Danni Washington
Founder, The Big Blue and You Foundation
Miami, FL

“I think about it sometimes and I wonder why God chose me to be so blessed to have a mom like her. I hope that one day I can be at least part of how great she’s been to me as a mom to my children. I’m just so grateful.”

Danni, what greatness do you bring to the world?

“I started my own non-profit just over two years ago called The Big Blue and You Foundation. I had submitted my idea for a marine TV show to Roxy and I won first place, so I got a $10,000 prize to start my company.

I wanted to do more for my community. I started it with my mom, and she’s now the executive director. We’re the only two full time people and we have five interns that are all in college.

The Big Blue and You is really about inspiring and empowering kids to be true stewards of the ocean through art.  We just had Art by the Sea. We’re also doing an event during the year for families. We’re just getting out in the community The next big project will definitely be our webisodes, talking about south Florida and the marine environment. I’m working on getting the TV show up and running.

The other company I’ve been working with is Untamed Science. My contract with them just ended, but we’ve made over 200 educational science videos with Pearson Publishing, which is the largest textbook publisher in the world. I served as a on-camera host. That helped me build my production skills.

Who made you great?

Growing up, my mom raised me by herself. She was always there for me emotionally. My mom, ever since I was little, I just remember watching her and seeing how strong she was in every single way. Not afraid to take on a challenge, doing whatever she could to try to help me thrive and grow as an individual. She helped me grow as me, grow as a woman, grow as an individual. She’s definitely my rock.

At six years old, I told my mom i wanted to be a marine biologist. I was stuck on this. Once I learned what it was, I was ready to go. She really just did everything she could to give me the fuel to keep this passion going. I read every book. Whatever I could get my hands on, she helped me get to it. When it came time for high school there was a really cool marine science magnet school in Broward so we packed up our stuff and moved there to get close.

We always did beach cleanups together. One of the first ones that we did we were working so hard to pick up all this trash. I was going through this ebb and flow of emotions. That sense of accomplishment and what we did together was really a building block. The ocean is the place where we rejuvenate. We don’t even have to talk, we just know that we’re their rejuvenating each other with the ocean.

She’s been running her own business for fifteen years. That really inspired me when it came time to start my own business. When it came time to start my own, I was equipped. I was ready and she really helped me.

It’s just the coolest thing to be working with my mom now and watching the dynamic of our relationship grow when we’re working together. I really look forward to working with my mom and working together and creating a legacy for this world.

I think about it sometimes and I wonder why God chose me to be so blessed to have a mom like her. I hope that one day I can be at least part of how great she’s been to me as a mom to my children. I’m just so grateful.”

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You can find always out what Danni is up to by checking out her website, danniwashington.com

The Big Blue and You Foundation, started by Daniell, is doing impressive things to help make people realize just how precious the ocean is. Check out their website, follow them on Twitter, and like their Facebook page for updates.