By Les Ong on November 25, 2025
In the heart of Newark’s Tri-City area, a powerful movement is taking shape. Danica Miller, founder of The Social Ish Starting Society, is on a mission to transform lives through the power of words, storytelling, and personal narrative. This community service organization represents more than just another nonprofit startup. It embodies a deeply personal commitment to empowerment, education, and lasting social change.
For Danica Miller, community service isn’t just a calling. It’s a legacy. Born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, Danica comes from a family deeply rooted in education and community engagement. Her father, a prominent Newark native and community member, instilled in her the importance of giving back and creating positive change from within.
“I’ve always been a person of community service,” Danica explains. “I’ve been brought up in a community service-oriented family. Most of my parents were educators, which also led me to have a strong belief in education and giving back. I’m basically trying to leave a legacy for my son, for my nieces, my nephews, and to also give back to those that need a helping hand.”
This commitment to Newark runs deep. Having spent her entire life in the city, Danica maintains strong community ties that fuel her passion for service. She views her work as continuing the legacy her father started, a duty and obligation that drives every aspect of The Social Ish Starting Society.
What sets The Social Ish Starting Society apart is Danica’s authentic approach to leadership. She doesn’t speak from a place of judgment or distant observation. Instead, she leads by example, drawing from her own lived experiences to connect with those she serves.
“The things that I’m trying to combat or the issues that I’m trying to address are issues that I have encountered personally, that I’ve overcome personally, that I have dealt with personally,” Danica shares. “I’m not looking from the outside in, but I have been where those individuals have been.”
This perspective, forged through personal triumph and transformation, informs every aspect of her organization. As a spoken word artist and published author, Danica understands firsthand how writing and storytelling can become powerful tools for healing, growth, and empowerment.
The Social Ish Starting Society offers a comprehensive range of services designed to empower youth, minorities, and underserved communities throughout the Newark, Arlington, and East Orange areas. Through literary seminars, spoken word workshops, and classes on various writing techniques and communication skills, the organization provides individuals with the tools they need to find and amplify their own voices.
The organization’s approach is inclusive and welcoming. There are no specific demographic requirements. The doors are open to all individuals seeking empowerment through literary leadership. Whether through personal narratives, storytelling, or spoken word performance, participants discover new ways to express themselves and connect with others.
Danica’s vision extends beyond simple skill-building. She believes in the transformative power of personal stories and aims to create a space where every voice is valued and heard. This philosophy guides the organization’s mission and shapes its programming.
While building The Social Ish Starting Society, Danica continues her work in the allied medical field, where she has served for over 15 years. As a medical office administrator with certificates in patient care, she has worked across various specialties, from internal medicine and pediatrics to gynecology and mental health. This diverse background has equipped her with valuable skills in organization, communication, and compassion that she brings to her community work.
Her dual commitment demonstrates the dedication required to bring a vision to life. By day, she serves patients in the medical field. In her other hours, she pours her energy into building an organization that will serve her community for generations to come.
At the core of The Social Ish Starting Society is Danica’s passion for creative expression. As a published author, her book “IJS: A Collection, Poetic Social Commentary” showcases her talent for weaving personal experience with broader social observations. Available on Amazon and through her personal website, the book offers readers insight into her perspective and artistic voice.
As a spoken word artist, Danica regularly performs at various open mics, bringing poetry to life through performance. She is currently planning an author meet and greet event, tentatively scheduled for December, which will feature an open mic component. This event represents the kind of community gathering she envisions: spaces where people come together to share, listen, and connect through the power of words.
Danica’s approach to building The Social Ish Starting Society is strategic and thoughtful. She has recently been accepted into the National Women’s Association, a milestone that opens doors to valuable resources and connections. She is also a certified volunteer for New Jersey Cares and a certified reader for the Write a Miracle organization. Additionally, her membership in the Community Literary Initiative (CLI) connects her with fellow literary advocates and professionals.
With a board of directors that includes her son Sijade Nedd and her sister Camille Miller, Danica is working toward achieving full 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. This goal drives her current efforts as she seeks mentorship, education, and guidance from established organizations. Through consultations and partnerships, she is building the infrastructure necessary to expand her organization’s reach and impact.
Looking ahead five years, Danica envisions The Social Ish Starting Society as a fully functioning and operational nonprofit organization, actively providing services and empowering the community. Her mission is clear: to help people in her community do better and feel better through the power of literary expression.
Beyond individual transformation, Danica believes in the potential for collective change. Her organization’s tagline captures this spirit perfectly: “Get up, stand up, and start some social-ish.” It’s a call to action that invites everyone to become active participants in creating positive change.
Perhaps Danica’s most powerful message is also her simplest: every person’s story is valuable and important. This belief forms the philosophical foundation of The Social Ish Starting Society and drives every program, workshop, and initiative.
“It is through those personal stories and narratives, along with the power of the pen, we will be able to inspire, promote, spark true social change,” Danica affirms.
In a world where many voices go unheard, The Social Ish Starting Society offers a platform, a community, and a path forward. Through workshops, seminars, and creative expression, individuals discover their own power and learn to use their voices effectively.
For Danica, this work represents more than a community service project. It’s a deeply personal mission shaped by her experiences as a mother, her family’s legacy of service, and her own journey of transformation. The organization she is building stands as a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of community, and the transformative potential of storytelling.
The Social Ish Starting Society welcomes anyone seeking empowerment through literary leadership. Whether you’re interested in participating in workshops, attending events, or supporting the mission, there are multiple ways to get involved.
To learn more about The Social Ish Starting Society, upcoming events, and how you can participate in this growing movement for community empowerment, reach out today. Connect with Danica and discover how your story can become part of a larger narrative of change, growth, and community transformation.
Join the movement. Find your voice. Start some social-ish.
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