We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cynthia Smalls a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Cynthia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

My journey began with being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016. As a patient, I was given many resources but none of the information featured anyone that looked like me. As a Black woman that was hurtful and in survivorship I decided to do something about it to make it better for those fighters coming behind me. I founded my blog Melanin & Pink Ribbons in 2021. In 2023 I extended my outreach with my first book, Push the Button: A Seven-Step Approach to Life’s Changes. The book details moving from a negative place to a positive one when life throws you a curve ball. My second book Positive Affirmation Journal for Breast Cancer Fighters & Survivors is the book I needed as a fighter but never found so I created it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I founded a blog named Melanin & Pink Ribbons found at www.melaninpinkribons.com for Black women fitting and surviving breast cancer. One of the worst statistics is that Black women are dying 42% more than our counterparts from breast cancer. While there are many reasons for this my blog gives easy-to-understand snapshots of information to educate on breast health and breast cancer awareness for my community. I have conceived, written, and have had a video with instructions on how to perform a Breast Self Exam for Black women and another for Black men. All of my graphics showcase Back women as a means to reach my community who need this information.
I am most proud of my first book Push the Button because it represents a fulfilled dream and my desire to help others. Life has a way of hurling things at us out of our control, be it a new job, the loss of a parent, or an illness we need coping skills. My book gives the reader a guide on how to strive and move to a positive place. I weave stories from my breast cancer journey to model how the steps of the process work.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

As a Blogger I am most proud of the outreach I have accomplished. When I get emails and messages from women sharing what they learned from the blog and they shared the information I am elated. I am a strong believer in the power that one person can change the world one at a time. My blog has been read in the United States, Nigeria, Kenya, Canada, Ireland, Portugal, and Sweden. This affirms the need for grassroots breast health awareness and I am making a difference.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

An example of my resilience beyond being a breast cancer Survivor is being open to the process of learning how to execute my plans for the blog. I had zero knowledge of blogging or social media but I accessed resources from my circle of family and friends and learned how to ask for help. I had to understand how I start is not how I finish. My blog grew very slowly and I had to adjust my expectations and be willing to try new things and ways of showcasing the information.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.melaninpinkribbons.com
• Instagram: melaninpinkribons or author_cynthia_smalls
• Facebook: Author Cynthia Smalls
• Other: Threads Cynthia Smalls