BY: CHAUNIELLE BROWN
Encompassed by liquefied waves of infinite possibilities, South Florida’s breath and life of water is unmistakably its engraved markings of a tattoo. As city dwellers, do we truly know the essence and ingredients of the sparkling water surrounding us? Spotlight drops and may we introduce the ‘Ambassador of the Ocean,’ Danielle ‘Danni’ Washington.
(Shown above: Kingston City Tee)
A blossomed young woman with roots in Miami, Fl, a recent graduate of the University of Miami having studied both Marine Science and Biology, and a worldly navigator of South Africa, Galapagos Islands, Peru, and Costa Rica, to name a few, it is her heart’s desire to fuel the advancement of knowledge where oceanic conservation is concerned. The tender age of six is when her adulate devotion was first birthed and since then it has sustained bearing priority and relevance in her life as she moves along. Danni’s arduous admiration for the oceanic waters has inevitably led her to spur her collective energies to become a spokesperson for the ocean.
Her time at the University of Miami proved impressionably profitable having served more up for her than just a degree. Danni’s role as a team leader for the South Florida Student Shark Program (SFSSP), a collaborative multidisciplinary research and education program geared towards encouraging high school, college undergraduate and graduate students to learn about the study and conservation of Floridian shark species, mangrove fish habitat and the Florida watershed, has undoubtedly laid her impressive foundation and equipped her for the rippled waters ahead. To add to her awe-inspiring resume, she also served on the executive board of the University of Miami’s Marine Mammal Stranding Team; which actively aided the rescue, rehabilitation and release of marine mammals that stranded along the coastline of South Florida.
As of late, the ocean continues to rise high for Danni, as in August 2008, she was awarded with $10,000 having entered and won the ROXY ‘Follow Your Heart’ competition presented by Schick® Quattro for Women®; a contest driven by the ‘Follow Your Heart Tour’ – a 12-location tour intended to inspire girls to follow their dreams. And for Danni, following her dreams has become that much more apparent and made manifest. Following her heart has led her to victory in the ‘Follow Your Heart’ competition and open doors to design the path she has envisioned for so long.
Now we look at Danni, and she is more than the woman you see…the ‘Green Marine Spokeschick,’ exceptionally intelligent, inventive and adamant about her continuous flow of knowledge, she is incessant, as she educates the masses on preserving our precious resource. “The ocean is so vast, so beautiful and so mysterious – but many people don’t realize how much our lives depend on it. Our society as a whole needs to change its perspective. I want to focus on the children. They are the ones that will really make the change.”
Perhaps one of the accomplishments she can be most proud of, is her own formation of ‘The Big Blue & You Foundation,’ a non-profit organization aiming to inspire and empower today’s youth to become diplomats of the Ocean and Earth. The foundation is centered around a special television show intended to invigorate, instill, enlighten and empower today’s youth to foster respect for our environment and to become stewards of the existence we live everyday in – the Earth and Ocean. Through amusing and educational adventures the show is an encouragement to young viewers to initiate change by becoming tomorrow’s leaders today.
Upcoming on Danni’s agenda is ‘The Big Blue & You’ National Marine Educational School Tour set to kick off in January 2009 composed to be an innovative presentation that will tour elementary, middle, and high schools to teach our youngsters about the emphasis and influence of the ocean, its current threats and the solutions to help such issues. Through the blend of science and the arts the tour is assured to make a significantly sensational splash.
As echoes of the Caribbean, the crystalline clear ocean is our pride and glory, one of our gifts and a cherished slice of our living story. I&I is in full championship for Danni and her venture and you are sure to see continued praise and love sent her way. With Danni, I&I hopes her attributes and charismatic flair will motivate the love and knowledge of our blue planet where making a difference isn’t miles away…but mere steps to framing beauty and harvesting change.
