The AACL Tour opened on March 16th and took place at Francis Gregory and presented authors Ms. Sharon Bell Mathis ( "at the African Americans and Children's Literature opening held on March 2, 2024 at Trinity, Ms. Mathis received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to DC's literary community and to the field of children's literature)"and Mr. Brian Gilmore (a native of Washington D.C., a poet, long-time public interest attorney, author of four books of poetry and numerous essays for The Progressive Magazine). The next AACL Tour is scheduled to take place on April 20, 2024 and presents two authors Ms. Joy Jones (trainer, performance poet, playwright,director of the arts organization, The Spoken Word, founder of the Double Dutch team, DC Retro Jumpers, and author) and Mr. E.Ethelbert Miller (memoirist, award-winning poet and 2022 Grammy nominee for the Best Spoken Word Poetry Album--Black Men Are Precious). Info: [email protected]. 

"AFRICAN AMERICANS AND CHILDREN'S LITERATURE ON TOUR, presented by Esther Productions Inc. in partnership with The Black Student Fund and The Institute for African American Writing, is a humanities project that captures DC's rich literary history and the role played by Black writers in building canon and fortifying community. Supported, in part, by a grant from HumanitiesDC, the project includes a historical exhibition and conversations with some of the city's most acclaimed African American authors." 

Register at https://www.estherproductionsinc.com/events-1/seeing-ourselves-in-the-river-in-the-mirror-in-the-world-dcs-african-american-literary-history-on-tour 

(Photo credit from Esther Productions, Inc's programs)- https://www.estherproductionsinc.com/aachildrensliterature 

Esther Productions Inc., in partnership with The Black Student Fund and The Institute for African American Writing presents two authors Ms. Joy Jones and Mr. E.Ethelbert Miller on April 20th. Info: [email protected].

SEEING OURSELVES IN THE RIVER, IN THE MIRROR, IN THE WORLD: DC'S AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERARY HISTORY ON TOUR

Apr 20, 2024, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PMWashington, 3310 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, USAEsther Productions Inc. in partnership with The Black Student Fund and The Institute for African American Writing presents two authors, Joy Jones and E.Ethelbert Miller “Joy Jones is a trainer, performance poet, playwright and author of several books including Private Lessons: A Book of Meditations for Teachers; Tambourine Moon, which was selected as one of the best books for children by the black caucus of the ALA and featured on the Bernie Mac Show; and Fearless Public Speaking. She has won awards for her writing from the D. C. Commission on the Arts & Humanities, and the Colonial Players Promising Playwrights Competition, plus awards from both the D. C. Department of Recreation & Parks and the D. C. Commission on National & Community Service for outstanding community service.Joy Jones’ provocative op-ed on marriage trends for The Washington Post, “Marriage is for White People”, went viral. She is the director of the arts organization, The Spoken Word, and the founder of the Double Dutch team, DC Retro Jumpers, which has led exhibitions and classes throughout metropolitan Washington and abroad. Joy often leads workshops on creative writing, communications and black history.”  Ethelbert Miller is a memoirist, award-winning poet and 2022 Grammy nominee for the Best Spoken Word Poetry Album--Black Men Are Precious-- will be the guest speaker for the workshop, providing insights and tips into memoir writing. Mr. Miller is the author of two memoirs and several collections of poetry. He also is the editor of three anthologies of poetry. He is the editor of Poet Lore magazine and the host of the radio show "On the Margin," which airs Thursday mornings on WPFW-FM. He is the former director of Howard University's African American Resource Center, and has taught at several universities and colleges including American University, Emory & Henry College, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. "AFRICAN AMERICANS AND CHILDREN'S LITERATURE ON TOUR, presented by Esther Productions Inc. in partnership with The Black Student Fund and The Institute for African American Writing, is a humanities project that captures DC's rich literary history and the role played by Black writers in building canon and fortifying community. Supported, in part, by a grant from HumanitiesDC, the project includes a historical exhibition and conversations with some of the city's most acclaimed African American authors."  Register at https://www.estherproductionsinc.com/events-1/seeing-ourselves-in-the-river-in-the-mirror-in-the-world-dcs-african-american-literary-history-on-tour 

Me, Myself and Our Story: Creative Writing Institute for Young Ladies Aged 15 through 19

Feb 24, 2024

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM EST

125 Michigan Ave NEWashington, DC 20017, USA--Room 230

jonetta rose barras will serve as the lead writing instructor. A bestselling author and award-winning journalist, she says she found her voice, experiencing life as a poet, fiction writer, performing artist, and community organizer. Along the way she became a magazine feature writer, investigative reporter, columnist and essayist. A member of the Society of Professional Journalists DC Pro Chapter Hall of Fame, her work has appeared in numerous publications including The Washington Post, Essence Magazine, The New Republic, USA Today, and Crisis Magazine. She currently writes a weekly column for The DC Line.

