Barbara Makeda Blake-Hannah, born in Jamaica on June 5, 1941, is a prominent author and journalist recognized for her advocacy of Rastafari culture and history. Her career spans journalism, politics, filmmaking, and cultural consultancy. She was an early pioneer in British television, becoming one of the first Black on-camera reporters. Despite facing racist backlash that led to her dismissal from Thames Television, she continued her work and later returned to Jamaica.

In Jamaica, Blake-Hannah became an independent senator and the first Rastafarian to hold a parliamentary seat. She has authored several books, including a seminal work on the Rastafarian religion, and produced films that explore Jamaican culture and identity. Her activism extends to advocating for reparations for slavery. Blake-Hannah's life and career have been recognized through various platforms, including a journalistic prize named in her honor and a podcast series highlighting forgotten Black women.

Barbara Hannah began her media career in Jamaica, reading television news and writing for a magazine founded by her father. Moving to Britain in 1964, she initially worked as a film extra before embarking on a writing career for various publications. In 1968, she made history as one of the first Black on-camera reporters for Thames Television's evening news. During her tenure, she interviewed notable figures like Prime Minister Harold Wilson. However, her groundbreaking role was cut short after nine months when she was dismissed, reportedly due to viewer complaints stemming from racial prejudice. Despite this, she continued her journalism in Britain, facing further discrimination that necessitated daily commutes from London due to difficulty finding accommodation.

Returning permanently to Jamaica in 1972, Hannah played a key role in the public relations for the film 'The Harder They Come.' She established a successful career as a filmmaker and became the first Rastafarian to serve as an independent senator in the Jamaican Parliament from 1984 to 1987. Her literary contributions are significant, particularly her 1981 book 'Rastafari – The New Creation,' noted as the first account of the religion written by a practicing member. She has also produced documentaries, including 'Race, Rhetoric, Rastafari,' and her memoir 'Growing Out: Black Hair and Black Pride in the Swinging Sixties' details her experiences in Britain.

Hannah is widely recognized for her dedication to promoting Rastafari culture and history. She currently leads the Jamaica Film Academy, which organizes the Reggae Film Festival. Her activism includes a strong stance on reparations for slavery, having founded the Jamaica Reparations Movement in 2001. Despite facing challenges in gaining widespread support for the movement, her efforts highlight the ongoing dialogue around historical injustices. Her life and experiences, particularly concerning racism in Britain and her journey to black consciousness, have been shared in interviews and recognized through initiatives like the 'Barbara Blake-Hannah Prize' for emerging journalists from minority backgrounds.