Daniell Washington is an American marine biologist, science communicator, television host, and activist for ocean conservation.[1] Washington was the first African American woman to host a television series about science.[1] She founded the nonprofit organization Big Blue and You.[2] Washington is seen on STEM-related shows like Mission Unstoppable, Science the $#*! Out of It, and Xploration Nature Knows Best.[1][2] She is featured in NOVA's “Ocean Invaders.”[3]
Washington grew up in Miami, Florida.[4] Her family is from Jamaica.[5][6] She loved the ocean since she was six years old.[1] She graduated from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science in 2008.[1] She was the only woman of color in her academic department at college.[1]
When she was twenty-one she co-founded the nonprofit organization Big Blue and You with her mother.[2][1] Big Blue and You is a group that inspires young people to care about ocean conservation.[2] Washington help children learn about the ocean by helping them make art from recycled materials.[2] Washington started the organization after she won the "Follow Your Heart Tour" award.[7][8][5] She won US $10,000.[9] She used the prize money to start the Art Sea Festival.[2] The Art Sea Festival allows children to talk to scientists and artists who care about the ocean.[1]
She also used the prize money to make the first episode of a television show for children about science.[5] In 2016 Washington became the host of her own show on the Fox station “Xploration Station” where she talks about how scientists are taking inspiration from nature.[4][10] The show lasted two seasons.[11]
Washington co-hosted the series Science the $#*! Out of It with comedian Krystyna Hutchinson on Facebook Watch.[12] In the series, they answered questions from the internet.[4]
Washington wants women, non-binary people, and people of color to get excited about science.[1][2] She wants them to understand they can be scientists.[1] That is why she is on many television shows.[1][2] She also started the podcast 21st Century Mermaids.[1] That podcast features women and non-binary ocean conservationists.[1]
Washington won the "Follow Your Heart Tour" prize from ROXY.[8] She also won a "TogetherGreen" fellowship from the National Audobon Society and Toyota.[8] Washington used the TogetherGreen Fellowship to teach 15 students filmmaking.[13] They will make public service announcements about conserving water.[7] Washington was also named one of TheGrio's 100 in 2012.[7]