Dr. Leslie Parker Barnes is a native of Akron, Ohio. She graduated from Akron Public Schools and continued her education at Bowling Green State University. After receiving an Associate Degree in Applied Business she furthered her education at the McCreary Center for Black Religious Studies receiving a diploma in Black Religious Studies. She then went on to obtain a Master of Divinity degree from Ashland Theological Seminary and received her Doctorate in Worship from the Robert Webber Institute for Worship Studies in June of 2016.

Leslie Parker Barnes, Founder and Executive Director, Emeritus of the Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop, has been with YEPAW since 1990, encouraging youth, through the arts, to pursue lifestyles of excellence.

Dr. Barnes serves as the Minister of Praise & Worship Arts at Arlington Church of God in Akron and is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Leslie is married to Ted Barnes and they have four children, Rochelle, Rachel, Theo, Kimberly and a grandson, Trey Immanuel Barnes.