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 I drove home from the Speed Museum after a viewing of I Am Not Your Negro, a documentary on race in America brought to life through the impeccable words of James Baldwin, I felt tears welling up in my eyes. Somehow, I managed to make it through […]
I half-heartedly watched the Trump press conference today as it was more of the same and reminded me of listening to Charlie Brown’s teacher. Wah wah wah, “It’s gonna be bigly.” Wah wah wah, “Wall.” Wah wah wah, “Kill every Black person Law and Order in Chicago.” Wah […]
On most days I enjoy scrolling through my Twitter feed trying to determine how much water and can food I need to stock up on since it is inevitable that Trump is determined to be the leader of World War 3 before 2018. Truthfully, I find some petty […]
Beyonce’s Lemonade album was simply flawless. Beyonce allowed us to into an area of her life like she has never before with songs that spoke about love and heartbreak, the challenges of marriage, the empowerment of women and for me, most importantly Black Power. The visual album was […]
I never imagined as a resident of Louisville, Kentucky that I would ever have anything to thank Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell for however I have been proven wrong. Mitch McConnell has, in the way of trying to reprimand Senator Elizabeth Warren, gave women one of the most powerful […]
This week, House Bill 14 was introduced into Kentucky legislation. House Bill 14, also known as the Blue Lives Matter Bill, is a direct response and slap in the face to the Black Lives Matter movement. The Blue Lives Matter Bill would make it a hate crime to […]
I awoke this morning to check my Facebook page and was greeted by Laura who took issue with my blog post, Dear America: You Should Have Listened. Sincerely, A Black Woman. I am not above people disliking my blog posts. I am simply a Black woman with a […]
If you are avoiding all media outlets due to the fact we now live in the Matrix (I understand), you may have missed the announcement that broke the internet, Beyonce, Mrs. Carter if you nasty, is pregnant with twins! Yes! Twins! When my daughter sent me the picture […]
For this year’s Black History Month (which might I add, as I always do, is the shortest month of the year), can we please get through February without attributing every “trend” that African American women have been doing since before time was time, to Kim Kardashian or some […]
Everything you need to save this nation can be found in a Black woman. The mother of all civilization and creation. Black women are the epitome of grace under pressure, resilience, power, love and strength. Black women have always been at the forefront of a movement, under-girding a […]
