The Full Story

I am Hawa Who

A model, a storyteller, and a soul unafraid of stillness.

I was born in Ghana, raised in New York City, and now rooted in Pittsburgh — but I live beyond borders. In every corner of my work, I carry heritage, softness, and strength. From runways to bookstores, from poetry readings to global platforms, I show up as myself: unbothered, intentional, and unforgettable.

A Life in Motion

Before the books and the campaigns, I was a quiet girl watching the world — listening more than I spoke, observing beauty in contrast. That perspective became my superpower. It shaped my eye as a model, my voice as a writer, and my presence as a speaker.

Whether I’m walking for brands like Zara, being featured in Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar, or performing spoken word, I lead with presence. I treat style as language. I turn silence into story.

Why “Hawa Who”?

Because the question is the answer.

My name holds layers — legacy, mystery, softness, strength. "Who" is both a whisper and a challenge. It’s an invitation to see me, to feel, to listen.

I'm not here to be defined. I'm here to express.

The Author

I self-published my debut poetry book, Petals of My Heart, as an act of healing — and it became a tool for others to do the same.
I recently released my second collection, You’re A Lover Girl, a soft, raw tribute to the feminine experience: desire, heartbreak, becoming. My writing is layered. Intimate. Unapologetically mine.

These books aren’t just pages. They are portals. And I invite you into them.

The Speaker

As a speaker and spoken word artist, I share stories that stay. I speak on:

Healing through softness
The power of identity
Being a first-gen African woman navigating the in-between
Creative entrepreneurship, modeling, and self-publishing

My dream is to stand on a TEDx stage. But I treat every mic like it’s one.

THE CREATIVE DIRECTOR

I also run Hawa Who Shop — a fashion brand inspired by Casablanca, Pucci, and the poetry of the everyday. Every piece is designed to be worn with feeling. Graphic tees. Cropped tanks. Hoodies that say something. Style for the unbothered, the bold, the beautiful.

This is more than fashion. It’s a language of comfort and cool.