Esther Productions, Inc
Services provided by Ms. Afrika Abney
"Afrika Abney is an awesome marketing consultant. As president of Esther Productions Inc., I have worked with her for nearly a decade on various projects. She has helped us define and target our audiences for each event or program. She has helped us brainstorm effective and creative ways to audiences, and she has been one of the critical elements of our success. If you want marketing, promotions and all around hardworking consultant on your team who will care about your projects and the people you serve, then Afrika Abney is the person you will want to hire." - Jonetta Rose Barras, President and CEO of Esther Productions, Inc
"Afrika Abney is an experienced marketing professional who dedicates herself to all her projects. She enjoys doing promotional and public relations events and has been in this milieu for years." - Joy Jones, DC Public Library, Poet and Author
Flyer created by Ms. Afrika Abney
In 2022, Esther Productions, Inc purchased Summer Blossoms (an abstract painting) to use for the book cover of Kaleidoscope.
On August 13, 2022, Ms. Afrika Abney donated several abstract collages and paintings to Esther Productions, Inc.
On June 23, 2023, Esther Productions, Inc purchased one of Ms. Afrika Abney's abstract paintings that she created on March 4, 2023.
On December 3, 2023, Esther Productions, Inc purchased two abstract paintings created by Ms. Afrika Abney.
Since 2004, Ms. Afrika Abney has worked for Esther Productions Inc., a non-profit organization that empowers young women and girls to heal from past familial trauma and tension. Her work often makes appearances at events held by the organization and was recently made the cover of a book they published entitled Kaleidoscope.
Some of her previous consultant projects include National Daddy Daughter Reunion Tour, Building Families in the 21st Century, The Gift, Daughters Speak Out, Sip, Paint and Reflect, PaintSpiration: Reflect and Paint!, Spring Cleaning: Mind, Body and Spirit, The Fatherless Daughters Speak Out, Esther Productions, Inc Butterfly Series, Inside Job: The Art of Personal Essay Writing (Workshop for Teens), Inside Job: The Art of Personal Essay Writing (Workshop Sequel for Teens), Reconciliation Week, Joy Jones' Double Dutch, Writing Institute for Teens, Teens Authors Talk, Understanding and Overcoming Fatherless Daughter Syndrome, The Power of Poetry in You, Women Are Poetry in Motion Every Day in Every Way, Kaleidoscope: A Writing Club, Winners Circle, Soaring Sisters Circle, Whatever Happened to Daddy's Little Girl? Unraveling the Mystery; Healing the Pain; Growing the Personal Power, Discovering Me Summit and Awards Ceremony, Kaleidoscope: Women of Color Reflection on Life, MEMBERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT: KALEIDOSCOPE WOMEN'S WRITING COLLECTIVE, Women Blossoming, NRW 2023, Me, Myself and Our Story: Creative Writing Institute for Young Ladies, Me, Myself and Our Story: The Art of the Personal Essay, A Writing Workshop for Girls,Me, Myself and Our Story: The Art of Memoir, Part 1, Discovering Me...Without You: An Annual Personal Essay Contest,African Americans and Children's Literature: A Symposium and Exhibition, and AACL Tour.
Ms. Abney has exhibited several of her abstract paintings during the virtual art exhibition and poetry reading that took place on February 19, 2023 and had some of her art exhibited during the National Daughter Daddy Tour which took place at National City Christian Church in Washington, D.C from 2004 - 2006.On August 13, 2022, Ms. Abney donated several abstract collages and paintings to Esther Productions, Inc.
Additionally, Esther Productions, Inc purchased one of Ms. Abney's abstract paintings on June 23, 2023 and on December 3, 2023, Esther Productions, Inc purchased two abstract paintings created by Ms. Abney.
Ms. Abney provides services for Esther Productions, Inc's upcoming events.
Flyer created by Ms. Afrika Abney
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?
It is a non-profit organization that empowers young women and girls to heal from past familial trauma and tension.
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.
Some of the sponsors of the programs include The Black Student Fund, Kerry S. Pearson LLC, Spoken Word Ensemble, and many others.
Some of its signature programs include: The Fatherless Daughter Empowerment Project, Discovering Me…Without You Essay Contest, KALEIDOSCOPE WOMEN’S WRITING COLLECTIVE, and Me, Myself and Our Story.
The Fatherless Daughter Empowerment Project, "a division of Esther Productions Inc, a nonprofit, tax-exempt company based in Washington, started by Ms. Jonetta Rose Barras, pioneer of the fatherless woman's movement. The Fatherless Daughter Empowerment Project was originally the Fatherless Daughter Reconciliation Project, founded in 2004 by Ms. Jonetta Rose Barras, creator of The Fatherless Woman (Daughter) Syndrome.
