Author Archives

hannahdrake628

Hannah L Drake is a blogger, activist, public speaker, poet, and author of 11 books. She writes commentary on politics, feminism, and race and her work has been featured online at Cosmopolitan, The Bitter Southerner, Harper’s Bazaar and Revolt TV. In 2019 during Super Bowl Sunday, Hannah’s poem, "All You Had To Do Was Play The Game, Boy," which addresses the protest by Colin Kaepernick, was shared by film writer, producer and director Ava DuVernay, and then shared by Kaepernick. The poem has been viewed more than two million times.

Hannah’s commentary on life and challenging others to dream bigger have been recognized by First Lady Michelle Obama. Hannah Drake was featured on the Tom Joyner Morning Show with Jacque Reid to discuss her international movement, Do Not Move Off the Sidewalk, which addresses the power of holding your space. Hannah was selected by the Muhammad Ali Center to be a Daughter of Greatness which features prominent women engaged in social philanthropy, activism, and pursuits of justice. Hannah was selected as one of the Best of the Best in Louisville, Kentucky for her poem Spaces and recently was honored as a Kentucky Colonel, the highest title of honor bestowed by the Kentucky Governor recognizing an individual’s noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to community, state, and nation. Labeled as a change agent, Hannah’s message is thought-provoking and at times challenging, but Hannah believes that it is in the uncomfortable spaces that change can take place. “My sole purpose in writing and speaking is not that I entertain you. I am trying to shake a nation.”

STFU Meghan! Thank You, Whoopi!

On an episode of The View, Sunny Hostin was speaking about the hypocrisy of Republicans to impeach a president for perjury yet refuse to impeach Trump for clearly attempting to conspire with a foreign government for his gain. Meghan-My-Dad-Was-John-McCain didn’t listen to the totality of what Sunny was […]

When Is The Last Time You Truly Spoke To A Black Woman? Take A Black Woman To Lunch Challenge

For many White people, they have a perception of Black women as caricatures.  In their minds Black women are either, The “It’s Handled Olivia Pope” Black Woman, “The Clean Up Our Messes Mammy” Black Woman, “The Eye Rolling, Finger Snapping, Quick Witted Auntie” Black Woman, “The Crack Whore” Black Woman, “The Affirmative Action Served Her Well So She’s Acceptable” Black Woman, “The Hottentot Venus, Arouse Us and Let Us Exploit You,” Black Woman.

The Illusion Of Inclusion

It is not enough to have a Black woman as a figurehead in the diversity, equity, and inclusion department. It is not enough to have an organization with catchy socially aware slogans on the wall and roll out the Pride Flag once a year. It is not the decorations that make a company diverse and inclusive. Inclusivity is a culture, and it is one that takes intentionality. Inclusivity doesn’t just happen. People who care and have the ability to impact the organization have to make it happen. Inclusion starts at the head. Real inclusion cannot be like a bowl of artificial fruit. It can’t be for decoration. If you really want to deal with diversity, equity and inclusion move beyond the “stuff” and start doing the work.

When Rooting For Everybody Black Goes Wrong

I understand that Daniel Cameron may be a nice person; however, this is NOT the time to root for everybody Black. My goal is not to put down Cameron. I am sure he is a nice man. Invite him to dinner. Invite him to have a beer. You may even invite him to your cookout but do not invite him to the Attorney General seat on Election Day.

Black People Are Always Waiting For Justice…

Judge Kemp played into the narrative that White women will always be seen as the victim. It is not Botham’s memory and justice for this life that is the focal point of the nation, but it is Judge Kemp’s response that is now the story.  It is now a story of Black people that have been victimized by White people offering White people forgiveness. It is now the story of Black people taking the obligatory high road even as we bury our loved ones.