Register https://www.estherproductionsinc.com/events-1/me-myself-and-our-story-a-creative-writing-institute-for-young-ladies-15-19-years-old.

Questions: [email protected]

jonetta rose barras will serve as the writing instructor. A bestselling author and award-winning journalist, she says she found her voice, experiencing life as a poet, fiction writer, performing artist, and community organizer. Along the way she became a magazine feature writer, investigative reporter, columnist and essayist. A member of the Society of Professional Journalists DC Pro Chapter Hall of Fame, her work has appeared in numerous publications including The Washington Post, Essence Magazine, The New Republic, USA Today, and Crisis Magazine. She currently writes a weekly column for The DC Line. Me, Myself and Our Story: A Creative Writing Institute ​

Feb 10, 2024, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM EST

901 G St. NW, Washington, DC -Room 401-E

Esther Productions Inc. is presenting a professional creative writing institute providing instruction in poetry, fiction and memoir writing. Course of study will provide six weeks of focus and instruction on each topic. That is six weeks of poetry, six weeks of fiction and six weeks of memoir writing.  The Institute is for young ladies 15-19 years old who have an interest in creative writing. The first session will be in poetry. Students should be prepared to attend all six sessions. Registration is required; seating is limited. So register now! ​www.estherproductionsinc.com/events-1/me-myself-and-our-story-a-creative-writing-institute-in-poetry-short-story-and-memoir-writing 

For more information: write to [email protected]

Please note these workshops are only for young ladies aged 15-19.

African Americans and Children's Literature: A Symposium and Exhibition presented by Esther Productions, Inc, The Black Student Fund, and The Institute for African American Writing

Mar 02, 2024, 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM EST 125 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC 20017, USA

COME LEARN THE STORY AND LEGACY OF WASHINGTON, DC’S AFRICAN AMERICAN AUTHORS OF CHILDREN’S LITERATURE—Past and Present, including May Miller Sullivan, Sterling Brown, Maxine Clair, Gwendolyn Brooks, Daphne Muse, Lucille Clifton, Eloise Greenfield, Jason Reynolds, Kwame Alexander, Jennifer Lawson, Courtland Cox, Adjoa Burrowes, E. Ethelbert Miller, Carolivia Herron, Aisha Rice, Tricia Elam Walker, jonetta rose barras, Sheila Crider, David Miller, Michelle Meadows, Leah Henderson , Michelle Green, Lakia Wilson and others.

Panel discussions topics include: REMOVING THE MASK, AMPLIFYING OUR VOICES: The Struggle of Black Authors To Publish Authentic Stories About African American People--Their Lives and Their Culture; SEEING OURSELVES IN THE RIVER, IN THE MIRROR, IN THE WORLD: Illustrators Talk About The Challenge of Creating Images That Bring Children’s Books Alive; TRUNKS, SATCHELS AND THE US POSTAL SERVICE: Book Distributors and Store Owners Tell Their Story About Getting Black Books into the World By All and Any Means Necessary; and UNFINISHED BUSINESS, UNTOLD STORIES: The Future of Black Children’s Literature.

DON'T MISS THE LUNCH TIME CONVERSATION BETWEEN SHARON BELL MATHIS AND E.ETHELBERT MILLER

This event is curated by award-winning author and public scholar jonetta rose barras in partnership with humanities scholar Bernard Demczuk Ph.D. ,The Black Student Fund, The Institute for African American Writing, Teaching for Change, Social Justice Books, Buck Wild Media, and Lesa Warrick.

Major funding has been provided by HumanitiesDC with additional support from Kerry S. Pearson LLC, The Robert Bobb Group, and BusBoys and Poets.

OFFICIAL ONSITE BOOKSELLER: Sankofa: Video Books and Cafe Authors will sign books throughout the day

IT'S FREE. REGISTER IS REQUIRED. -https://www.estherproductionsinc.com/events-1/new-details-african-americans-and-childrens-literature-a-symposium-and-exhibition

For more information write to [email protected] ​

Join Esther Productions, Inc and Black Student Fund for THE DISCOVERY SUMMIT AND SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS CEREMONY held on Dec. 9, 2023 at 125 Michigan Ave. NE, DC 20017, from 10:30 to 1pm. Great interactive workshops, food, door prizes and more.

