Hannah Drake offers a powerful, inspirational message that has been heard in various arenas around the world. Hannah has had the distinguished privilege of opening for political and social justice activist, Angela Davis, National Book Award Winner and poet, Nikky Finney, author and motivational speaker, Iyanla Vanzant, honorable judge and TV personality, Judge Gregory Mathis, and rapper and music producer, BIG K.R.I.T. Hannah has served as a presenter at Ideas Festival at WKU and in Louisville, KY as a panelist with CNN chief national correspondent, John King. In April 2017, Hannah had the honor of curating an evening of performance artists for the Festival of Faiths entitled Compassion Rising which reflected how arts could have an impact on the compassion. In November 2017, Hannah’s poem Spaces was selected by the National Academy of Medicine to be featured in a national art exhibit that speaks to visualizing health equity. Also, Hannah was chosen as a 2017 Hadley Creatives, a partnership between the Community Foundation of Louisville and Creative Capital to help local artists build their professional practice, cultivate an expanded peer network and dedicate time for reflection and planning. In December 2017 Hannah was honored for her work by the Kentucky Alliance of Against Racist and Political Repression.
In 2014, she joined Roots and Wings, a dynamic group of artists that seek to bring social change to their community. In 2015 and 2016, Hannah Drake, along with the members of Roots and Wings were able to perform their written plays, The West End Poetry Opera and The Blood Always Returns, at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts.
“Always leave crumbs & footprints detailing your greatness for those that are coming behind you.”
In 2016, Hannah’s poem Formation poem went viral being shared over 20,000 times around the world. A lover of writing and social justice, Hannah’s new blog offers commentary on current events and has been viewed around the world. Hannah’s work is filled with passion and truth, believing that communication is indeed the beginning of change. Hannah is the author of several works of poetry, Hannah‘s Plea-Poetry for the Soul, Anticipation, Life Lived In Color, In Spite of My Chains, For Such A Time As This and So Many Things I Want to Tell You-Life Lessons for the Journey. Her debut novel Views from the Back Pew was received with stellar reviews and was performed on stage to a sold-out audience. Her follow-up novel, Fragile Destiny has been hailed as life-changing. Currently, Hannah is working on a new collection of poetry and life lessons, entitled Love, Revolution, and Lemonade. Her powerful, honest delivery has garnered her the nickname, "Brimstone." More information about Hannah can be found at her website www.hannahldrake.com.
I saw #civilwarletters trending, people writing “letters” home to loved ones of this “fake” civil war that’s supposed to happen tomorrow. All fun and games. Then I thought about my people, Black men, and women who would be hung for reading let alone writing. It’s not so funny. […]
It’s the summertime, and the 4th of July is upon us- a day where people can celebrate America and pretend we are not in the 9th circle of hell on earth since Trump took office. There will be spirited discussions online about the hypocrisy of celebrating a holiday […]
Once again, Trump Wannabe, Governor Matt Bevin proved he doesn’t give a damn about the welfare of Kentuckians by canceling dental and vision care for nearly half a million Kentucky residents. Because of course, Kentuckians don’t need dental and vision care. According to reports, dental and oral health […]
This week after Congresswoman Maxine Waters spoke the uncompromised truth, and all broke loose. At an event at the Wilshire Federal Building, Maxine Waters said, “Let’s make sure we show up wherever we have to show up. And if you see anybody from that Cabinet in a restaurant, […]
TRY God… for Nachand Hyde Trabue by Hannah L. Drake To Try To Dare To Believe To Have Faith To Trust Try God Two words that will change your life
*****DISCLAIMER This is an extremely personal blog for me. I do not excuse any of XXXtentacion’s behavior. It was behavior that reminded me of a man I knew so I wrote this blog.***** “Come home.” It was two words I never thought I would hear from my Dad. […]
In another episode of Black People Been Knew, it seemed over the weekend America woke up and realized that indeed America is still racist. When I logged onto Twitter, many people in my feed were posting about racism like a child that recognizes Mommy and Daddy are really […]
This blog has been on my mind for several months as I watched the narrative change around saying Black people suddenly turn to People of Color. I, too, got caught up in this phrase and used it in my writing as a way, I believed to be inclusive. […]
This week I had the privilege to teach a workshop on Music/Lyrics & The Movement at the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools® in Knoxville, Tennessee. It was such a beautiful sight to see hundreds of young Black leaders coming together to study, learn, grow, converse, share, listen and ultimately, […]
As someone that spends their life trying to improve the landscape of our humanity, I am always delighted when someone approaches me and tells me that they are an ally. If we desire for this world to be a better place, we will get there much faster if […]
