A Public Speaker Dedicated to Motivating Individuals

Drop Kick The Drama Productions is led by Madonna Hanna, an award-winning educator, author, athlete, and inspirational speaker. She helps individuals of all ages believe that anything is possible when you work hard and have passion.

Drop Kick The Drama Productions

Madonna teaches with wit, wisdom, compassion, and candor. Her compelling presentations to students, educators, and business leaders impart critical life lessons such as gaining hope and developing resilience.

Teaching Valuable Lessons

Drop Kick The Drama Productions

Madonna demonstrates how adversity can be overcome with perseverance through her fascinating life story. By sharing her experiences, she teaches how love, commitment, and compassion help in conquering life’s challenges.

Through her lessons, Madonna aims to awaken a powerful appreciation of civility and respect for human dignity in different communities.

Conquering Challenges With Love

About Madonna

Her Story

About Madonna:

Madonna was born on the Pensacola Naval Base and was raised in the conservative white suburbs of Boston, Massachusetts during the 60s and 70s. She was the only African-American student in her elementary school class. Her parents overcame incredible obstacles of discrimination to provide their family with the American dream of a suburban middle-class lifestyle.

DEVELOPING DETERMINATION

Despite her creativity and talent, Madonna faced bullying, racial prejudice, and isolation at school due to the color of her skin. At that time, many white parents would not allow their children to play with her, which is why she only had a few friends.

Although nailing her school play auditions in high school, she was not allowed to be cast as anyone’s sister, daughter, wife, or girlfriend. She was only allowed…

to narrate and emcee events. When she wanted to try out for cheerleading, she was told that only white girls could be on the squad. For her, high school was miserable, lonely, and punctuated by bullying.

The pain, loneliness, and injustice Madonna experienced could have destroyed her. But reflecting on it now, she recognizes that these adversities taught her how to meet future challenges with determination. It also informed her decision to always treat others with respect and compassion.

As a speaker and educator, Madonna uses her story to encourage students to stay strong and know that change is possible.

OVERCOMING BARRIERS

Madonna attended a private two year post-secondary school Chamberlain School of Retailing which offered an extensive, demanding retailing curriculum. She flourished! Madonna was the editor-in-chief of the yearbook, graduated at the top of class and was the featured speaker at her graduation. She was the recipient of the coveted Muriel M. Cox award for high academic achievement and leadership. Her retail education prepared Madonna to be recruited personally, by the Vice President of Human Relations, into a prestigious retail management/ executive training program in one of the largest department Stores in New England. Madonna also later worked at the corporate office of a national women’s apparel manufacturing corporation.

PIONEERING

Madonna became a pioneering woman of color in the highly segregated east coast fashion industry in the 1970s. During her early career, she encountered institutionalized barriers of racial discrimination and sometimes flagrant bigotry. She overcame these with grace and dignity, achieving a high level of success as a fashion merchandiser, runway model, and fashion show commentator. Madonna also worked at the corporate office of a national women’s apparel manufacturing corporation.

CALLED TO TEACH

In 1979, Madonna moved to Washington state to embark on a 32 year teaching career. She taught Fashion Marketing in the Tacoma and Bremerton School Districts. She developed an award winning antibullying program, “Dare Not To Swear!” and an inclusivity program for students with disabilities. She partnered with area high schools and a junior high to create the award winning “Flights of Fancy” Fashion show for students with disabilities. Madonna was recognized for her excellence in teaching at the statewide and national level!

RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE

Madonna taught Fashion Marketing for 32 years and received over 30 teaching awards. Highlights include:

  • Milken Education Award
  • 2x Washington State Vocational Teacher of the Year
  • 2x Washington State Regional Teacher of the Year
  • Recognized as the 969th Point of Light by President George H. W. Bush

EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS

Since her retirement as a teacher, Madonna dedicated herself to inspiring others in developing their talents. She motivates individuals to survive and thrive in every challenge and empowers them to share their gifts with the world.

