Danielle Ricks Productions

09/22/2025

This 21st of September was an art-filled Sunday at the National Gallery of Art taking in the “first exhibition to explore photography’s impact on a cultural and aesthetic movement that celebrates Black history, identity, and beauty.”

Did I scream his name when I spotted Oggi Ogburn’s photo on display? Why yes… yes I did! And after making our way through the exhibit, guess who I ran into? You guessed it—Oggi himself (and Neville Waters, too)! What a treat.

The Black Arts Movement takes center stage in this powerful show featuring 150 works that trace the movement from its 1955 roots through 1985.

You’ll experience the bold vision of artists like Billy Abernathy, Romare Bearden, Kwame Brathwaite, Roy DeCarava, Doris Derby, Emory Douglas, and my BET fam Oggi Ogburn.

Don’t miss it—this exhibition runs through January 11, 2026.
See it now, while we can still celebrate art that speaks truth.

09/21/2025

Proud Producer and Mentor Moment! This afternoon, I had the absolute joy of watching our Digital Futures Institute fellows see their documentary, Emcees of MC, on the big screen at the Be More Film Festival. It was a thrill to watch the doc in a theater and be fully immersed in the story.

The festival “showcases exciting films, documentaries, and animations from talented artists in Maryland and beyond,” and being selected is such an incredible honor. I couldn’t be prouder of the fellows’ hard work, creativity, and powerful storytelling that brought this project to life.

📺 You can catch Emcees of MC on MCM Channel 21 or stream it on our YouTube channel
📅 Tuesday, September 23 | 7:00 PM

09/06/2025

The first impact of a deal between chip manufacturer Intel and the Trump Administration, which some economists and conservatives have criticized as potentially affecting free enterprise, is the suspension of an existing partnership with North Carolina Central University’s law school aimed at developing a pipeline for diverse recruits through the university’s Technology Law and Policy Center.

According to CBS News, Kevin Hassett, the director of the White House National Economic Council, indicated that this deal is potentially the first of many in his comments to reporters, an indication that set off the alarm bells of economists and conservatives alike.

Under the deal, the U.S. will now own stock in Intel.

https://www.blackenterprise.com/intel-ends-partnership-hbcu-trump-deal/

08/31/2025

Thank you to Montgomery County Public Schools for providing Montgomery Community Media with another summer of gifted Summer RISE students.

Summer RISE (Reimagining an Innovative Student Experience) is an initiative led by the Montgomery County Public Schools’ (MCPS) Department of Partnerships in collaboration with businesses, government agencies, higher education institutions, and nonprofit organizations. The program is for rising MCPS juniors and seniors to participate in a career-based learning opportunity during the summer. Students can engage in hands-on learning opportunities related to their field of interest.

You can check my interview from the attached MCPS recap video and a playlist of the work our Mymcm Creates Summer RISE students produced here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLv_6bR2NJ-Gz2Df2etzqs8YmmBl5oZhPF&si=NJTDV4ETbncIJw0D

https://youtu.be/SbftlnXGhGw

Take a look back at an unforgettable summer of growth, exploration, and hands-on learning with our MCPS Summer RISE students at Montgomery Community Media!Th...

08/31/2025

From the studio to the classroom, I’ve spent my career telling stories, producing media, and shaping conversations in broadcast and digital spaces. Now, I’m excited to return that experience to the classroom at Howard University Cathy Hughes School of Communications, where I’ll teach the next generation of media leaders.

There’s nothing more rewarding than helping students connect the dots between industry and academia. My joy comes from preparing them to navigate a rapidly evolving media landscape with creativity, confidence, and purpose.

Here’s to another semester of shaping young minds, sparking innovation, and keeping Howard Bison excellence alive!

08/31/2025

The Montgomery Community Media Digital Futures Institute Fellowship is in its final week and I could not be prouder of the way these digital storytellers showed up and showed out!

The 12 weeks flew by and I’m a little sad to say goodbye to this talented group of fellows. But all good things must born to an amazing end. The documentaries have been edited and mastered; the only things left is the private screening and air dates.

Thank you to Councilmember Evan Glass for the sit-down interview at our Mymcm Creates MCM satellite location and to our CEO, Jasmine White, for coming to our Silver Spring satellite media lab and sharing wisdom with our fellows.

Stay tuned for the trailers and air dates for the fellows' docs!

08/14/2025

Thanks to for keeping it real at the “GUARDIANS OF TRUTH:
PROTECTING AMERICA’S
4TH ESTATE IN AN ERA
OF CRISIS panelo Wednesday. He shared the importance of local media and also the business of journalism as it relates to corporate entities. I throughly enjoyed his perspective.

08/04/2025

In a world where American journalists are under attack and mainstream media is increasingly shaped by corporate interests and advertiser influence, public access and a genuinely free press matter more than ever.

I’m proud to work at Montgomery Community Media, where we believe in putting the power of storytelling back into the hands of the people. No filters. No spin. No gatekeepers. Just truth, access, and accountability.

I’m on set doing the work that matters.

08/04/2025

We were honored to welcome Councilmember Evan Glass, At-Large Montgomery County Councilmember, to our MCM media lab to speak with our DFI LGBTQIA+ & BIPOC Fellows! 🏳️‍🌈

In a powerful and heartfelt conversation, Councilmember Glass shared insights on civil rights, uplifting underserved communities, and how he proudly brought County PRIDE to Montgomery County. 🌈🏛️

Originally recorded for segment in a long-form package as part of our fellows’ final project, the discussion was so impactful and inspiring that we decided... it deserves its own spotlight! 🌟

🎧 Stay tuned for our new DFI Fellowship Podcast — launching soon with this incredible interview as our debut episode.

Thank you, Evan Glass, for your transparency, passion, and hope for a more inclusive future.

08/04/2025

06/08/2025

That time, I went to the Cowboy Carter concert and dressed in 🎶 “denim on denim on denim,”🎶 but I was so into the show that I chose to only snap a few photos. Needless to say, a good time was had!

06/08/2025

Had a blast teaching a hybrid class on the top tips for crafting effective Open AI prompts. Online and in-person, participants learned how craft promos to get the most out of using AI to increase work flow.

Whether you’re new to prompting or ready to level up your skills, this was the perfect space to learn, create, and experiment together.

Missed it? No worries! Be sure to check out our upcoming MCM media + tech classes.