YEPAW, Vocal Ensemble

The Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop (YEPAW) is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization with a mission to encourage youth, through the arts, to pursue lifestyles of excellence. YEPAW has attracted international attention because of its deep commitment to nurturing the talents and self-confidence of young people, and impact the program continues to have on urban youth. It was begun by Leslie Parker Barnes in response to a comment someone made to her in 1990 about our youth being a “hopeless generation.” This was the beginning of a 20 year quest that is still going strong.

Today, YEPAW annually serves 500 urban middle and high school youth beginning with a one-week intensive summer workshop on the campus of The University of Akron. From this group, 50 students are selected through an application process to participate in YEPAW 365, an after-school and weekend program that extends their arts education and enrichment experiences with academic support, leadership development, career awareness, community service and mentoring programs to support their holistic development.

About Leslie Parker Barnes:
Mrs. Barnes, Executive Director of YEPAW, has an Associate Degree in Applied Business from Bowling Green State University and a Master of Divinity Degree from Ashland Theological Seminary. In 2006, she was the recipient of the Akron Beacon Journal’s “Extraordinary Woman Crystal Award” in recognition of her service to youth. She is also the Minister of Praise and Worship at the Arlington Church of God and a popular vocalist who performs with the nationally acclaimed gospel group, Divine Hope. She is married to Ted, and they have two children, Theo and Kimberly.