Big Blue & You is dedicated to inspiring and educating youth about OCEAN conservation through ARTS, SCIENCE and MEDIA.
WHAT WE DO
PLASTIC FREE CITIES
We’re leading the way to empower South Florida youth to protect the ocean by working with local businesses to transition away from single-use plastics!
In partnership with Ocean Conservancy, Debris Free Oceans, Miami-Dade County’s Plastic Free 305, and funded by NOAA, the program trains students in advocacy, business outreach, and community clean-ups. In 2023, 57 students from four high schools earned 370 volunteer hours and significantly increased their knowledge of plastic pollution and sustainable business practices.
WHO WE ARE
Big Blue & You is the first ocean conservation nonprofit to be founded by African American women and is a passionate proponent of intersectional environmentalism and decolonizing the natural world. In 2008, when she was twenty-one, marine biologist and science show host Danni Washington founded Big Blue & You with her mother, businesswoman Michelle Swaby-Smith. For the past 15 years, the organization has supported emerging environmentalists — especially young women of color — and equipped young leaders with STEAM tools for ocean advocacy. We believe that equitable access to outdoor spaces is critical to engaging BIPOC communities and that people must experience what they are asked to protect.
“Youth can influence positive change and find creative solutions to help our precious oceans survive. We are dedicated to supporting and inspiring them!”
- Danni and Michelle
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