Danny was adopted by Billy and Mary Nicholson on February 26, 1962. He grew up in a Christian elementary school and developed a love for the game of basketball. While training for basketball in high school, he discovered running. He earned an athletic scholarship at Charleston Southern University and graduated from CSU in 1984 with a major in Communications and minor in Religion.While attending CSU, he met his wife Debra, developed a love for songwriting, and began his fundraising career before graduation. From 1984 until 2017, Danny served in University Advancement for 8 different institutions. Danny completed his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership at USC in 2006 and was awarded the “Grenzebach Award” by CASE which earned him the top dissertation for fundraising in the nation. He also graduated from the Harvard Leadership Institute in 2007.Danny honed his skills as a songwriter and completed four original albums that he used to minister to young people across the Southeast for over 10 years. He was presented the “Wynn Christian Athlete Award” and named “Alumni of the Year” at Charleston Southern University. He completed the Boston Marathon in 2000 and 2007. Danny has been a sought after speaker across the nation for non profit organizations, conferences, and churches. A proud son, husband, father, singer/songwriter, fundraiser, and speaker, Danny now adds author to his long list of adventures. His debut memoirs, My Own Backyard, is a compilation of stories, poems, and songs that defined the first 55 years of his life.Danny assumed the presidency of Connie Maxwell Children’s Home on September 1, 2017 and currently lives on campus with his wife of 33 years Debra and their two dogs, Marley and Summer. They have two sons, Taylor and Bryson.After a lifetime of service, Danny and Debra can be found sitting in Connie Maxwell Baptist Church holding precious children in their arms. Danny often says, “The face of God is a child without a home.”