Some of its programs include The Fatherless Daughters Speak Out, Discovering Me…Without You: An Annual Personal Essay Contest, Daughters Circle and Awakening: Women Power and Magic.; and Kaleidoscope: A Monthly Writing Club.
Specifically designed for teen girls ages 13 through 17, The Fatherless Daughters Speak Out guide participants to the path of self-actualization using fun arts-based interactive and intervention techniques. These sessions include PaintSpiration; MoveOn, and the Summer Writing Institute.
Discovering Me…Without You 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.
Most importantly, the teen girls are asked to reveal that story of self-discovery: how she has come to know her worth and value; how she has come to recognize her imperfections but also her strengths; and how she believes she can succeed in the world despite the challenge of fatherlessness.
If you live in the Washington Metropolitan Region, are a teen girl growing up without your father in your home, tell us how you have faced the challenge of father absence to achieve self-actualization and self-empowerment.
Dec. 10, 2022 originally scheduled to take place at Cleveland Park Library and the location was changed to The Woman’s National Democratic Club in Washington, DC presented by Esther Productions Inc., program andThe 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.
On December 9, 2023, Esther Productions Inc and The Black Student Fund announced the winners for the contest which took place from September 1, 2023 - October 31, 2023 during the Discovering Me Summit and Awards Ceremony held at Trinity. Among them include Kenya Thomas (received the top prize of $1500.00 for her heartfelt essay), Simaya Hammond (The newly established $500 President's Award), Vanity Ewart-Smith and Makda Nana (In the middle school category, cash awards were presented to 1st and 2nd Place winners respectively, receiving more than $700 in total prizes) and Kariana Bates (Honorable Mention).
The Discovering Me Summit and Awards Ceremony included special appearance by The Honorable Anita Josey-Herring, chief judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, plus mini workshops, led by dynamic clinicians, wellness experts and healing artists.
Should you have any questions, please contact: Esther Productions, Inc at estherproductionsinc@gmail.com
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/
The Discovering Me Summit and Awards Ceremony celebrates teen girls who entered the Discovering Me Without You Personal Essay Scholarship Contest which was presented by Esther Productions, Inc and the Black Student Fund.
The entries were judged by a team of successful professional leaders and youth. Some of them include 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; 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.
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.
KALEIDOSCOPE WOMEN’S WRITING COLLECTIVE is a monthly writing club for women 18 and older. 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.
Feb 20, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
workshop via Zoom
KALEIDOSCOPE WOMEN’S WRITING COLLECTIVE is a monthly writing club for women 18 and older. This is a multi-generational, multi-ethnic, multi-racial group of women who share their in-progress writings.
Benefits for being a member of this collective:
"You meet a fantastic group of women who are at various stages in their development as writers;
you will receive the encouragement you need to start or finish a creative project through the regular gatherings; and
you will meet professional writers (guest instructors) who can impart words of wisdom and guidance as you pursue your creative dreams."
In 2022, Esther Productions, Inc published Kaleidoscope: Women of Color Reflecting 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.”
featuring
Beverly Sims, Blanche Thomas, Betty Nyangoni, Rosalind Blunt, Kanimozhi MV, Sharon Burton, Lesa Warrick and jonetta rose barras
If you are interested in being a member, please register at https://www.estherproductionsinc.com/events-1/kaleidoscope-womens-writing-collective-accepting-new-members-1.
If you have any questions, please send them to estherproductionsinc@gmail.com.
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.
"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"
Me, Myself and Our Story: Creative Writing Institute for Young Ladies Aged 15 through 19 is a free course led by professional and published writers. The city and its population will serve as the prime classroom. Participants during this first semester of the Institute will discover the poetry around them and the poet in them.
This six-week ART OF POETRY WRITING course is for individuals who want to learn the basics of formal poetry writing as well as those seeking to master their style and strengthen their voice.
The lead instructor is award-winning poet and author jonetta rose barras. She has published two collections of poetry and appears in numerous journals and anthologies.
The first session took place on February 10, 2024 via Zoom.
The second session scheduled for February 24, 2024.
Me, Myself and Our Story: The Art of Personal Essay and Memoir Writing" for young ladies aged 14 through 18.
African Americans and Children's Literature: A Symposium and Exhibition
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.
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.
