Danielle Pojah shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Danielle, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I spend the first 90 minutes of my day the same way every day. I spend about 15 minutes washing my face and making a cup of coffee, then I open my Bible app and dive into the Word of God to spend time with the Lord Jesus Christ, followed by time in prayer. I am convinced that this is the BEST way to start the day! Aligning our minds with the mind of God brings clarity, peace, and focus to the day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Danielle Pojah, and I’m the Founder and Executive Director of Queen Academy, Inc. At Queen Academy, our heart is to walk alongside young women in foster care, alternative education, and the juvenile justice system—girls who are often overlooked or misunderstood—and support them through Christian mentoring and genuine, holistic care.
Our mission is simple but deeply important: to make sure these girls don’t get lost in the complexities of the social service system and grow into women still carrying the weight of crisis. We connect them with caring Christian mentors who offer guidance, consistency, and hope—something every young woman deserves.
Through our programs, we help girls build confidence and discover their worth while also giving them practical tools for life. We pour into them through self-worth and leadership development, life skills, academic support, career exploration, entrepreneurship, and community service.
While there are many mentoring programs in our area, Queen Academy is unique because we intentionally focus on girls in foster care, alternative schools, kinship care, and juvenile court cases. These are young women who often fall through the cracks, and we’re committed to making sure they’re seen, supported, and set up to thrive.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I never imagined myself as a social entrepreneur. I thought the only “real” path in life was to get a four-year degree, find a stable job, and stay there. Growing up in a low-income community, I didn’t personally know anyone who had started their own business, so entrepreneurship felt like something other people did—never something meant for me.
As I’ve grown, especially in my relationship with the Lord, that belief has completely shifted. I’ve learned to see myself the way He sees me—creative, visionary, and equipped with a heart for serving those in need. Now I understand that the gifts and passion He placed in me were always pointing toward this work; I just needed time and faith to recognize it.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, I would tell her to focus on building a relationship with God and to let Him show her who she truly is in Jesus Christ. So often, childhood trauma, insecurity, fear, and shame push us to create an avatar—a false identity we use to cope or escape. That’s exactly what happened to me, and it pulled me further from God instead of toward Him.
I would gently tell my younger self to run to God, to trust Him to make her whole, and to let Him reveal the real “her” beneath all the hurt and pretending. I’d remind her not to waste time chasing things that never satisfy, because everything she’s looking for—love, purpose, identity—can only be found in Him.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
A long-term project I’m committed to—no matter how long it takes—is opening a transitional home for young women ages 16–21 who are preparing to age out of foster care or step into independent living. It’s a big vision for us, especially since Queen Academy is still a small nonprofit with just two programs, but I believe it’s absolutely necessary.
Every year, hundreds of young women across our country age out of foster care with no tools, no resources, and no support system. Far too many end up vulnerable to sex trafficking, homelessness, early parenthood, mental health struggles, and cycles of crisis that could have been prevented with the right support.
Creating a safe, stable home where these young women can learn life skills, receive mentorship, pursue education, and transition into adulthood with confidence is a dream I’m fully committed to—no matter how long it takes to make it a reality.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That I loved Jesus Christ with my whole heart, and that I gave everything I had so that other people, especially young people, would know Him and love Him too.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.QueenAcademy.org
- Instagram: @QueenAcademyMentoring
- Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/QueenAcademyMentoring
