Dennis Drake was born on December 21, 1965 in New York, New York and raised on a small share croppers farm in Ellerbe, North Carolina. Upon graduation from high school he enlisted in the United States Navy where he served until 1995. His interests in social development and strong Christian convictions led him to enter the ministry in 1989. He was ordained and appointed Pastor of The Chapel By The Sea, Winter Harbor, Maine, in December 1992. In 1997 he joined with the Northern Virginia Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship where he was given charge over the Preachers Council for the Northern Virginia District. There he was the chief advisor on all matters pertaining to ordained, non-pastoral ministers for Northern Virginia. He resigned Aug 1999. He now is an Associate Minister at Antioch Baptist Church in Northern Virginia.

Recognizing the deeper relationships of economics and poverty to Racism in Central Maine, Dennis Drake organized a committee of volunteers comprised of military and civilian professionals, called Project Higher Hope. This team conducted research of demographics and state and federal laws, to develop educational campaigns, fundraising activities and infrastructure operations, and to establish a job skills training program with local businesses for the homeless. An active member, Dennis Drake was heavily involved in establishing the first NAACP organization in Central and Northern Maine. He helped organize and participated in diversity programs and activities for Military personnel, schools and colleges. Dennis Drake’s contribution to race relations, equal opportunity, affirmative action, human rights and public service got him nominated for several awards to include the NAACP Roy Wilkens Meritorious Service Award in 1994.

Dennis Drake is a well-known and highly respected diversity trainer, self-empowerment, and motivational/Inspirational speaker. He is most noted for his high impact "Daring To Dream Seminars" and diversity Training workshops. A staunch advocate of the elimination of all barriers to political, education, social and economic equality for minorities, he has lectured, served as keynote speaker and conducted diversity and self-empowerment training and seminars, at schools, government organizations, non-profit organizations, corporations large and small and universities around the country.

Dennis Drake is the author of the Motivational/Inspirational book, "Daring To Go Beyond Your Dreams” and his other books “Just the Other Parent and “No Compromise, Conscious over Politics” is scheduled for October and December 2000.

Dennis Drake’s contribution to race relations, equal opportunity, affirmative action, human rights and public service got him nominated for several awards to include the NAACP Roy Wilkens Meritorious Service Award in 1994.