Danni Washington | TV Personality | Science Communicator | Ocean Advocate
TV Personality, Science Communicator, and Ocean Advocate, Danni Washington, is possibly one of the most inspiring individuals we have had the pleasure of meeting through our line of work. She radiates passion and has spent the last decade smashing barriers and blazing trails in the ocean, STEM, and TV spaces.
Danni is leading the way on the mission to bring awareness to the ever-growing ocean crisis, and works tirelessly to protect our most undervalued asset. As the first African-American woman to host her own National science television show, Danni hopes to inspire the millions of young girls who might be thinking about pursuing a career in STEM and simply need to connect with role models that look like them to believe that it's possible.
Photo: Matt Porteous
Danni’s extensive career in science and ocean communication is truly something to marvel. From TV personality, podcast host, multi-business owner, public speaker, and author, Danni ensures to cover every mode of communication possible to shout the importance of our oceans, racial awareness, STEM, and the arts as loud as possible. Check out some of her incredible achievements below:
TV Host & Science Communicator
Danni is the first African American/woman of color to host an American science TV show and has 10+ years of experience in the science communication field. She was also named the Emerging Female Leader of the Year Award by EarthX in 2019 and was selected as one of the 10 young rising innovators who was profiled in CA Technologies #STEM10 initiative alongside Jaden Smith and other rising stars in the space.
Podcast Host & Appearances
Not only is Danni a multi-business owner and TV personality, she is also the host of ‘The Genius Generation’ Podcast, and the ‘21st Century Mermaids’ podcast, and has been a guest on MANY other STEM and ocean advocacy podcasts.
‘The Genius Generation’ Podcast
This podcast is a deep-dive into one incredible invention, entrepreneurial pursuit, or discovery per episode and the young person behind it.
Did you know that the trampoline was invented by a 16-year-old? That popsicles, snowmobiles, and even the Braille language were also invented by young people? In this podcast we’re talking to innovative kids, tweens, and teens who run their own businesses, made a new discovery, or invented something new using science. Our host Danni Washington, a science communicator who is dedicated to inspiring and educating youth about all things science, is just as excited to interview these innovators and be inspired by them as the interviewees.
‘21st Century Mermaids’ Podcast
21st Century Mermaids is a new podcast dedicated to women and the ocean. Hosted by Danni Washington, each episode features a ‘mermaid’ who works in the ocean science and marine conservation fields. By sharing the stories of these modern day mermaids around the world, this podcast promotes ocean literacy and empathy, while championing access, agency, and equity for women and their allies in ocean conservation, leadership, and STEM fields. 21st Century Mermaids actively welcomes the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) and addresses the UN’s 2019 theme for World Oceans Day (Gender and the Ocean).This project is supported by the Baum Foundation and Executive Produced by Washington, Mariasole Bianco, and Dr. Erika Woolsey, three women who are scientists, ocean explorers, educators, and advocates.
Check out a full list of podcasts that Danni has featured on here.
Author
Danni works tirelessly to ensure that the importance of ocean advocacy, women and BIPOC empowerment, and the rise of young activists, is heard EVERYWHERE. Because of that, she ensures no stone is left unturned, from TV, Podcasts, Social Media, and now literature. Danni’s latest book, ‘Bold Women in Science' is available to buy now.
This collection of biographies for kids explores 15 of these women and their extraordinary accomplishments―even in the face of huge challenges. See how they bravely followed their dreams and revolutionized what we know about technology, our bodies, and even the universe!
Multi-Business Owner
Since graduating from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Science & Biology, Danni has established two brilliant companies that encourage young STEM researchers, artists, and overall ocean enthusiasts to do their part to protect our oceans, and equip them with the tools and support they need to do so. Danni is passionate about cultivating and amplifying the voices of ocean-loving BIPOC communities so everyone can be heard, and that is what she aims to do with both her businesses.
‘The Big Blue & You’
Big Blue & You is the only ocean conservation nonprofit to be founded by African American women and is a passionate proponent of intersectional environmentalism and decolonizing the natural world. Danni founded Big Blue & You with her mother, businesswoman Michelle Swaby-Smith. For the past 13 years, the organization has supported emerging environmentalists — especially young women of color — and equipped young leaders with STEM tools for ocean advocacy, and offers equitable access to outdoor spaces to engage BIPOC communities, so that people can experience what they are asked to protect.
'Mocha Mermaid’
Mocha Mermaids and Merfolx are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color who love the ocean and want to protect it. Celebrating diversity and the BIG BLUE that gives us life. Danni created Mocha Mermaid to celebrate and create a community of fellow ocean warrior queens. Mocha Mermaid is both a clothing brand and community, where ‘Mermaids’ and ‘Merfolx’ can share resource guides, follow the Mocha Mermaid blog, and support the ocean and BIPOC communities.
“As we collectively aim to solve global challenges like climate change, ocean pollution & other environmental injustices, it's important that we create a clear line of communication between the general public and the science community. As a science communicator, I aim to be an effective catalyst that can help facilitate this essential connection for the sake of an inclusive, intersectional and just future for all.”
Website - www.danniwashington.com
Instagram - @danniwashington
