Job Title
Author, Activist, Science Communicator & TV Host
Speaker Bio
Danielle "Danni" Washington is truly one of a kind. She is a full-time dedicated marine science communicator, a part-time educational “mermaid," and an unstoppable rising media star. She brilliantly educates and entertains, standing at the intersection of science and the public at large. Having been the first African American woman to host her own science television series, Danni is currently in production as the sole host of a "top secret" National Geographic/ Disney+ mega budgeted premium limited documentary series. This project will be available December 2022. Currently, Danni is also working on a special for Discovery's famed Shark week. She is a host on The Genius Generation, a new podcast focused on young people behind an incredible invention, entrepreneurial pursuit, or Discovery using science. Previously, Danni was a featured correspondent for the weekly nationally syndicated CBS series Mission Unstoppable hosted and executive produced by Miranda Cosgrove and Geena Davis. Danni has also hosted Xploration Nature Knows Best on Fox and Amazon Prime, a STEM educational TV series featuring the latest bio-inspired technology and design advancements. Danni has also worked on other significant STEM shows, including Science the $#!* Out Of It for Facebook Watch, Strange Evidence on the Science Channel, Untamed Science for Pearson Publishing, and Ocean GEM.

A Miami native of Jamaican descent, Danni graduated from The University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric with a Marine Science/ Biology degree. At age 21, she co-founded the Big Blue & You along with her mom, a non-profit dedicated to inspiring and educating youth about marine science education through the arts and media. She also served for four years as a naturalist at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center, where she helped educate thousands of South Florida children about local marine ecosystems. Her new book for children 8 to 12, Bold Women In Science, tells the inspiring stories of 15 women who changed the course of science. In 2018, Danni was the spokesperson/host for the USA Science & Engineering Festival, which hosted over 300,000 attendees. She recently amazed the audience with her on-stage talents as the Celebrity Host for the Indianapolis Prize and is currently serving as a judge for the Tom Ford Plastic Innovation Prize 2021. Danni is a proud Board Member of the North American Association of Environmental Education. When she is not hosting, traveling, or on location for a production, Danni is an avid scuba diver, passionate curly girl, stand up paddleboarding enthusiast, social media influencer, and as her alter ego, the "Mocha Mermaid," Danni makes appearances all over the world educating children about conservation and the magnificence of our oceans.
Danni Washington