Meet our team

 I am Danielle’s mom, and she is my only daughter. I knew she was special when she came into this world. From the time she could, Danielle would rip off the frilly dresses I wanted her to wear. She always knew what she wanted in life and nothing was going to stop her. Danielle was so wise beyond her years, from an early age. As she flourished into her young adulthood, we became best friends - talking for hours each day sharing our long-winded details of every little thing. Danielle was small in stature, but she filled a room and this world with strength and passion for her cause of social justice. She leaves a void in me and in this world that can never be filled. Danielle called me her ‘rock’ and now I know how much she was mine. 

I have been friends with Winde for 45 years plus.  Winde lived in Vegas when she had Jake and Danielle.  We made visits to each other through the years so I watched Danielle grow into a beautiful young woman with a strong passion for righting the wrongs in the world around race and social justice.  I was able to connect with her on a deeper level the last few years as we connected to talk through the challenges in her life.  She and I shared the need to advocate for those who are marginalized in this world.  Danielle is a force to be reckoned with!  

I was lucky enough to walk into my 5th grade classroom and have an assigned seat next to Danielle. Within seconds (literally), we became inseparable. Danielle was my childhood. We did everything together, with a laugh. Danielle taught me how to be strong & kind through all situations in life. Although much shorter than me, Danielle made sure she was the loudest in the room, especially for those without a voice. I credit my entire childhood and adolescence to Danielle and the experiences we had together. I now see Danielle almost everyday in the hummingbirds that visit my yard and follow me on walks - She was always small, but boy did her wings flap hard & loud.

I met Danielle in middle school and she has been my best friend ever since. Even at such a young age, Danielle was profoundly unique. Her warmth and kindness drew me in like a big hug. No matter where we went, I always knew I was safe and cared for around Danielle. Her intellect and quick-wit provided endless hours of laughter and fun. Our friendship spanned the distance when she moved away in high school. My favorite memories are of the nights we'd spend at Winde's house (or as we call her- "Momma"). We'd all sit, talk, vent, plan, laugh, cry, and generally just love and support one another. Danielle's passing left a hole in me that won't fill up until I hear her laugh again. But, I know that our friendship will span this distance too. For the time being, DIG DEEP will spread her warmth and kindness to everyone we possibly can. 

I met Danielle at Old Dominion University at the first Humanities Behind Bars meeting we both attended. Both of us were referred to Humanities Behind Bars by professors, and we both loved, learned, and found community there. HBB needed a student club president and a treasurer, so we both stepped into unfamiliar roles to do what we could to build something we both strongly believe in. When she shared a creative writing piece at our first fundraiser, I was so impressed by her writing ability and the way she was able to honestly and vulnerably share her dreams for a better world. Not only an incredible writer, Danielle was an incredible friend and support system to so many, sharing her space, time, money, and heart to anyone who needed it. I miss our car rides and philosophical talks and fun nights working and laughing. She was always so full of life and love with the largest capacity for forgiveness. Even her fighting spirit came from a place of love and care. She would always take an opportunity to debate anyone because she believed in the worth of every friend and stranger, and knew everyone had an opportunity to learn and grow and build a new and better world. I am lucky to be able to carry on her work connecting incarcerated people with pen pals so we can dream of better worlds together.