Danni Washington

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Danni Washington
A photograph of Danni Washington's smiling face
Danni Washington
Born
Daniell Washington
NationalityUSA
Occupation(s)Marine biologist, science communicator
Notable workMission Unstoppable, Science the $#*! Out of It, and Xploration Nature Knows Best, Big Blue and You

Daniell Washington is an American marine biologist, science communicator, television host, and activist for ocean conservation.[1] Washington was the first African American woman to host a television series about science.[1] She founded the nonprofit organization Big Blue and You.[2] Washington is seen on STEM-related shows like Mission Unstoppable, Science the $#*! Out of It, and Xploration Nature Knows Best.[1][2] She is featured in NOVA's “Ocean Invaders.”[3]

Career[change | change source]

Washington grew up in Miami, Florida.[4] Her family is from Jamaica.[5][6] She loved the ocean since she was six years old.[1] She graduated from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science in 2008.[1] She was the only woman of color in her academic department at college.[1]

When she was twenty-one she co-founded the nonprofit organization Big Blue and You with her mother.[2][1] Big Blue and You is a group that inspires young people to care about ocean conservation.[2] Washington help children learn about the ocean by helping them make art from recycled materials.[2] Washington started the organization after she won the "Follow Your Heart Tour" award.[7][8][5] She won US $10,000.[9] She used the prize money to start the Art Sea Festival.[2] The Art Sea Festival allows children to talk to scientists and artists who care about the ocean.[1]

She also used the prize money to make the first episode of a television show for children about science.[5] In 2016 Washington became the host of her own show on the Fox station “Xploration Station” where she talks about how scientists are taking inspiration from nature.[4][10] The show lasted two seasons.[11]

Washington co-hosted the series Science the $#*! Out of It with comedian Krystyna Hutchinson on Facebook Watch.[12] In the series, they answered questions from the internet.[4]

Washington wants women, non-binary people, and people of color to get excited about science.[1][2] She wants them to understand they can be scientists.[1] That is why she is on many television shows.[1][2] She also started the podcast 21st Century Mermaids.[1] That podcast features women and non-binary ocean conservationists.[1]

Awards[change | change source]

Washington won the "Follow Your Heart Tour" prize from ROXY.[8] She also won a "TogetherGreen" fellowship from the National Audobon Society and Toyota.[8] Washington used the TogetherGreen Fellowship to teach 15 students filmmaking.[13] They will make public service announcements about conserving water.[7] Washington was also named one of TheGrio's 100 in 2012.[7]

References[change | change source]

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 "Meet Danni Washington - Voyage LA Magazine | LA City Guide". Voyage LA. 2020-10-15. Archived from the original on 2022-08-13. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 C.N.W. Reporter (2016-08-11). "Jamaican Diaspora 20 under 40: Danni Washington: The Mocha Mermaid". CNW Network. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  3. "NOVA: Ocean Invaders". KPBS Public Media. 2022-10-24. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Danni Washington | Science Communicator". Danni Washington | Science Communicator. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Local University of Miami Graduate wins $10,000 in ROXY 'Follow Your Heart Tour' competition". South Florida Caribbean News. 2008-08-19. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  6. "How Caribbean American Danni Washington has become a pioneer in science". About Her Culture. 2021-12-20. Retrieved 2023-02-28.[permanent dead link]
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 "TheGrio's 100: Daniell Washington, teaching youth the importance of water conservation". TheGrio. 2012-01-30. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Millennial Leader to Watch: Marine Biologist Inspires Children of Color". Mic. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  9. "ToRoxy: Roxy Follow Your Heart Grand Prize Winner!". To ROXY. 2008-08-14. Archived from the original on 2009-01-29. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  10. "Fox Station Group Extends STEM-Themed 'Xploration Station' TV Block through 2020". www.csrwire.com. 2017-01-17. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  11. Xploration Nature Knows Best (Documentary, Family), Steve Rotfeld Productions, 2016-09-10, retrieved 2023-02-28
  12. ""Science the $#!* Out of It" is returning to Facebook Watch for season two". Insider. 2019-06-27. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  13. National Audobon Society (2011-11-16). "Forty Environmentalists Receive 'TogetherGreen' Fellowships: Promising Leaders Singled Out by Audubon and Toyota to Create Positive Environmental Change". www.csrwire.com. Retrieved 2023-02-28.