About Us

Esther Productions Inc.’s name has been among women’s empowerment pioneers since 2004, when it was founded by jonetta rose barras--an award-winning poet, fiction writer, biographer, and author of BlackBoard Bestseller "Whatever Happened to Daddy’s Little Girl: The Impact of Fatherlessness on Black Women," ------with a cadre of dedicated professionals. The organization uses the arts to heal, inspire and empower  girls and women, especially those suffering the trauma of father absence.

 

A nonprofit, 501 c (3) tax-exempt educational, social, arts and cultural corporation, Esther Productions is based in the Washington, DC. However, it is an undeniable presence on the national scene adding voice and value to conferences, symposia and festivals. Its partnerships with other organizations extend from Virginia to Maryland, North Carolina, Louisiana and Texas. 

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An innovator, Esther Productions Inc. offers a variety of unique tools and techniques to ensure girls and women achieve self-actualization. The organization also is dedicated to restoring and strenghtening families and enhancing the academic achievement of children and youth from under-resourced communities. 

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A board of directors helps guide the organization’s overall mission and activities. An advisory committee  that includes experts, celebrities and citizens from affected communities assist Esther Productions Inc in designing and planning programs, ensuring their authenticity, integrity and effectiveness. All programs are evaluated by members of their target audience and independent external consultants.

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We are supported financially by a variety of corporations and individuals including Kerry S. Pearson LLC, Fort Myer Construction Corporation Charitable Foundation, Pepco, an Exelon Corporation, and Emmanuel Bailey. 

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OUR PROGRAMS

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SOARING SISTERS CIRCLE focuses on the personal development and self-actualization of participants using a variety of artistic and cultural resources and tools. Additionally,

networking roundtables are regularly held for the purpose of introducing young ladies between the ages of 17 and 35 to successful women leaders in business, arts and culture.

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INSIDE JOB WRITING INSTITUTE: The Art of Personal Essay Writing is a series professionally taught workshops for girls 14 through 18. These workshops are designed as the title suggests to teach participants how to write interesting and thoughtful essays about issues that matter to them. The intent is to encourage them to become comfortable with their ideas and to use their voice in the public square.

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KALEIDOSCOPE WOMEN'S WRITING COLLECTIVE. Each month women interest in poetry and prose writing meet to discuss and critique each other's creative writing. Guest artists also meet every other month with the group to offer specific topics of study and to inspire new works.

 

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THE FATHERLESS DAUGHTER EMPOWERMENT PROJECT  is a constellation of programs that that deploy the arts--visual, literary and movements--as vehicles for healing for girls and women ages 14 and older. PaintSpiration involves the use of the visual arts. Discovering Me…Without You is our annual personal essay contest; winners receive cash prizes and their works are featured in a published collection every two years. The Gift is our multidimensional comprehensive conferencethat uses all the arts to guide participants 18 and older to begin the process of healing from familial-related trauma.

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