Danielle Ponder

Danielle Ponder is a singer-songwriter and former public defender whose career bridges the worlds of music, law, and social justice. The sixth of seven children, Ponder pursued a legal career after her brother received a 20-year sentence under a three strikes law. She earned a Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law, where she received the Public Interest Law scholarship. Ponder served as a defense attorney and later as a diversity, equity and inclusion officer at the Rochester public defender's office, while simultaneously developing her career as a professional musician.

Ponder balanced her roles as a lawyer and performer, touring Europe with her band Danielle Ponder and the Tomorrow People and opening for artists including George Clinton, Ledisi, and The Roots. The group released the record "Blow Out the Sun," and Ponder created the multi-media show "For the Love of Justice," which addressed feminism and criminal and racial justice. She was recognized as a Top 10 Band to Watch by CITY Newspaper and received the "Best Band" Roc award. Ponder also delivered a TEDx Talk, discussing how music provided rejuvenation amid her demanding legal career.

After nearly a decade as a public defender in Rochester, Ponder transitioned to music full time, releasing her debut album, "Some of Us Are Brave," on the Future Classic label. The album title references the Black feminist anthology "All the Women Are White, All the Blacks Are Men, But Some of Us Are Brave," exploring themes of race, gender, and resilience. The album blends pop, R&B, blues, rock, and trip-hop, showcasing Ponder's vocal range and songwriting. A deluxe edition of "Some of Us Are Brave" expanded the tracklist to 14 songs, including live versions of singles such as "Creep," "Holding Me Down," and "Be Gentle."

Ponder has performed her song "Someone Like You" on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and appeared on "Late Night with Seth Meyers," "Live Wire," and CBS Saturday Morning's "Saturday Sessions." She has supported Marcus Mumford on tour and headlined shows across the United States, including a performance at Lincoln Center for Black HERstory Live and the BottleRock Napa Valley Music Festival.

Beyond her music career, Ponder is recognized for her advocacy in education funding, women's rights, and criminal justice reform. Her work has earned her the Teen Empowerment Peacemaker in Action Award and the Jessica Bain Community Excellence Award. She has been featured in publications such as American Bar Association Journal and The Guardian. Ponder integrates advocacy and empowerment into her music and performances, drawing on her experiences in both the legal and music industries.