At the age of 21, Daniell 'Danni' Washington, a graduate of the University of Miami, founded the Big Blue & You Foundation to educate and empower youth to become stewards of this blue planet through service learning, visual arts, and media. For nearly three years, she served as an on-camera host and science filmmaker with Untamed Science which produced over 200 educational science videos for textbooks distributed by Pearson Publishing. In 2010, Danni became the director of the One Water Workshop, a 5-day filmmaking workshop created by the Miami World Cinema Center (the first non-profit film studio), where high school students create public service announcements about water conservation issues.

With nearly 6 million people residing in South Florida, it’s no surprise that the Everglades, mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and coral reefs are all facing significant threats. Without the presence of these essential ecosystems, local residents will be negatively impacted in countless ways. Urban populations need to gain a better understanding about their connection to the surrounding environment through relevant and engaging awareness campaigns and initiatives.

As a Toyota TogetherGreen Fellow, Danni expanded the Big Blue & You Foundation and the One Water Workshop deeper into Miami’s urban community to reach normally underserved high school students. Select students had the opportunity to participate in a five-day intensive training program that completely immerses students in the process of video pre-production, production, and post-production. Students came away with finished public service announcements about Florida aquatic resources, and they served as leaders for a school-wide service project with the Reclamation Project, restoring mangrove, fresh water, and tropical hardwood hammock areas in Miami-Dade County.

This young old marine biologist, world traveler, and environmental advocate continues to focus her energy on using any creative medium to encourage today's young generation to love our natural environment which will ultimately ensure a bright and sustainable future.