Danyel Smith

Danyel Smith is an accomplished writer, producer, and content strategist with over 15 years of experience in developing premium entertainment and cultural narratives. Currently serving as a contributing writer for The New York Times, Danyel crafts long-form cultural journalism across music, television, film, and literature. As the principal and chief creative at danamo.works, Danyel specializes in longform storytelling and has collaborated on memoirs and documentaries for major media brands. Danyel is the critically acclaimed author of "Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop," which became a national bestseller. Previous positions include serving as a senior sports media executive at ESPN, leading Billboard Magazine through its digital transformation, and holding editorial leadership roles at VIBE Media Group. Danyel has also contributed to academia as an adjunct professor at The New School and as a visiting professor at Saint Mary's College of California. Educational qualifications include an MFA in Fiction from The New School and studies at the University of California, Berkeley, and Northwestern University.