Barbara Cottman Becnel (b. May 30, 1950) is an author, journalist, and film producer. Becnel was a close friend of and advocate for executed Crips co-founder Stanley Williams (a convicted murderer and former gang leader who would later become an anti-gang activist and writer), and editor of Williams's series of children's books, which spoke out against gang violence. She was co-producer of the Golden Globe nominated film Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story which starred award winning actress Lynn Whitfield playing the role of Becnel.