Danielle Drake-Burnette previously known on stage as SoulsJourney is a writer / spoken word poet / self-proclaimed culinary artist originally from Los Angeles currently living in the SF Bay Area.   She was a member of the 2002 Oakland Poetry Slam Team and was the 2003 Oakland Poetry Slam Champion.  Danielle is the founder and Executive Director of Creation Cocoon for Girls, an Oakland, CA community-based organization serving girls 8-18. Creation Cocoon teaches girls’ empowerment and self esteem through the traditional arts including: creative writing, crochet, jewelry making, sewing, bath & body creations, international cooking, etc.

Danielle obtained a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, completed coursework in the MFA in Creative Writing for Poetry at San Francisco State University, and is currently pursuing a Masters in Counseling Psychology in Expressive Art Therapy at California Institute of Integral Studies. She has also participated with several community organizations including Pivotal Point Youth Services, and Youth Speaks.  Her book, Cast Iron Life: a collection of poems and recipes was released Fall 2009.  Danielle resides in the East Bay, CA with her husband William and a community of lovely family and friends.