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.”
As we enter June, it is the celebration of Pride Month. Before Pride became a celebration, it started as a protest. June 28, 1969 (MY BIRTHDAY!) marks the start of the Stonewall riots in which the queer community responded to a police raid that began at the Stonewall […]
In my writing and speaking, I love to talk to Black women and use my work to elevate the voices of Black women and encourage Black women to be the best versions of themselves. Throughout the years, most of my work has been centered around racism and getting […]
Yesterday my daughter sent me a video by @deante_kyle, which truly resonated with me. Deante spoke about a hustle culture that we often see perpetuated online in the video. He was essentially talking about wanting to have one job and be able to pay his bills, and have […]
I wonder what America could be if it faced itself? What could America be if it taught real history? What could America be if we changed the landscape of our monuments to use them similar to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe to tell the story of enslavement in America? What are we so afraid of? The truth isn’t what should divide us or cause fear. Learning the lessons the truth offers is what will bring us together if we ever want to move towards healing. However, one of the first steps of healing is acknowledging that something has happened. There is no healing without admitting and telling the truth. There is no healing without facing the truth. If America ever wants to be what it can be, we must tell the story accurately.
I am tired of Black men shattering before me. I have seen it too many times. A very promising young man in my city, a good friend of mine is now facing an attempted murder charge because we didn’t recognize the shattering. Our homes are filled with Black men that are shattered. Our school system doesn’t know how to deal with Black boys that are shattering.
Thank you, Senator Cory Booker, for reminding not just Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson but many Black women that we are seen, we are heard, and we are worthy.
We stand with you, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. We have all been there before. We understand sitting through mediocrity is never pleasant. Being a spacemaker is often not easy. It is shameful that a Black woman still must prove herself in a sea of Whiteness to people that will never be as accomplished as her. We can only imagine what you have gone through to sit where you are sitting this week and where you will sit for the remainder of your career – on the highest court in the land. Know that we are standing with you, and always know some of your sistas do throw hands and are proficient in knuck if you buck!
There will be no time in my existence that I will ever look at the death of Breonna Taylor and the aftermath and say, look how far we have come, look at how much we have accomplished. I see what was left in the wake of these so-called reforms. 2020 impacted my life in so many ways that I am just beginning to unpack 2 years later. The emotional toll has been tremendous.Why must the road to reform be paved with our bodies, bones, and blood? Why must we fight through rage before we ever get to redemption? At what point will America do the right thing simply because it is long overdue to do the right thing? How long do you think feeding us minuscule morsels of justice will satiate our palates?
For 2022 choose your peace. Find your joy. As Black people, we must put boundaries around our joyful moments and protect them at any cost. Do not continue to allow this world to rob you of your joy. You are free to pursue a life of happiness, which doesn’t require White people’s permission. When you pursue something, you chase after it. It requires that you wake up every day and say, “Today, I will seek out joy. Today I will refuse to let racism rob me of my joy.”
Fix it, Black Girl. Fix us, Black Girl. Nurse us, Black Girl. Teach us, Black Girl. Be the help, Black Girl. Clean up our messes, Black Girl. Vote for us, Black Girl. Don’t complain, Black Girl.
