Cynthia Valentine is a playwright, producer, author, actress, educator, speaker, and ministry leader who serves as Founder and CEO of Destiny Publishings LLC, a multimedia publishing and production company dedicated to inspiring, educating, and empowering audiences through faith-based and transformational storytelling.

 

A graduate of Georgia State University, Cynthia earned dual degrees in Journalism and Professional Writing and Journalism with a concentration in Broadcast Journalism, along with a minor in Speech. She graduated Magna Cum Laude and further developed her theatrical craft through advanced studies under renowned playwright Dr. Shirlene Holmes.

 

Creativity and excellence are part of Cynthia's heritage. Her father, Lewis Peters, was Hollywood's first African American sound engineer and received multiple Grammy Awards, including recognition for his work on Gloria Gaynor's iconic hit, I Will Survive. Inspired by his groundbreaking career, Cynthia has built a distinguished legacy of her own spanning more than two decades in theater, television, publishing, education, and ministry.

 

As a playwright, producer, and director, Cynthia has written, produced, and directed numerous community and church productions. Her first professional stage play, Nativity Unleashed, premiered to a sold-out audience in 2017 and returned for additional successful runs and a regional tour. She later created Calvary Unleashed: I'm Not Going to Nail Jesus to the Cross Again and Cinderella Unleashed, continuing her mission of using powerful storytelling to inspire, heal, and transform lives.

 

In film and media production, Cynthia produced segments for the talk show Dropping Gems and collaborated on multiple projects with acclaimed actor and filmmaker Bill Duke, including the animated film The Journey, which premiered in Atlanta. Through Destiny Publishings, she has produced more than twenty creative projects, including books, spoken-word albums, stage productions, and multimedia productions.

 

As an actress, Cynthia has appeared in television productions including The Resident, Lodge 49, Star, and Greenleaf, and portrayed Marian Paulsen in the recurring series Conversations with God. Her stage performances include productions at the historic Los Angeles Theatre, Georgia State University's production of She, and numerous theatrical and spoken-word showcases. She also headlined Visions Through Me, a multidisciplinary presentation featuring dancers, vocalists, actors, and poets.

 

A prolific author, Cynthia has written the inspirational biography My Glory, My Story, the poetry collection Unwrapped, and the groundbreaking Innocent Betrayal novel series, including Melinda's Story, Anthony's Story, and Trevon's Story. She is currently completing the fourth installment in the series. She is also the creator of three spoken-word albums: Role Model, Messed Up to Be Blessed Up, and My Heart Said I Love You.

 

Throughout her career, Cynthia has been a featured author, speaker, performer, and media guest across the country. She has appeared on Atlanta Live, The West Coast Apollo Television Show, L.A. Inside Out, and numerous radio programs, including multiple appearances on 860 Love AM's Women of Standard. Her spoken-word recordings continue to reach audiences through streaming platforms and online media outlets.

​

Cynthia's performing arts career also includes appearances with Roni's Backstreet Poetry, performances at the Comedy Store's Cometri, Marla Gibbs Theatre, Universal CityWalk, the Ontario Convention Center, The African Marketplace, and numerous churches, colleges, and community events throughout California and Georgia. She was also a featured author and performer at Borders Bookstore's Third Street Promenade location in Santa Monica, California.

 

Beyond her accomplishments in the arts, Cynthia has dedicated more than forty years to Christian ministry, outreach, leadership, and discipleship. She attended the Central Georgia School of Ministry for three years, earning licenses as a Deaconess Missionary and Evangelist. Shortly after accepting Christ, she became active in grassroots ministry efforts, including bus ministries that brought children to Sunday School, community feeding programs for the less fortunate, and evangelistic outreach initiatives throughout local neighborhoods.

 

Her passion for ministry led her to establish and direct a Christian drill team and drum corps that ministered through performances, parades, and community events. She also served faithfully in a morning prayer ministry where she developed a strong prayer life, spiritual discernment, and a deeper understanding of spiritual warfare and prophetic ministry.

 

Recognizing the impact of creative expression in advancing the Kingdom of God, Cynthia founded and directed The Arts Ministry at her local church, overseeing a team of leaders responsible for multiple step teams, dance ministries, an oratorical team, and a drama department. Under her leadership, the ministry planned and executed major church productions, holiday presentations, community outreach events, and evangelistic programs that resulted in many lives being impacted for Christ.

 

For thirteen years, Cynthia co-founded and co-pastored Blessed Assurance COGIC, helping build a thriving ministry focused on reaching the unchurched and transforming lives through the power of the Gospel. During her tenure, she served in numerous leadership roles, including Chief Financial Officer, Church Administrator, Women's Ministry Leader, Spiritual Counselor, Devotion Leader, Van Ministry Coordinator, and organizer of special programs and community outreach initiatives. Through these efforts, the church became a community hub for toy drives, school supply distributions, and outreach events, including partnerships with organizations such as Toys for Tots.

 

Cynthia also served South Central Georgia COGIC as Secretary of the Pastors' Wives Department and as a Jurisdictional Public Speaking Coach, equipping leaders to communicate with confidence and excellence.

​

Today, Cynthia continues her ministry service as Director of Church Growth and Development at New Direction COGIC in Upland, California, under the leadership of Bishop Raymond E. Watts. She remains committed to helping churches grow spiritually, numerically, and strategically while mentoring leaders and strengthening ministries.

In addition to her ministry work, Cynthia provides coaching in public speaking, acting, writing, book development, and personal empowerment. Through publishing, education, ministry, and the performing arts, she continues to inspire audiences to discover their purpose, embrace their gifts, and walk boldly in their God-given calling.