Award-Winning Author & Filmmaker | Founder of, Film, Author & Photography Festival |
Miss Black Ohio Pageant, Team Leader | Writing Coach | Speaker
Proud Member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc.
Danielle D. Smith has spent years giving her all in every aspect of her life while overcoming the pain of physical and emotional abuse, as well as rejection from her parents and family. Although these experiences once gave her a reason to have a pity party, they eventually became her strength and her “why.” With God’s help, Danielle used her pain as fuel to prove the doubters wrong and create a life of purpose.
Today, she is the proud mother of a beautiful daughter, an author, filmmaker, community leader, speaker, and writing and publishing consultant who helps others share their stories and messages with the world. In April 2026, Danielle received an Honorary Doctorate in Humanitarianism in recognition of her dedication to advocacy, service, and empowering others.
Danielle expanded her role as an author beyond her book, Yesterday’s Tomorrow, which was released in December 2016 under the pen name Danielle Seck. The book is a firsthand account of the abuse she endured as a child. After finding the courage to speak openly about her pain, Danielle began using her experiences to inspire others to break their silence and begin their own healing journeys.
In November 2016, Danielle was sworn in as a Guardian Ad Litem with CASA—Court Appointed Special Advocates. CASA had been a safe haven for Danielle when she was removed from her home as a child because of abuse and neglect. Her experience strengthened her commitment to being “for the child” and serving as a voice for children who need to be heard, protected, and supported.
In July 2019, she adapted Yesterday’s Tomorrow into the award-winning short film Don’t Be Quiet. The film provides a visual account of her story and guides audiences through the difficult but powerful journey from victim to victor.
As a result of the film’s success, Danielle has been invited by conferences and organizations across the country to teach authors how to adapt their literary projects for the screen. She is also a passionate speaker who brings people together through shared experiences, helping others understand that they do not have to begin the healing process alone.
During the summer of 2019, Danielle established a writers’ club in Ohio. By the winter of that same year, she began offering online classes focused on the art of storytelling. Since then, she has shared her expertise in writing, publishing, storytelling, and adapting books into films in cities across the country.
While teaching at Ohio Media School, Danielle found herself engaged in an in-depth conversation with a student about the student’s future in media. That conversation sparked the initial idea for the Columbus Film, Author & Photography Festival. After speaking with business strategist Lucinda Cross, Danielle began envisioning the possibilities of creating a platform that would ignite young people’s passion for media while teaching them to work with excellence and pursue their dreams.
That vision became the Columbus Film, Author & Photography Festival, a multidisciplinary celebration created to showcase local, national, and international artists while intentionally highlighting and supporting the creative work of young people.
Danielle’s efforts have not gone unrecognized. Below is a list of awards and acknowledgments that have been presented to this amazing literary artist and creator:
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2026 Honorary Doctorate in Humanitarianism
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2026 A-Lister named by Big Book in Business
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2025 Inspirational Woman in Media Award
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2023 Recipient in, Who’s Who in Black Columbus
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2023 Pageant Coach for Miss Black Ohio
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2022 Program Advisor Ashland University Women in Leadership
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2022 Speaker at Confident Women R.O.A.R. Tea
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2022 Panelist at the Women Who Write Conference
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2022 Judge panelist Miss Black Ohio
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2021 Lead Instructor at the Act Like an Author, Think Like a Business Conference
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2021 & 2019 Keynote Speaker at the Miss Black Ohio Pageant
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2020 Winner of the Indie Author Project Regional Contest
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2020 Graduate of the Path To Publishing MBA in Publishing 60-hour Program
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2020-2021 Path To Publishing Literary Consulting Verification Program
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2020-2021 Path To Publishing Certified Literary Instructor/Educator Program
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2020 Weekly Guest Literary Expert on Xtreme Live Talk Show
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2020 VIP Presenter at the Successful Black Women Summit
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2020 Participant in the Documentary No Longer Silent, The Conversation, with Puissance Maison Productions
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2020 Nominated for Author of the Year, Best Group Performance, and Best Drama Performance at the Kingdom Image Awards
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2020 Mistress of Ceremony at the “100 Healed The Experience” Virtual Conference
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2020 Official Selection at the Columbus International Film & Animation Festival
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2020 Workshop Presenter at “Gamechanger” Conference in Atlanta
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2019 Official Selection at the Tylerman Film Festival
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2019 Won Catalyst for Change Award at GloryReelz Christian Film Fest
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2019 Official Selection of Book at the GloryReelz Christian Film Fest and Writer’s Lab
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2019 Commencement Speaker at Whitehall Preparatory and Fitness Academy School
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2019 Nomination for Community Service at the Social Justice Awards
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2019 Nominated for Author of the Year for Beyond The Book Media
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2019 Nomination for Best Group Performance and Best Drama Performance at the Kingdom Image Awards for Her Book to Film
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2019 Workshop Presenter at the Act Like an Author, Think Like a Business Conference in Las Vegas
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2018 Honored for Community Work by Greater Harvest Church
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2018 Awarded Author of the Year from Path to Publishing
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2018 Mistress of Ceremony at Black Career Women’s Network
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2018 Actress in the Stage Play The Man Store
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2017 Speaker at Unlock Your Voice City Tour with R&B Singer Michel’e
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2017 Keynote Speaker at Miss Muslimah Pageant USA