IT'S FREE. REGISTER IS REQUIRED. -https://www.estherproductionsinc.com/events-1/african-americans-and-childrens-literature-a-symposium-and-exhibition. For more information write to aachildrenslit2023@gmail.com
"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."
Photo credit from Esther Productions, Inc -- African American and Children's Literature Programs launched by Esther Productions, Inc
Esther Productions Inc., in partnership with The Black Student Fund and The Institute for African American Writing is presenting African Americans and Children's Literature: ON TOUR which begins on March 16, 2024 at Francis Gregory and then at Cleveland Library on April 20, 2024.
About the book
In this groundbreaking book, published by Esther Productions Inc, edited by Jonetta Rose Barras and Esther Productions, Inc. Books, two dozen girls ages 14 through 17 tell their personal stories about the impact of father absence on their lives.
Info - 202-829-0591
https://www.estherproductionsinc.com/product-page/discovering-me-without-you
Esther Productions, Inc. is dedicated to using a variety of vehicles—traditional and nontraditional—to develop communities throughout the United States and Europe.
KALEIDOSCOPE: WOMEN OF COLOR REFLECTING ON LIFE
“Kaleidoscope is a particularly accurate name for this group,” write award-winning author Joy Jones in her introduction. “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.
“Experience this poetic kaleidoscope and be transformed.”
Cover Art: Afrika Abney
Copyright© 2022 Esther Productions Inc., jonetta rose barras, Rosalind Blunt, Sharon Burton, Kanimozhi MV, Betty Nyangoni, Ph.D., Beverly Sims, Blanche Thomas, and Lesa Warrick
All rights reserved
Published in the United States by Esther Books, a division of Esther Productions Inc., a national nonprofit corporation dedicated to inspiring and empowering girls and women
ISBN: 98-1-7345632-0-7
For Information contact
Esther Productions Inc. estherproductionsinc@gmail.com
Purchase your copy now: $15.00
All proceeds are used to fund additional poetry workshops for girls and women 13 and older.
www.estherproductionsinc.com/product-page/kaleidoscope-women-of-color-reflecting-on-life
Jonetta Barras - President and CEO of Esther Productions Inc
jonetta rose barras is the visionary and curator of African Americans and Children’s Literature: A Symposium and Exhibition Examining the Role of DC Black in Building Canon and Community from 1970s to the Present . A best-selling author, award-winning poet, essayist and journalist, she is seen by many as a Washington, DC political and cultural institution with an extensive history in the arts and humanities. In 1978, jonetta co-founded The Institute for the Preservation and Study of African American Writing--one of the first organizations to professionally document the District of Columbia's Black literary history; IPSAAW produced publications and exhibitions, conducted workshops for students and educators, and presented awards to people like children's author Eloise Greenfield and Negritude founder and poet Leon Damas. She helped launch and coordinated for three years the Black History Month Festival at the Kennedy Center in DC. She also designed and produced the Center's Cultural Diversity Festival, which demonstrated the intersection of African American, Asian and Hispanic culture. For several years, jonetta coordinated the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities’ Larry Neal Writers Conference, a citywide event held at the Folger Shakespeare Library and GW University. She also served as assistant director of the popular and influential Ascension Poetry Reading Series, founded by E. Ethelbert Miller. Barras has also built a successful career in journalism, writing for many of the newspapers in the nation’s capital including The Washington Afro American Newspaper, The Washington Times, The Washington City Paper and The Washington Post. Jonetta is the author of the critically biography of Marion Barry “The Last of the Black Emperors: The Hollow Comeback of Marion Barry in the Age of New Black Leaders.”(Bancroft Press. In 2000, Randon House published her memoir “Whatever Happened To Daddy’s Little Girl? The Impact of Fatherlessness on Black Women.” She is editor of several children’s poetry anthologies and editor of Discovering Me…Without You: Teen Girls Speak About Father Absence (Esther Productions Inc. Books 2020). Among her other books and published works are Bridges: Reuniting Daughters and Daddies (Bancroft Press 2005), and The Corner Is No Place For Hiding (Bunny and the Crocodile Press 1996). Her poetry and short stories have appeared in numerous anthologies including “Amazing Graces” (Paycock Press 2012) and “It’s All Love: Black Writers on Soul Mates, Family, and Friends” (Broadway Books 2009).
She founded Esther Productions Inc. in 2004 after the publication of her Black Board bestseller Whatever Happened to Daddy's Little Girl: The Impact of Fatherlessness on Black Women (Ballantine 2000, hardcover—2001, paperback). She has spoken at more than two-dozen national and international conferences and symposia, and many consider her the foremost authority on the affects of father absence among girls and women.