About Us
A creator, producer and promoter of arts, cultural, educational and humanities programs, Esther Productions Inc. was founded in 2004 by award-winning author, curator, and veteran arts administrator jonetta rose barras. It is a federally tax-exempt, Washington, DC-based corporation with the expressed mission of inspiring and empowering women and girls from under-represented or under-resourced communities through the development of their own unique creative voices and skills.
We seek to achieve that mission by nurturing and promoting the personal and creative narratives of women; recognizing and rewarding their literary excellence; establishing mentorship opportunities for them in the field; elevating literature by and for them within the canon; and preserving for future generations the rich and diverse literary history and communities that women writers have helped shape.
Since its inception, Esther Productions Inc. has designed and presented a variety of programs and special events including conferences, symposia, workshops and retreats. It has also published anthologies of poetry and creative nonfiction written by women in the Washington Metropolitan area.
The organization is led by a small but enthusiastic, volunteer Board of Directors that include professional writers, academicians and civic leaders. They are aided by two standing advisory committees that help curate special and ongoing programs, like MidnightRose: A Reading Series of Poetry & Prose.
Advisers to Esther Productions Inc. are humanities scholars, community historians, professional and healing artists. They help ensure the authenticity, integrity and effectiveness of the organization's programs. Along with our target audience and contracted consultants, advisers also participate in program evaluation.
Esther Productions Inc. has developed strong and long-term partnerships with national and local organizations, including The Spoken Word Collective, Buck Wild Media, The Black Student Fund, Essences of Wellness and the Tenley-Friendship Public Library.
During its more than 20 years, Esther Production Inc. has had the good fortune of being supported by a variety of corporations, government institutions and individuals, included among them are KSP LLC, The Luger Charitable Trust, HumanitiesDC, Emmanuel Bailey, Busboys and Poets, Cornelia A. Baker Foundation, Ivory Sanders, A. Scott Bolden, David Jannarone, the Robert Bobb Group, Rosalind Blunt, Lesa Warrick, Joy Jones and Friends of Esther.
It is important to note that Esther Productions Inc. does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations, including the appointment of members of its governing Board of Directors, its program advisory committees, selection of volunteers, presenters or other contractors.
If you like who we are and wish to join us in this mission, as we nurture writers, epecially women, and promote and preserve literature and literary history, subscribe to our website or contact Esther Productions Inc. at 202-363-4647.
We believe all women can embrace who they are,
can define their future, and can change the world.
Our Mission
Esther Productions is dedicated to using the arts—literature, movement and painting—to guide girls and women in finding, capturing and accelerating their personal magic and power while expanding their wealth and influence in their communities and in the world.
Our Vision
Esther Productions Inc. sees a world where girls and women are celebrated leaders using their experiences and imaginations to create and advance a diverse society where the contribution of each individual is welcomed and valued.
