Learning, Leading and Building Community

This month’s Culture Corner shines a spotlight on Danielle Boyle, Open Door’s current Columbus State Community College Social Work intern. Through her practicum experience, Danielle has become a valued member of our team, bringing compassion, curiosity and a genuine commitment to helping others thrive.

A Columbus, Ohio, native, Danielle’s journey to Open Door began through her social work internship. What started as a required practicum quickly became an opportunity to put her passion into practice. Inspired by the core values of social work, Danielle hopes to improve the quality of life for marginalized communities while empowering individuals to reach their full potential.

Family has always been at the heart of Danielle’s story. Raised alongside her older brother by their grandmother, she grew up in a close-knit family that taught her the importance of resilience, respect and caring for others. This year has been especially memorable as her family welcomed a new baby—and Danielle celebrated a milestone of her own by getting married in June. At home, she’s also greeted by Sabel, her energetic German Shepherd mix.

When asked what best represents her culture, Danielle points to Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly, an album she admires for its themes of identity, resilience and community. But if she could share one experience with the world, it wouldn’t be through music—it would be around a table.

“I’d invite everyone to a cookout,” Danielle says. “I’d want people to experience what it feels like to be welcomed, included and surrounded by people having fun together.”

That spirit comes alive every Thanksgiving, when her family’s table reflects a beautiful blend of traditions. Alongside classic favorites like turkey, macaroni and cheese, cornbread and pasta salad are Senegalese dishes such as jollof rice, dibi and bissap, as well as Greek specialties like lemon potatoes, gyros with tzatziki and baklava for dessert. Friends are always encouraged to bring dishes from their own cultures, making the holiday a celebration of diversity, connection and belonging.

For Danielle, learning about other cultures is one of the best ways to build meaningful relationships.

Those same values shape how she approaches her work at Open Door.

She believes every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Differences should be celebrated, kindness should be intentional and strong communities are built by creating spaces where everyone feels safe, welcomed and valued. Whether through a simple act of kindness or by offering a helping hand, Danielle believes small moments can make a lasting impact.

Outside of Open Door, Danielle enjoys reading horror, Black comedy, postmodern and contemporary fiction, with favorite authors including Kurt Vonnegut, Yoko Ogawa and Kazuo Ishiguro. She’s also passionate about music and enjoys discovering artists from a wide range of genres, although Kendrick Lamar remains one of her favorites. Most recently, she’s taken up skateboarding with friends as a new challenge.

Among the many lessons Danielle has learned during her internship, one stands out above the rest.

As Danielle continues her journey through Columbus State Community College and gains hands-on experience at Open Door, she is already making a meaningful impact on the people around her. Her compassion, openness to learning and belief in the power of community reflect the values we strive to live every day.

Thank you, Danielle, for sharing your story and for helping make Open Door a place where every person is welcomed, valued and empowered to grow.