For more than a decade, Big Blue & You has used science and art to inspire, educate, and empower youth to become ocean advocates. Marine biologist Danni Washington and her mother, Michelle Swaby-Smith, a Miami-based businesswoman, established the organization in 2008, when Danni was 21. Danni is the first African-American woman of color to host an American science show; currently, she is a correspondent on CBS’s “Mission Unstoppable” and host of Fox + Amazon’s “Xploration Nature Knows Best,” among other projects.

As Black female founders, Danni and Michelle work to address the pressing need to support emerging environmental leaders, especially young women of color. Over the past 12 years, Big Blue & You has stayed true to its mission of inspiring ocean conservation activism. In direct service, the organization has connected 3,000 young leaders with STEAM resources developed by artists, scientists, and environmentalists. Danni currently serves as our Executive Director, and Michelle is our Board Chair.