Each year since 2019, Esther Productions Inc. has presented a unique scholarship essay contest that invites young ladies aged 13 through 18 to submit essays that tell their stories about growing up without their fathers and building their resilience as they face that challenge. A group of accomplished artists, educators, clinicians, business and civic leaders serve as judges. Cash prizes ranging from $1500 to $500 are given to the top winners during the Discovery Summit and Scholarship Awards Ceremony.

This year, the event is presented in cooperation with The Black Student Fund. The summit will have interactive workshops, food, door prizes and more.

Register at https://www.estherproductionsinc.com/events-1/the-discovery-summit-scholarship-awards-ceremony

Esther Productions, Inc. is dedicated to using a variety of vehicles—traditional and nontraditional—to develop communities throughout the United States and Europe. It was created in 2004 by Jonetta Rose Barras, award-winning journalist and author of Whatever Happened to Daddy’s Little Girl? - estherproductionsinc.com

"The Black Student Fund (BSF) provides essential advocacy, academic and retention support to academically motivated African American and other underserved students to facilitate their access, admission and successful matriculation and graduation from member schools. BSF partners with member schools to provide financial assistance, as well as instruction, evaluations, feedback and monitoring necessary to facilitate the creation and maintenance of a supportive and responsive environment." - https://blackstudentfund.org/

Contact: Esther Productions, Inc at [email protected]

Esther Productions Inc. and The Institute for African American Writing are presenting Me, Myself and Our Story: The Art of the Personal Essay, A Writing Workshop for Girls which is scheduled for Sept. 23rd from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM EDT at Martin Luther King Jr. Library(Rm 401-G), 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA.About the event

Esther Productions Inc. and The Institute for African American Writing begin their much anticipated 2023-2024 workshops; this first event is focused on the personal essay. 

Whether you're preparing to submit that all important essay to secure your college admission, a college scholarship or you simply have something you want to say about your life and the world in which you live, the Me, Myself & Our Story workshop is right for you. It will be interesting and fun. 

There'll be light refreshments and a prize for the best draft essay as voted by participants.  SO, you won't want to miss this. REGISTER NOW. (Seating is limited to 20) Register at https://www.estherproductionsinc.com/events-1/me-myself-and-our-story-the-art-of-the-personal-essay-a-writing-workshop-for-girls-14-17 Questions: [email protected]

THE NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK

JUNE 5-9, 2023

Virtual Event "Reconciliation Week Created by Esther Productions Inc.the National Reconciliation Week: For Self & Family has been designed to:

Raise awareness about the importance of family in developing whole, healthy children and adults;

Raise awareness about the importance of family to developing strong communities and a healthy society;

Provide specific information and techniques for strengthening the family, whether traditional or blended;

Provide specific information to help young single mothers and fathers understand their roles as parents;

Provide tips to enable single mothers and fathers to become more expert at parenting while juggling other external responsibilities

Encourage more parents who do not live in the same household to embrace co-parenting as a process improve emotional, spiritual and healthy outcomes for their children and themselves;

Encourage the involvement of more fathers in the daily growth and development of their daughters; and

Provide specific guidance and counseling that would enable previously estranged fathers and daughters to reconcile"

Join NRW for a week of live and video taped panel discussions, interviews and mini-workshops with experts, including Linda Nielson, author of Myths and Lies About Dads: How They Hurt Us All, that will help inspire your self or family reconciliation.

It's free. Registration is required. EVERY DAY JUNE 5 THROUGH JUNE 9 BETWEEN 12:30 AND 1:30 PM (EST) - https://www.estherproductionsinc.com/events-1/the-national-reconciliation-week-for-self-family-june-5-june-9-2023-2023-06-05-12-30

Esther Productions, Inc presents Women Blossoming: A Traditional Tea & Celebration to Inspire and Empower

May 06, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM EDT

Trinity Washington University, 125 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC 20017, USA

Women Blossoming: A Traditional Tea & Celebration to Inspire and Empower is the event of the spring season that features fantastic speakers and creatives.

Light traditional tea refreshments will be served. IT'S ALL FREE REGISTER NOW!

COME CELEBRATE YOURSELF! YOU DESERVE IT!

Register at

www.estherproductionsinc.com/events-1/women-blossoming-a-traditional-tea-celebration-to-inspire-and-empower-girls-and-women-16-and-older

Pandemic. Abstract painting on canvas. Afrika Abney

 The pandemic has changed the lives of many people and small businesses for the past two years. As a result of the pandemic, I have created numerous paintings revolved around the pandemic. When I created the abstract painting entitled: Pandemic, I thought about the colors and technique. One of the colors that I selected was salmon pink.

