Cynthia is an educator in a middle school for New York City Department of Education. Her latest graduation was from Bank Street College in Manhattan with a masters of education degree in administration. After 18 years of working with mothers of students and mothers of murdered sons, Cynthia noticed that, in a tri-state area bursting with wealth, there was a surprising void of many programs for the Mothers who are broken and struggling, without a prototype. She wanted Mothers, like herself, to sit with other Mothers to talk, laugh, smile, and cry. Mothers represent more than just those women who gave birth because giving birth alone, does not make a woman a “Mother”. She wanted Mothers like herself, who were raised by a community of mothers, aunts, sisters, godmothers, and grandmothers to partnership with Brown Urban Mothers and be the illustration that they seldom see where they reside. In October 2012 she launched Tha B.U.M.P. “Brown Urban Mother Partnership”, hosting an informational breast cancer session “Save the Women not the Boobies” inviting mothers from the community to sit and enjoy healthy foods while engaging in dialogue about breast cancer. Cynthia Turnquest-Jones has received recognition from the Ramarley Graham family by organizing educators and students to march for Ramarley’s Justice. An avid philanthropist, Cynthia is involved with several organizations. In addition to Tha B.U.M.P, Cynthia is a member of Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated, Mocha Moms, Incorporated, MAMAiAM, the Episcopal Church Women, secretary for Mount Saint Michael Academy PTA in the Bronx, and a member of Graham Elementary School PTA. Goals as a School Board Trustee: I believe that all "Children are First". As a Mount Vernon School Board of Trustee I will continue to focus on the goals towards enhancing college and career ready students. Together we must improve the academic performance of our students. We must also maintain and provide quality professional development for all educators. We must create parent academies in each school where parents receive tools to empower their children. As stake holders we are obligated to increase the standards and increase each students educational journey.