Danelle-Jeanné Ligon
A California native, Danelle-Jeanné spent her formative years greatly influenced by her Great Grandmother—a woman who grew up during The Great Depression in the Mississippi River Valley and later went on to be a fashion designer, chef, community organizer, and educator. Molded not only by the in-home education she received, but also by the oral history that was passed down, Danelle-Jeanné inherited a rich narrative history and a strong story-telling foundation.A life-long author, she got her start by writing her own stories during elementary school after exhausting her household library. During her teenage years, this talent would culminate in a prediction from one of her teachers that she would one day be a successful writer. In her early twenties she first tasted such success as a copywriter penning copy for websites, marketing campaigns, slogans, taglines, scripts for commercials, speeches, op-eds, and more.Devoted to the practice of historical remembrance, and cultural preservation she now pours her love for stories, and skill for writing into narratives, poems, and scripts that present her heritage in a captivating way. With roots in the Mississippi River Valley region of Turtle Island, and New France, she is of mixed ancestry, primarily identifying with her Louisiana Creole (Cajun), & Chickasaw heritage; but, inspired by everyone who came before her. It's this rich history that prompts her to lean into her role not only as a griot, but, also, as a scholar, and as a community member.In addition to being a writer, Danelle-Jeanné is an equestrian, graphic designer, visual artist, writes and records original music as "Mrs.KnowDiamonds," and is a former tattoo artist.
