About Big Blue & You

Shaping future ocean stewards with the power of art, science, and heart.

Big Blue & You was born out of a dream to make marine science more accessible, especially for youth in underrepresented communities. After earning her degree in Marine Science/Biology from the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science, Danni Washington teamed up with her mother, business owner Michelle Swaby-Smith, to create something lasting for their community.

That dream became reality in 2008, when Danni won first place in Roxy’s “Follow Your Heart Tour” competition. Her prize - a $10,000 seed fund - helped launch the nonprofit, and Big Blue & You officially became a 501(c)(3) dedicated to inspiring and educating the next generation of ocean stewards through the power of art, science, and media.

From the start, the organization has been about activism, purpose, and passion. Michelle, a powerhouse in her own right, has been a guiding force and now serves as Executive Director. Danni, one of the first African American women to host an American science TV show, brings her on-camera storytelling skills to every part of the mission.

What We’re Doing Now

Today, Big Blue & You continues to grow as a small but mighty team, grounded in youth-driven impact, diverse leadership, and a deep commitment to empowering the next generation, especially young women of color. The heart of our work remains rooted in youth empowerment, community connection, and ocean advocacy.

Together, we’re building a future where young people lead the way in caring for our oceans. And this is just the beginning.

Honoring the Original Stewards of the Land and Sea

We would like to acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the occupied/unceded/seized territory of the Ais, the Tequesta, the Calusa, and today, the Seminole Tribe and the Miccosukee Tribe of Florida. We pay our respects to the Elders, both past and present, the people who have stewarded this land throughout the generations, as well as the historical and contemporary relationship between Indigenous peoples and their traditional homelands.

As a conservation advocacy group, it is our duty to preserve awareness of the historical aspects of the Florida environment alongside the initial caretakers of the land and water where we reside, study, and operate. We urge you to educate yourself on ways to support our local indigenous communities in their efforts to preserve Seminole and Miccosukee land and water rights, cultural practices, and environmental conservation.

It is our hope that recognizing the significance of the land and water helps us to better understand past harm and confront the enduring impacts of violence within our communities, paving the way towards healing.