MoForever Alumni News Winter 2021

MoForever Winter 2021 | 28 lawyers from VMware also joined the MoFo pro bono team to conduct Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) clinics to assist “dreamers” who came to the United States as children with legal matters related to immigration policies. Danielle says, “I’m hopeful that we can continue to work with MoFo, not only on the active litigation matters but also on other pro bono projects that will positively impact the community as it relates to racial injustice, immigration, women’s rights, and other similar areas.” Danielle’s Advocacy Work Continues “So much more work is needed to address racial inequities,” Danielle says. She points to how the pandemic has amplified existing race and health disparities, causing an increase in food insecurity that already disproportionately impacts communities of color. To aid her local community, Danielle has served as an Alameda County Community Food Bank board member for several years, contributing as a hands-on volunteer and donor. She recently organized a group of VMware volunteers to distribute fresh produce and groceries to approximately 1,000 households at a drive-through site set up by the Food Bank in Oakland, California. They were joined by members of the 100 Black Men of the Bay Area. That week, the site hit the 1-million- pound mark in food distributed since its March 2020 opening. In what Danielle describes as “a vivid reminder that there is no single face of hunger,” she felt rewarded to serve others yet humbled to see so many people of different ages, races, and gender waiting in a long, winding line just to feed their families. Sights like this spur her on to address even more social injustice issues. “Food insecurity is not an isolated problem. It overlaps with others such as affordable housing, health issues, and economic and racial disparities,” Danielle says. “As such, I aim to support the Food Bank’s mission to not only distribute food but also to advance policy changes, cultivate supporters and donors, and increase awareness.” Hope Is Her Superpower Danielle recalls seeing many people living below the poverty line as she grew up in Mississippi. “I continue to see this in Alameda County. Through active engagement with non-profits and pro bono work, I hope to make a dent in these issues and improve the lives of others.” She takes inspiration from the words of Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative and author of the book Just Mercy : “Hope is our superpower; hope is what gets us to stand up when others say to sit down; hope is what gets us to speak when others say be quiet.” Danielle says, “I remain hopeful as I strive to make a difference in my community. Looking into the optimistic eyes of my two Black children keeps me motivated every day.” “I REMAIN HOPEFUL AS I STRIVE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN MY COMMUNITY. LOOKING INTO THE OPTIMISTIC EYES OF MY TWO BLACK CHILDREN KEEPS ME MOTIVATED EVERY DAY.”