"Salmon pink color symbolizes: expression, fellowship, compassion, and individuality. The effects of salmon: stimulates, inspires, supports, and reassures. While salmon is sometimes used to refer to colors ranging from pale pinkish-orange to light pink, the true salmon color mixes pink with a touch of orange and is just on the lighter side of coral. With pink being the driving color behind salmon, it is considered a hopeful color and a signal of health and happiness."

Summer Blossoms. Acrylic on Canvas. 14 * 18. Afrika Abney ​ Summer Blossoms is featured on the cover of the book entitled: Kaleidoscope. For more information about the book, contact Esther Productions, Inc at [email protected]. www.estherproductionsinc.com/product-page/kaleidoscope-women-of-color-reflecting-on-life

For Immediate Release 

Contact: Esther Productions, Inc at [email protected]

Esther Productions Inc. is proud to be working in partnership with Afrika Abney

(Washington,DC) - Esther Productions Inc. is proud to be working in partnership with Afrika Abney in presenting select pieces of her work for public viewing and sale. Among them include Summer Blossoms, Pandemic, Isolation #1 and Isolation #2. Available now at https://www.estherproductionsinc.com/shop

About Ms. Afrika Abney 

Ms. Afrika Abney has been a consultant to Esther Productions Inc from its inception in 2004. A native Washingtonian, she graduated from the prestigious Corcoran School of the Arts. For more than 20 years, Ms. Abney has used her formal training and background in the arts to successfully provide services to artists, nonprofits, corporations, small businesses, community centers, churches, individuals, and schools.

She is proud to be working with Esther Productions Inc in presenting select pieces of her work for public viewing and sale which were apart of the Kaleidoscope virtual event that took place on Feb. 19, 2023. 

About Esther Productions, Inc 

Esther Productions, Inc. is a Washington, DC-based national nonprofit organization. Founded in 2004, it is dedicated to inspiring and empowering girls and women. It is supported through generous contributions from Kerry S. Pearson LLC, Emmanuel Bailey, Veterans Services Corp, Pepco, an Exelon Corporation, Fort Myer Construction Corporation Charitable Foundation and Esther’s Friends

For more information about Esther Productions, Inc, please visit estherproductionsinc.com.

KALEIDOSCOPE WOMEN’S WRITING COLLECTIVE Meets every First Saturday from 10am -11:15 am (EST)

This is a multi-generational, multi-ethnic, multi-racial group of women who  share their in-progress writings. Occasionally, the convenor, jonetta rose barras, or a guest author provides a writing prompt to instigate new creations. The group just published its first collection of poetry. More is expected as it grows.  It’s all free and virtual! REGISTER NOW! for more information: [email protected]

www.estherproductionsinc.com/events-1/membership-announcement-kaleidoscope-womens-writing-collective-2023-03-04-10-00 ​

Kaleidoscope: Women of Color Reflecting Life

Feb 19, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST

virtual event

In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic a group of women gathered online to write and share poetry in a workshop launched by Esther Productions Inc. The event was titled  Women are Poetry In Motion. Participants continued to meet and the group evolved into the Kaleidoscope Writing Collective--seven women writers in various stages of their development exploring their creativity and sharing their vision. 

Come on February 19 at 3 pm come experience Kaleidoscope: Women of Color Reflecting Life."Is it exaggerating to say poetry saves lives?" asks award-winning author Joy Jones in the introduction of the group's first book: Kaleidoscope: Women of Color Reflection on Life.

“Kaleidoscope is a particularly accurate name for this group,” notes award-winning author Joy Jones. “A kaleidoscope is made of cracker and jagged pieces of glass…It is these broken edges that allow us to see something beautiful and new.” Performance poetry, training workshops, storytelling, classroom teaching - Joy Jones has addressed countless audiences. She is the director of the performance poetry group, The Spoken Word and founder of the multigenerational double Dutch team, DC Retro Jumpers. Jones is the author of several books including Private Lessons: A Book of Meditations for Teachers. and Tambourine Moon, which was selected as one of the best books for children by the black caucus of the ALA and featured on the Bernie Mac show. Fearless Public Speaking debuts Spring, 2019. 

 featuring

Beverly Sims, Blanche Thomas, Betty Nyangoni, Rosalind Blunt, Kanimozhi MV, Sharon Burton, Lesa Warrick and jonetta rose barras

www.estherproductionsinc.com/events-1/kaleidoscope-women-of-color-reflecting-on-life-a-poetry-reading

It's Free. Registration is required.