LIFE TODAY

As a retiree, she continues to win awards as a senior athlete in track and field and as a member of Toastmasters International she particaptes in international speech contests.

PASSIONATE ABOUT SERVICE

Madonna engages audiences of all ages and walks of life with her dynamic lessons and entertaining storytelling. She is genuinely passionate about motivating people to achieve their goals.

Her spirit is born of great love and desire to see every person rise to their full potential. She aspires to see individuals be inspired with the courage to achieve the purpose they envision.

Madonna will inspire you!

PODCAST INTERVIEW REVIEWS

Drop Kick The Drama Productions

TWO BOOMER WOMEN & THE FINE ART OF CONVERSATION

10/19/21
Madonna Hanna is truly an inspiration! She has taken the high road throughout her life and is now committed to anti-bullying and the encouragement of others.
Madonna's mid-life embracing of fitness is an example for all of us "mid-lifers"!! I loved our interview!

Drop Kick The Drama Productions

FROM HOOD TO GOOD PODCAST

10/12/21
It was a pleasure having Madonna share her experiences and practical approach to adversity! Plenty of gems were received and I am glad to share with my audience!

 

Drop Kick The Drama Productions

I ALWAYS WANTED TO

9/06/21
Highly recommended. Madonna has great stories and tells them with humor and grace.

Drop Kick The Drama Productions

CONVERSATIONS WITH MAYI LENZ

8/24/21
Madonna is an amazing guest full of energy and wisdom. Really enjoyed our conversation.

Drop Kick The Drama Productions

SHELOR SELECT

9/16/21
Madonna is a genuinely great person all around with incredible stories to tell.

Drop Kick The Drama Productions

SPEAKING PODCAST

8/03/21
Madonna has an impressive trophy collection for Public Speaking. She is very entertaining for the interviewer and the listeners.

Drop Kick The Drama Productions

PUBLIC SPEAKING WITH PETER GEORGE

6/14/21
Madonna is exactly what one would hope for in s guest -- prepared, knowledgable, and able to share her information and experiences in an interesting manner. Simply a great guest!

7/13/21
Talking with Madonna is like talking with an old friend. Easy conversation with laughter and deep topics. She is a true action hero!

Drop Kick The Drama Productions

INFUSION HEALTH

8/20/21
Madonna was a wonderful guest on our podcast and well educated in her topic. The pre-conversations were just as beneficial!!!

Drop Kick The Drama Productions

IHEALTHRADIO

8/11/21
Had tremendous fun with Madonna, she is truly the Fit, The Fast and The Fabulous, her and her track coach Marcus Chambers shared their stories of determination and perseverance, Madonna is a must have guest on your show, thank you Madonna and Marcus for a great time and a great inspirational show and content.

Drop Kick The Drama Productions

THE ROLLER COASTER

6/28/21
Madonna was a lovely and lively guest. She shares her stories with humour and wraps them up with important lessons.

Drop Kick The Drama Productions

POSITIVELY JOY

7/10/21
Madonna is a great guest and is so energetic. Her story is awesome. Book her today.

Drop Kick The Drama Productions

NEW TOWN BIG DREAMS

6/24/21
Madonna has a truly inspirational story about overcoming racism and bullying as a child, to fully growing in self confidence and becoming a success. She has many heartwarming stories of helping children to overcome bullying, and helping parents and educators handle this in the most effective ways.

Drop Kick The Drama Productions

MULTIPLE VOICES

7/01/21
A wild, firecracker of a lady! She is just so so exciting to talk to and make me want to get my running shoes back on! Loved it!

Drop Kick The Drama Productions

LINDA'S CORNER: FAITH, FAMILY, AND LIVING JOYFULLY

6/23/21
Enthusiastic, confident, and shares jaw dropping stories.

Drop Kick The Drama Productions

Classroom Matters

10/26/21
Madonna was a great guest full of inpiring and intriquing stories to share.  One of the best conversations in a long time!

