Filmmakers and Producers

As an award winning documentary filmmaker, Leslie wrote, produced and directed, UNTOLD LEGACY, an Award Winning documentary, which premiered at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), and received an award for, "Best Documentary Short," by the Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival. Her film premiered at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), had its Washington, DC, premiere, at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Film & Media Arts Festival, and has been “The Official Selection," in numerous film festivals including the VIBE Urban World Film Festival, New York City Shorts, Human Rights Film Festival, and Silver Docs.

Leslie’s film was nominated by, “The Foundation for the Advancement of African Americans in Film (FAAAF),” 7th Annual Black Reel Awards in Washington, DC, for, "Best Independent Mini Documentary." Untold Legacy had its first television premiere on BET J (Jazz), on BET J's “Best Shorts Series,” and was also shown on “Free Speech Television,” and WNET, Channel Thirteen in New York. Most recently her film premiered on the ASPIRE Channel as a part of the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), an independent showcase of popular and award winning films. Hosted by actor Omari Hardwick, the title of the segment was, “City Streets.”

Untold Legacy is in the library film collection of several universities and colleges including Stanford, University of Michigan, and Duke.

Untold Legacy was used as an educational tool in San Francisco, California, to rally the legislature to pass the Slavery Era Disclosure Ordinance. The Ordinance received a unanimous vote of support.

Leslie completed her second film, a profile on the late, legendary activist, dancer, and choreographer Eleo Pomare. The film focuses on Eleo's choreographed works dealing with the socio-political issues of the 1970's and 1980's, including HIV/AIDS and its impact on the legacy of accomplished dancers.

In addition to film, Leslie has also garnered important production experience producing radio shows for the WOMEN'S COLLECTIVE on WBAI, 99.5 FM. Using her research, writing, and communication skills, she co-produced and co-hosted a two part series focusing on the controversial struggle for tribal inclusion of African Americans with Native American ancestry (Freedmans) into the Cherokee nation. She also co-produced and co-hosted a radio show called, “Women on the Frontlines,” representing a series of interviews with women from Darfur discussing the Sudan genocide. She co-produced and co-hosted shows on the Reparations Movement, and the Immigration issue in the U.S.

Leslie was also invited to exhibit several of her professional photographs at the SOHO Gallery for Digital Art in New York City. In recognition of her film and radio advocacy work, Leslie was awarded the University of Chicago, Booth Graduate School of Business, AAMBAA, Arthur Turnbull Award for Public Service.