NAMI Rochester is very excited to welcome Danielle Ponder and Tomorrow People as the 2018 Jessica Henderson Event featured performers. This is an amazing opportunity to experience one of Rochester's hottest bands in an intimate venue. Danielle Ponder is the lead vocalist for Danielle Ponder and the Tomorrow People. In addition to receiving accolades as a musician and song writer, Danielle Ponder has an amazing story to tell. Her music is known to bring audiences to their feet, and the story behind the music will open your mind and your heart. The 2018 Jessica Henderson Event is certain to be a very special evening. Danielle Ponder and the Tomorrow People have mesmerized large audiences at the Rochester Lilac Festival, and the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival. Danielle and the band have also recently completed three incredibly successful European tours and have sold out countless shows across New York State. Danielle Ponder and the Tomorrow People was named one of the Eight Bands to Watch in 2016 by City Newspaper, and named the winner of the 2015 Roc Awards, "Best Local Band". Danielle Ponder and the Tomorrow People transcend musical genres with a blast of deep, powerful groove and soul. In 2016, Danielle Ponder and the Tomorrow People released their debut EP Blow Out the Sun. NAMI Rochester was fortunate to hear a couple of acapella songs performed by Danielle as a solo act to open the 2016 Jessica Henderson Event. This year she is coming with the entire band and will be sure to make her voice heard. It is clear that Danielle writes to empower and uplift. She fights stigma, bias injustice on a daily basis. Danielle's commitment and goes beyond her stage performance. She has worked j as a criminal court attorney for the Monroe County Public Defender's Office, and at the Office of Mental Health tasked with implementing a program on eliminating racial disparities for young people of color. Danielle lives the life of a community activist. She now promotes her message of personal empowerment and liberation one song at a time. We are extremely grateful that Danielle Ponder and the Tomorrow People have agreed to perform for the 2018 Henderson Event. Danielle is a true Rochester treasure and a dear friend of NAMI Rochester.

[source: NAMI Rochester mailing, 2018-Oct-2]