Leslie D. Lanier is originally from New Jersey and moved to the borderland almost nine years ago. When she arrived, Leslie had already worked as a model and an actress but saw the void in media as she was constantly being offered roles that were portraying black women in a negative light. This is what prompted Lanier to create space and become a director. In 2018, Leslie made the switch and set out on a new journey as a director and screenwriter. Her goal is to tell stories that some might not normally see in the Borderland and break away from typical storylines usually reserved for female characters, lgbtq, and people of color. In addition to this goal, with a film crew that is 50% female, Leslie also plans to foster and promote more women in media and directing roles. Especially in El Paso, where the crews and directors are very male centric.