Danyel Smith Wilson (born Danyel Smith; 1965) is an American magazine editor, journalist, and novelist . [1] Smith is the former and first African-American editor of Billboard [2] and Vibe magazine, [3] respectively. She is author of two novels and a history of African-American women in pop music. [4] [5]

Award-winning journalist and author of Shine Bright: A Very Personal HIstory of Black Women in Pop, Danyel Smith brings cultural stories to life through her podcast, Black Girl Songbook, the New York Times Magazine, and HBO’s Music Box documentaries.

“A mixture…of confidence and West Coast cool,” the author Danyel Smith makes award-winning journalism, produces documentary, creates and hosts podcasts, and leads media teams to greatness. Learn More

Feb 20, 2024 · Since her early days as a journalist, Danyel Smith has made it her career mission to put Black music front-and-center in mainstream media. She made her mark with intimate...

Aug 2, 2023 · Award-winning journalist Danyel Smith shines a bright light on Black music and reflects on her service to Black culture.

Award-winning journalist Danyel Smith is the author of the forthcoming Shine Bright: A Personal History of Black Women in Pop (One World / Random House, April 2022). Danyel is also host of Black Girl Songbook, a Spotify podcast that centers the sounds and stories of Black women.

Mar 18, 2021 · Danyel Smith sits on a coastline, hair blowing in the wind, as she looks into the camera. Photo taken at Oak Bluffs, MA in 1993. (Carl Posey) A s a self-described creative Black girl with hustle, Smith worked at a copy store on Oakland’s Piedmont Avenue when she was younger, and later at a more posh position at Saks Fifth Avenue in San ...

DANYEL SMITH is completing 'Shine Bright: How Black Women Took Over American Pop and Changed Culture Forever' (One World / Random House, 2020). Until recently, Danyel was a senior editor and producer at ESPN, and before that, a 2013-14 John S. Knight Journalism Fellow at Stanford University.

DANYEL SMITH is completing 'Shine Bright: How Black Women Took Over American Pop and Changed Culture Forever' (One World / Random House, 2020). Until recently, Danyel was a senior editor and producer at ESPN, and before that, a 2013-14 John S. Knight Journalism Fellow at Stanford University.

Danyel Smith is an award-winning journalist and the host of Black Girl Songbook, a music talk show that centers the sounds and stories of black women (The Ringer/Spotify). Danyel’s career has been laser-focused on black creatives making brilliant things.