Skip to main content

Esther Productions, Inc Announces Winners for the 3rd Annual Discovering Me..Without You Essay Contest with keynote speaker, Ms. Yasmin Arrington Press Release

 

For Immediate Release

Contact: Esther Productions, Inc

202-829-0591

estherproductionsinc@gmail.com

Esther Productions, Inc Announces Winners for the 3rd Annual Discovering Me..Without You Essay Contest with keynote speaker, Ms. Yasmin Arrington

 

                 


(Washington, DC) - Esther Productions, Inc announces the Winners for the 3rd Annual Essay Contest with keynote speaker, Yasmin Arrington, on December 11, 2021 from 11am - 12noon on ZOOM. They told their stories about meeting the challenge of father absence triggered by abandonment or death and how they developed resilience and personal power. Come hear their voices. Come celebrate their personal discoveries.

About Esther Productions, Inc

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?

About Discovering Me..Without You Essay Contest

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.

Each contestant also is given the opportunity in essays of up to 2,000 words to voice their pain but also demonstrate their resilience in the face of the trauma and challenges caused by father absence. Most important, 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.

The entries were judged by a team of successful professional leaders including Ana Acevedo holds a degree in psychology and is a manager in the DC government; Patricia Bitondo is a board member of the Educational Foundation of the Woman’s National Democratic Club and a businesswoman; Ana R. Harvey is a former senior executive in President Barack Obama’s administration who focused on the development of women-owned businesses; Alicia Henry, former nonprofit executive; Winfield Swanson is Director of Communications for the Woman’s National Democratic Club; Addison Switzer is an actor and CEO of BuckWild Media; Shelley Livingston and Jerry Malmo.

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.

About Keynote Speaker, Ms. Yasmin Arrington

The author of Daily Reflections for Social Entrepreneurs Journal, Arrington has been featured in Essence, Black Enterprise, Forbes Magazine, The Washington Post, and on ABC7 News WJLA and NBC4 for her community work with ScholarCHIPS.

While a high school junior, Arrington founded the non-profit organization that provides college scholarships, mentoring and a peer support network to children of incarcerated parents, inspiring them to complete their college education. To date, ScholarCHIPS has awarded over $300,000 in scholarships to 76 scholars, with 30 graduates to date.

Arrington has received several awards including the Washington Business Journal Top 40 Under 40, the Linowes Leadership Award from the Greater Washington Community Foundation, the Peace First Prize, the DC Social Innovation Prize, Angel Among Us Award by the Negro Council of Women, the Samuel Huntington Public Service Award, and the Samuel Halperin Public Service Award.

Info: https://www.estherproductionsinc.com/events-1/celebrating-the-discoverers-an-awards-ceremony-for-the-winners-of-the-discovering-me-contest

 

Popular posts from this blog

Blogs for marketing and strategy purposes

    " A blogger is  someone who runs and controls a blog . He or she shares his or her opinion and knowledge on different topics for a target audience. Many bloggers feel strongly about an issue or topic, and they are motivated to write about it to bring attention to a need. This might be a social issue or cause, a problem that needs to be fixed, a belief or value that they hold strongly, or just a desire to help people. Blogging  enables you to reach the billions of people that use the Internet . Blogging can help you promote yourself or your business. Blogging works as a method for attracting an audience because it provides something of value to them before asking for anything in return. Blogs are often used to promote a business or company, though some blogs have become business in and of themselves." I created this blog to inform viewers about various topics that is connected to my work and services that I offer and provide as a consultant. This is not a per...

MIDNIGHTROSE: A Reading Series of Poetry and Prose features Mr. Kenneth Carroll, Ms. Elizabeth Bruce and Ms.Sasa Aakil

  “MidnightRose serves as a vibrant platform that highlights the diverse voices of multigenerational and multicultural writers from the Washington Metropolitan Region and beyond. This initiative is brought to life by Esther Productions Inc., in collaboration with The Institute for African American Writing and The Black Student Fund. The series aims to celebrate the literary talents within the community, showcasing a variety of poetic and prose works that reflect the rich tapestry of experiences and perspectives that define the region. Attendees of MidnightRose can expect to engage with a dynamic array of award-winning poets and authors, each bringing their unique narratives and artistic expressions to the forefront. The event not only serves as a performance space but also as a gathering that fosters dialogue and connection among writers and audiences alike. By immersing oneself in the powerful words and stories shared during the series, participants are invited to explore themes o...

My Charter School Experiences

In 1992, I did not attend a charter school. I have had a wide range opportunities that took place at various schools. I have not provided any services for schools as a consultant for a while. Among them include when I served as a substitute teacher for Mundo Verde PCS in 2013, I can recall working with some of the students and staff and sharing my passion and extensive background in visual arts. Additionally, I can recall when I served as a substitute teacher for DC International School. I knew a little bit of Spanish, but as a professional visual artist, I really enjoyed sharing my love and extensive background in visual arts with the students and some of the staff members at DC International from 2016-2017. Also when I served as an art elective Summer Camp teacher for Higher Achievement in 2013, the program took place at Center City Capitol Hill Campus. Providing each of these services in the past were a great opportunity for me. However, since these experiences, I have directed my s...

Digital conversations

  “A digital conversation is a scripted dialogue between a person and a computer through various digital mediums.” Quote found on the Internet  A digital conversation is defined as a structured interaction that takes place between a user and a computer, utilizing various digital channels to facilitate communication. This type of dialogue is typically governed by pre-established scripts that dictate the exchange, ensuring that the conversation remains focused and pertinent to the user's questions or requirements. The platforms that support these interactions can include chatbots, social media messaging services, and other online tools designed to mimic human conversational patterns. The hallmark of a digital conversation lies in its use of scripted replies, which are meticulously crafted to respond to specific inquiries from the user. This structured approach streamlines the communication process, allowing the computer to efficiently access and deliver information based on the ...

Djimo Kouyate

  Commissioned Photography for Baba Djimo Kouyate Smithsonian Folklife Festival, 1997, Washington, DC Photograph by Ms. Afrika Abney   "Djimo Kouyaté (August 16, 1946 - August 1, 2004). Djimo Kouyate was from the Malinké tribe, a sub-group of the Mandingo people. Born in Tambacounda, Senegal, he was from a distinguished family of griots who trace their ancestry back to the thirteenth century. A master kora player and a fine singer and dancer, Djimo also played a variety of other instruments including balafon (wooden xylophone), drums, and other string instruments. He worked with the Senegalese National Ballet as a singer and dancer since 1960, and was a founding member of the National Instrumental Ensemble of Senegal."

Respect and courtesy

  Respect and courtesy. Digital art created on canvas. August 2, 2024. Afrika Abney The colors associated with respect and courtesy include blue, red and white.  The interplay of colors creates a dynamic composition, where the bold red evokes passion and energy, the serene blue instills a sense of calm and trust, and the pure white symbolizes clarity and peace. Together, these colors form a cohesive narrative that resonates with the viewer, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the themes of respect and courtesy. “Respect and courtesy in the workplace are important for a healthy work environment and can lead to improved productivity and employee satisfaction. They involve treating others with kindness, fairness, and tact.”

Absence in life

 "Absence sharpens love, presence strengthens it." - Thomas Fuller Well, this quote is complete opposite for me. Many people in my life have been absent. If absence is supposed to sharpen love, then why do some people think that helps a relationship grow stronger? It does not, it makes people feel unloved, unwanted and unappreciated. Yet, many people why I am fearful or afraid of relationships? Well, try looking at it from this perspective. I have spent most of my life living in the darkness and isolation.  Perhaps, this digital piece entitled: Absence in life can help you understand me even better. The colors that I choose to the title of the piece.                                         Absence in life. Digital art created on canvas. Afrika Abney  

March is Women's History Month - Ms. Georgette S. Powell

March is Women's History Month - Ms. Georgette S. Powell In 1999, I had the opportunity to participate in art exhibit that took place at the Children's National Medical Center and met Ms. Georgette S. Powell.   "Georgette Seabrook Powell was born in Charleston, SC in 1916 and raised in New York City. After graduating from The Cooper Union School of Art, she became active in the Harlem Arts Workshop. Powell was inspired by Augusta Savage (A’25), a young sculptor and the newly appointed director of the Harlem Arts Workshop. Powell learned from the dedication Savage gave to teaching arts in the Harlem community, and teaching became a cornerstone in her life as well. Powell was employed by the WPA, along with a team of artists, to create a series of murals for the Harlem Hospital Art Project. Her murals, titled Recreation in Harlem, depicted the daily lives, struggles and joys of Harlem’s residents. Once the murals had been completed, they were pronounced “too controversial” b...