RespectAbility Entertainment Professionals Lab, Summer 2023
Danielle Monique
Danielle Monique (she/they) is a Black queer nonbinary woman who writes short stories, screenplays, and essays primarily about the effects of marginalization and finding community.
Originally from South Texas, her “cities I’ve called home” count is now at ten, including Houston, Baltimore, Minneapolis, and, currently, Los Angeles. When not writing, she can be found communing with the ancestors, playing video games that go easy on the heart, or taking sass from her dog.
They managed a B.A. in English and Africana Studies from Mount Holyoke College. After a transverse myelitis diagnosis in 2021, they decided life was too short to do what you hate. Now a creative writing MFA dropout, they’re pursuing opportunities within their passions of publishing and animation.
In the world of publishing, she writes and edits freelance. She serves as the administrative assistant for an organization of children’s book creatives. She also founded and acts as editor-in-chief of Stellium Literary.
In the animation industry, they have had mentorships and courses under affinity organizations including Women in Animation, Queer Vox, Black N Animated, and Rise Up Animation. They’ve pitched a show concept to a major network. In the spring of 2023, they’ve recently closed out a mentorship with the Netflix Animation Foundations Program, as well as their first writers’ room on an indie animation project.
Learn More
After an extensive search and interview process, 20 individuals were invited to participate in the Los Angeles Cohort of RespectAbility’s 2023 Entertainment Lab taking place May 1 – June 9, 2023. This 6-week Lab aims to develop and elevate the talent pipeline of disabled entertainment professionals working behind-the-scenes in television, film, and streaming, while connecting them with industry professionals and creatives. Participants include people with physical, cognitive, sensory, mental health, and other disabilities ranging in age from people in their 20’s through their 50’s. The Lab is a recipient of The Roddenberry Foundation Impact Award.
