Black History Month: Presenter and author Cynthia Garrett helped me believe that, with God, I can overcome anything

The theme of this Black History Month is ‘Saluting our Sisters’ and writer Hope Bonarcher explains why she’s inspired by presenter and author Cynthia Garrett.

I read Cynthia Garrett’s 2016 memoir: Prodigal Daughter: A Journey Home to Identity back in 2019 and was riveted! It was like reading the crazy backstory of your slightly older celebrity best friend who became a Christian, over mocktails and sushi. I wanted to call her Mrs. Garrett, but not only does this bring to mind an inaccurate image of the endearing housekeeper from some of my favorite 80s sitcoms, but I also feel like I know her so well that we’re now on first name terms.

I’m convinced upon meeting, her husky, gregarious voice would quickly ingratiate me onto a first name basis. Fun fact: in elementary school I made up a weird lie that my middle name was Cynthia, but I think the only actual Cynthia I’ve ever known (though removedly) is this one!