I think that’s simply because of purpose. I look back over my life and every highlighted opportunity on my chronological resume, and it’s always because I was in the right place at the right time. I think that’s simply because God placed me in those positions. So I don’t think good luck or bad luck is the reason for my success. It was my purpose, and being in the place I needed to be for that purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.whitelinenaffair.net
• Instagram: @tsfoundation2
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheStewartFoundation