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

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."

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...

DC Public Charter School Board

"DC PCSB is an independent government agency of the District of Columbia, created in 1996, led by a volunteer seven-member board. DC PCSB provides oversight to 135 public charter schools, which are managed by 69 independently run nonprofit organizations called local education agencies" The DC Public Charter School Board has listed several workshops,The Discovery Summit and Scholarship Awards Ceremony, and Discovering Me...Without You: An Annual Personal Essay Contest which were all launched by Esther Productions, Inc in their bulletin in the past. 10-26 - 22 https://mailchi.mp/3dd58c7b5cc2/wednesday-bulletin-795754?e=4ae2bafe99 11-22 - 22 https://mailchi.mp/6b8b007a5b05/wednesday-bulletin-795758?e=4ae2bafe99 11-23-22 https://mailchi.mp/a3197817a7ab/wednesday-bulletin-795770?e=4ae2bafe99 11-30 - 22 https://mailchi.mp/7498c107cc56/wednesday-bulletin-795774?e=4ae2bafe99 12-7-22 https://mailchi.mp/70cf4b50e59c/wednesday-bulletin-795782?e=4ae2bafe99 9 - 20 ...

Katherine Dunham

"Dunham Technique is a vibrant African American dance form that engages the body, mind and spirit! Created by dance pioneer Katherine Dunham, the technique is informed by the traditional dances of the African Diaspora, as well as by modern and ballet." I studied Dunham Technique from Dr. Sherrill Berryman Johnson. " Katherine Dunham Legendary dancer, choreographer and anthropologist, Katherine Dunham was born on June 22,1909 in Chicago, to an African American father and a French Canadian mother. She sang in her local Methodist Church in Joliet; but for a financial crisis at her church, she might never have sung anything but gospel songs. At age eight, she amazed and scandalized the elders of her church by doing a performance of decidedly non-religious songs at a cabaret party, in order to raise money. She never thought about a career in dance. Instead, she consented to her family's wish that she become a teacher and followed her brother, Albert Dunh...

Brain Gilmore at Francis Gregory - This Saturday

Award-winning poet Brian Gilmore will read excerpts from his upcoming book " No More Worlds To Conquer: The Black Poet in Washington DC Since Paul Laurence Dunba r" on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at Francis Gregory. " BRIAN GILMORE is a native of Washington D.C., a poet and long-time public interest attorney. He is also the author of four books of poetry and numerous essays for The Progressive Magazine. Brian has won numerous awards, including the 2020 Michigan Notable Book Award for his book, come see about me marvin (Wayne State University Press). He is Senior Lecturer in the Law and Society Program at the University of Maryland - College Park." Register at https://www. estherproductionsinc.com/ events-1/african-americans- and-childrens-literature-on- tour Please join him along with Ms. Mathis on Saturday. Info: aachildrenslit2023@ gmail.com

Cross Bridges

I have crossed over many bridges. I have seen many bridges. I have been under many bridges and at the end of each bridge, there is hope and light. Cross Bridges. Digital art created on canvas. Afrika Abney

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...

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Quote found on the Internet “Eleanor Roosevelt once articulated a profound observation regarding the nature of intellectual discourse. She suggested that the most insightful individuals engage in conversations centered around ideas, exploring concepts that can inspire change and innovation. This perspective emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and the pursuit of knowledge, encouraging individuals to elevate their discussions beyond the mundane and to focus on the transformative power of ideas. In contrast, Roosevelt pointed out that those with a more conventional mindset tend to focus their discussions on events. This approach, while still valuable, often limits the scope of conversation to what is happening in the world around us, rather than delving into the underlying principles or philosophies that drive those events. By concentrating on occurrences, average minds may miss the opportunity to analyze the implications and lessons that can be drawn from them, the...

Oil Pastels

"Soft pastels are created by combining the pigment with water and a form of artificial binder. They are very dry, crumble easily and have a feel that is comparable to a stick of chalk. Oil pastels are slightly more durable than soft pastels and will not crumble as easily." I was first introduced to oil pastels when I was a student at various art institutions. Although, I have not created many paintings using oil pastels, I still enjoy using oil pastels as one of the materials that I implement for my collage art. Photo found on the Internet

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