Cynthia Smalls is the Founder of Melanin & Pink Ribbons: A Blog for Black Women Fighting & Surviving Breast Cancer 

Cynthia Smalls is a wife, mother, and breast cancer survivor who turned her journey into advocacy. She is the founder of Melanin & Pink Ribbons, a blog dedicated to empowering Black women facing breast cancer. Cynthia is the author of Push the Button: A Seven-Step Approach to Life’s Changes, Positive Affirmation Journal for Breast Cancer Fighters & Survivors, and Love, Strength & Crayons, a therapeutic coloring book for children whose mothers are in treatment. Now retired, she devotes her life to family, faith, and raising awareness so no woman feels alone in the fight

This is her interview

What has been the most surprising thing that has happened on your journey to Wisdom?    On my journey, the most surprising occurrence has been becoming an advocate for early detection of breast cancer. I did not set out to take on that role, but it has evolved into my passion.

Tell us about any community projects you are involved in and why you support them.  I believe in the power of reading, so I regularly participate in book fairs within my community. I speak at community events when possible about my breast cancer journey. I am an active member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., which allows me to mentor others.

What is your secret indulgence? I love to binge-watch series like Bridgerton, Lincoln Lawyer, and Christmas movies.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?  My first attempts at marketing were not successful at all. I did not have the skill set and was not savvy with social media. However, I was able to teach myself basic social media principles, and I researched how to reach new readers. I asked other authors for successful techniques, too. It boiled down to getting outside my comfort zone and asking for help.

What advice would you give to a woman over 40?  I would tell her to be bold in planning and acquiring her dreams. Your 40s are a time to focus on your own dreams, get in touch with how you can achieve them, so you can act with precision. Dreams can be achieved if we plan for success.

When did you start your business? I began my blog, Melanin & Pink Ribbons, in October 2021. It led me to self-publish my first book, Push the Button, June 2024, and my second book, Positive Affirmations for Breast Cancer Fighters & Survivors, in January 2025. My evolution has been organic as time has moved on to increase awareness within my community.

How did you get the concept for your business? In June 2016, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and during my diagnosis and treatment, I was inundated with information and resources. The problem was that none of the women featured looked like me. As a Black woman, that was hurtful and, for a time, made me feel invisible, so I made up my mind to do something about it. As I reached survivorship, I wrestled with what to do to assist other Black women on the journey, and my blog was born.

What is one book you would recommend to our community and why? I recommend The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. It’s an excellent read on the source of self-limiting beliefs that inhibit our realization of joy and contentment.  Within its 138 pages, each chapter is cohesive and can be read as a stand-alone, depending on what your needs are at the moment.

Learn more about Cynthia at www.melaninpinkribons.com

Connect with her on social media:

Threads profile: https://www.threads.com/@melaninpinkribbons

Instagram profile: https://www.instagram.com/melaninpinkribbons/