Cynthia W. Turner, PhD, CPA, is a native of Portsmouth, VA and holds an undergraduate degree (North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC), a master’s degree and doctorate degree (The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH) in accounting. She currently serves on the faculty in the accountancy department at the University of Illinois. She also leads the national recording contemporary gospel ensemble, Cynthia Turner and Heartspeak. A devoted wife, Dr. Turner is married to Stellar‐nominated jazz guitarist and music educator, Kevin Turner. Further, she and her husband are the loving parents of two young sons, Julien and Justen, and adult daughter, Kia. She is the author of a book, My Seven‐Day Makeover, chronicling her battle against breast cancer. She is an evangelist at Canaan Missionary Baptist Church and director of the Womenʹs Ministry.

Cynthia was featured in Difference Makers 2010: An eBlack Champaign-Urbana Publication.