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 write this blog today as a Black woman that identifies as a lesbian.
I write this blog today as someone that is part of the LGBTQ community.
I write this as a woman willing to stand in her truth, not knowing the fallout of speaking her truth but ready to deal with speaking her truth.
I write this as a woman, a Black woman, ready to live!
TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE!
In the Whitest of White Women, White Feminism statements that ever Whited, Heidi Klum a rich, White, blond, former supermodel, host of Project Runway and panelist for America’s Got Talent spoke to about her lack of response and solidarity with Gabrielle Union who expressed concern about racism on America’s […]
So, don’t cry to me. Don’t weep to ANY BLACK PERSON! We have already shed our tears throughout history, and they were met with deaf ears.
Now the BELL TOLLS FOR YOU!
I turn this issue to YOU!
I SIT TRUMP SQUARELY AT YOUR FEET!
Please don’t ask us what we are going to do. Ask YOURSELF WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?
This challenge is far greater than Black People and People of Color just taking up space. It is about Black people and People of Color understanding their RIGHT to take up space. It is about Black People and People of Color understanding their value and worth. And once you understand your value, you are clear on what you will and will not tolerate. It moves from just taking up physical space and seeps into what you are willing to allow to take up space in your life, employment, and relationships. This challenge has the ability to impact every area of your life. It stands toe to toe with White supremacy and says, “I am here and I shall not be moved.” Imagine a world where Black People and People of Color said, “Not today. Today I’m taking a stand.” That is what many White people fear and that is really the source of anger. People that understand their value in spaces and all areas of their lives have the ability to bring down systems of oppression.
This world has NEVER appreciated Black women. EVER!!!! If Meghan touched her baby bump, White people hated her. If Meghan was compassionate towards children, White people hated her. If Meghan breathed, White people hated her. And White people can attempt to make this about ANYTHING ELSE, but we all know the truth. It would have been fine if Meghan was cleaning Buckingham Palace. They wouldn’t have had ANY problem with Meghan whatsoever if she was “the help.” They wouldn’t have had ANY issue with Meghan if she “stayed in her place.”
All your life, you have taken a gamble on everyone and everything else, but this year is YOUR YEAR! Dare yourself to take a chance on you. Your dreams are right in front of you. All you have to do is take a gamble! You have one life. What would your life look like if you decided today, I am BETTING ON ME?
As Black Women working 9-5, second shift, third shift, figuring out how to perform a blowjob or cunnilingus, pick our kids up from daycare, bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan, all while trying to protect our husbands, wives, partners, sons, and daughters from […]
Everybody wants to be Black until it’s time to be Black. Everybody loves the rhythm, but no one wants to deal with the blues. Everyone wants to Milly Rock in the rain, but no one wants to get wet. A Black costume is enough. The reality is, being a Black woman is something no White woman really wants to deal with.
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 […]
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.
