Uncrowned Community Builders

Danielle Roberts is a cause-driven leader who is passionate about strengthening her community. With a commitment to nurturing the potential of youth, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility, Danielle has proudly served as Executive Director of the William-Emslie YMCA for the past 6 years.

Danielle has been leading the effort to revitalize the William-Emslie YMCA, the primary YMCA location serving the City of Buffalo. Under her leadership, the William-Emslie Y has seen unprecedented increases in membership, summer day camp, and school age childcare programming. Critical new programs have been established to positively impact community health; including, diabetes prevention programming, a teen leaders club, youth basketball leagues and other programs. To expand the Y's impact and reach, Danielle has developed partnerships with professional athletes, artists, and community organizations.

The William-Emslie YMCA along with its partners continues to address the fact that African-American teens are 3 times more likely to drown than their white counterparts due to lack of access to water safety training and swim instruction in the African-American community. Together, they are working to increase the number of African American swimmers on a competitive level and raise public awareness around the issue of water safety.

Danielle currently serves as a trainer for YUSA, specializing in diversity and cultural lens training. She has a diverse professional and community service background with several years in banking treasury management, proven sales expertise, teaching and training experience, public speaking, management, event planning, grant writing and as a trained performing artist. She serves as the Executive Director of Entertaining Angels Productions, a faith-based performing arts group. From a young child her passion has always been dance. As a professional dancer, Danielle has performed with several dance companies throughout her career. A versatile talent, Danielle is trained in several styles of dance including: tap, ballet, jazz, modern, African and Liturgical praise dance. Danielle also worked as a Professional NFL Cheerleader, as a member of the Buffalo Jills for 3 years.

She is a graduate of the University at Buffalo, with a Bachelor of Arts, Social Sciences Interdisplinary Health and Human Services and Early Childhood Education. Currently working on her MBA. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated., Buffalo Jills Alumni Association, National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Buffalo Urban League Young Professionals as well as a member of Elim Christian fellowship. A proud native of Buffalo, Danielle is a loving wife, mother. Danielle strongly believes that "Life is a gift from God that offers us the opportunity and privilege to unwrap each new day and give back more."