For more information about Esther Productions, Inc, please visit estherproductionsinc.com.Esther Productions, Inc. is a Washington, DC-based national nonprofit organization. Founded in 2004, it is dedicated to inspiring and empowering girls and women. It is supported through generous contributions from Kerry S. Pearson LLC, Emmanuel Bailey, Veterans Services Corp, Pepco, an Exelon Corporation, Fort Myer Construction Corporation Charitable Foundation and Esther’s Friends

Kaleidoscope: Women of Color Reflecting Life

Feb 19, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST

virtual event

In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic a group of women gathered online to write and share poetry in a workshop launched by Esther Productions Inc. The event was titled  Women are Poetry In Motion. Participants continued to meet and the group evolved into the Kaleidoscope Writing Collective--seven women writers in various stages of their development exploring their creativity and sharing their vision. 

Come on February 19 at 3 pm come experience Kaleidoscope: Women of Color Reflecting Life.

www.estherproductionsinc.com/events-1/kaleidoscope-women-of-color-reflecting-on-life-a-poetry-reading

It's Free. Registration is required.

ESTHER PRODUCTIONS INC. ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF ITS FOURTH ANNUAL DISCOVERING ME…WITHOUT YOU SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:Esther Productions Inc 202-829-0591-- [email protected]

ESTHER PRODUCTIONS INC. ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF ITS FOURTH ANNUAL DISCOVERING ME…WITHOUT YOU SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST

Raea Jordan and Raine Badua were chosen by a distinguished panel of judges as Top Scholarship winners in Tier 1 (15-18) category and Tier 2 (13-14) category Esther Productions Inc.’s scholarship contest for 2022. Three other young ladies—Simaya Hammond, Dominique Barksdale and Rahel Belay- Tseganeh—were given Honorable Mention designation. Cash awards totaling $2,200 were distributed .

The winners were selected from a group of more than two-dozen teen girls between the ages of 13 and 18.

Those who did not receive cash prizes were each presented with $25 gift cards during an awards ceremony on Dec. 10 th held at The Woman’s National Democratic Club in Washington, DC. Esther Productions Inc., programco-sponsor The Black Student Fund along with members of the community, congratulated all the young ladies.

Anita Josey-Herring, chief judge on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, presented the awards. On the court, she has been extensively involved with family and children, including as the deputy presiding judge of the Family Court. She brought important insight and inspiration to the event during her remarks.

Discovering Me…Without You Scholarship essay contest was launched in 2019 by the Fatherless Daughter Empowerment Project, a division of Esther Productions Inc. The essay contest is designed to educate the public about the importance of fathers in the lives and development of girls and women. Nationally, more than 24 million children are growing up in homes without their fathers. In the Washington Metropolitan region at least 60 percent of homes are single-parent households, many of them headed by women. The contest is intended to provide a platform for some of those children, particularly fatherless girls, to explain the impact of father absence in their lives and their efforts to reach self-actualization and empowerment.

The entries were judged by a team of successful professional leaders and youth, including Ana Acevedo, co- chairperson of Esther Productions Inc.; Patricia Bitondo, Woman’s National Democratic Club; Dr. Misty Freeman, a local psychologist who works with students; Alycea Gayle, a senior at DC International Public Charter School; Ana R. Harvey, a former senior executive in President Barack Obama’s administration; Alicia Henry, a nonprofit and government expert; Shelly Livingston; Leroy Nesbitt, executive director of The Black Student Fund; Winfield Swanson with the Woman’s National Democratic Club; and Addison Switzer, co-chair of Esther Productions Inc. and CEO of BuckWild Media.

Winning essays will be featured on estherproductionsinc.com during the months of January and February. A book of essays will be released later in 2023.

Esther Productions, Inc. is a Washington, DC-based national nonprofit organization. Founded in 2004, it is dedicated to inspiring and empowering girls and women. The Discovering Me Summit and Awards Ceremony was supported through generous contributions from Kerry S. Pearson LLC, Emmanuel Bailey, Fort Myer Construction Corporation Charitable Foundation, the Cornelia Bailey Foundation through The Black Student Fund, David Jannarone, A. Scott Bolden, and Esther’s Friends, which including Melvin Mitchell, Ana R. Harvey, Lamont Mitchell, Philip Pannell, and Rosalind Blunt. Special Thanks to Afrika Abney, Arts and Marketing Consultant and The Woman’s National Democratic Club.