Danielle Ponder
New York's Danielle Ponder has managed to take on two difficult careers in tandem — as a defense attorney in Rochester's public defender's office (and later a diversity, equity and inclusion officer there) and as a professional musician. After years of giving back to her community (inspired by her brother's own struggle in the justice system), Ponder recently stepped away from the law to pursue music full time. In October, she released her debut album, Some of Us Are Brave, on the Future Classic label.