Drop Kick The Drama Productions

M.I.N.D. YOUR BUSINESS (MINDFUL INTENTIONS...

10/18/21
Madonna is fascinating and intriguing. Her energy is amazing and she is very easy to talk to. I love her style and grace.

MADONNA B. HANNA

Awards and Recognitions

Youth Leadership Project Recognitions

  • 2012

    Competed at International DECA Leadership Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah

  • 2012

    Fifth Place Washington State DECA Leadership Conference Competition, “Clean Up Your Mouth…Brush….Floss and Dare Not to Swear!” Community Service Project, Bellevue, Wa ( Eligible to compete at International DECA Leadership Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah

  • 2011

    13th Place Washington State DECA Leadership Conference Competition- “Clean Up Your Mouth…Brush….Floss and Dare Not to Swear!” Community Service Project, Bellevue, WA

  • 2010

    Seventh Place SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, Community Service Project “Dare Not To Swear!”

  • 2010

    First Place SkillsUSA Washington State and Regional Competition, Community Service Project “Dare Not To Swear!”

  • 2009

    Competed at the International DECA Leadership Conference, Anaheim, CA)

  • 2009

    2nd Place Washington State DECA Leadership Conference Competition, “Dare Not To Swear!” Publicity Campaign, Bellevue, WA (Eligible to compete at the International DECA Leadership Conference, Anaheim, CA)

  • 2007-2008

    Milken Family Foundation Festival For Youth Grant (“Dare Not To Swear!” Community Service Project

  • 2007

    Washington Education Association (WEA) Human and Civil Rights Student Involvement Award and Grant (“Dare Not To Swear!”)

  • 2002

    Bronze Medal- National Leadership and Skills Conference: Beautiful Differences Community Service Project (SkillsUSA VICA)

  • 2002

    First Place Washington State SkillsUSA VICA Community Service Champion: Beautiful Differences Community Service Project

  • 2002

    First Place WA. State Regional SkillsUSA VICA Community Service Champion Beautiful Differences Community Service Project

  • 2001

    Awarded Milken Family Foundation Festival for Youth Community Service Grant: Beautiful Differences ($3,000)

  • 2000

    Awarded Milken Family Foundation Festival for Youth Community Service Grant: Beautiful Differences Community Service Project ($5,000)

MADONNA B. HANNA

Education Awards / Recognitions

  • 2008

    Kitsap County Boys Scouts of America Service to Youth Award

  • 2007

    Kitsap Sun/Kitsap Credit Union Healthy Tomorrow Award- Community Service Award

  • 2003

    Outstanding Author- Washington Organization for Reading Development (W.O.R.D.) State Council for the International Reading Association

  • 2000

    Olympic Educational Service District 114 Teacher of the Year

  • 2000

    Region V- Association for Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year Nominee

  • 2000

    Washington State Career and Technical Teacher of the Year

  • 1999

    Milken Family Foundation National Educators Award

  • 1999

    Olympic Educational Service District 114 Teacher of the Year

  • 1998

    Washington Education Association-Human Rights and Relation Award: Flights of Fancy Fashion Show

  • 1997

    Washington Vocational Association (WVA) Outstanding Teaching Program Award - Flights of Fancy

  • 1993

    Washington Federation of Teachers Award of Excellence

  • 1992

    Recognized by University Place Black Parent Association in honor of the Daily Point of Light recognition by President George Bush Sr.

  • 1992

    Recognized by Disney as an American Point of Light

  • 1992

    President George Bush Sr. recognizes the Bates Buddy Program as 969 Daily Point of Light.

  • 1992

    WVA Outstanding Teaching Project-The Bates Buddy Project

  • 1991

    KSTW Channel 11 Washington State Class Act Teacher

  • 1991

    Washington Federation of Teachers Award of Excellence

  • 1991

    Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Certificate of Commendation for Community Service

  • 1991

    Washington State Vocational Education Contributor of the Year

  • 1990

    WVA Teacher of the Year

WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENCES