Elesha Barnette

Elesha (also credited as E.R. Barnette) is a writer, director, producer, director of photography. Elesha believes artists are prophets in disguise. That there is a unique story in every frame. That the future of media belongs to those willing to explore every medium to uncover stories yet untold. A Joseph E. and Grace Needham Pogue Scholar, Elesha attended UNC Chapel Hill where she was awarded the Earl Wynn Award for Excellence in Production. During her senior year she wrote, produced and directed feature film, "Key Lime Pie". A few days before graduation she was blindfolded and led to Old Chapel Hill Cemetery in the middle of the night where she was tapped as a member of "The Order of the Golden Fleece", UNC's highest honorary society, for her "significant and long-lasting contributions to media diversity". Most recently she completed the 2020 Power of Diversity Master Workshop for the screenplay, "International Sweethearts of Rhythm". Founder of The Puma Squad - a production company dedicated to super-natural, thriller, sci-fi content that puts women in front and behind the camera, her successful web series "Last Life" boasts over 60 million views. Currently she is working on short film, "You're Beautiful, Baby" which she co-produced with talent agent Candace Stewart.