Danielle Bayard Jackson is a Tampa native who specializes in teaching women about the power of connections. Seen on Oprah, she’s the owner of TELL Public Relations and Friend Forward, and she hosts the Friend Forward podcast.
ABOUT ME
I was born in Belgium and moved a lot as a child because my father was in the Army. We settled here when I was in fourth grade and I’m so proud to call Tampa home.
I was a high school teacher in Hillsborough County and I had a front-row seat to the ways that issues of belonging and connection impacted everything for my students – their confidence, academic performance and even their attendance.
When I left the classroom and entered public relations, I was surprised to find that my charismatic, high-achieving female clients were also secretly struggling with friendship issues, but no one would know it because they looked so accomplished on the outside.
I love synthesizing and simplifying information and presenting it to different audiences in creative ways. No matter what I’m doing, I’m often teaching. It’s who I am. So, for the last six years, I’ve been studying the latest research to help females strengthen their social bonds. People often think of friendship as a recreational pastime that you can push into the margins of your life. But it’s a wellness imperative.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
When I am not working, I’m either spending time with my husband and kids or running my mouth in book clubs around Tampa.
I like to take my kids to the Riverwalk and jog until I run out of steam. It’s nice to be able to get some cardio in while taking in the views of downtown.
My favorite place to enjoy arts and culture is The Straz. Recently a few girlfriends and I saw the Dance Theatre of Harlem Ballet – my first live ballet experience. I also love going to Jannus Live or Curtis Hixon for live music because there’s something special about enjoying good music under the stars.
I love visiting different neighborhoods in our area because the vibe changes so much from street to street. Depending on my mood and the kind of experience I’m looking for, I’ll switch it up.
For date night, The Edition is such an elevated experience. I also love COPA and Madame Fortune is next on my list.
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Want Even More Local Knowledge? Check out these other insider secrets here. Or if you’re looking to advertise, click here.
