I am an Afro-Latina, Dominican American writer, mother, and social work advocate for education from the Bronx. I am committed to educating, inspiring and moving people to find their gifts, talents and abilities to live a purpose driven life. A member of the New York City Latina Writer’s Group, I am currently working on a novel, Born to Live, a story of trials, resilience and triumph in the life of an Afro-Latina from the Bronx. As a PhD candidate at the CUNY Graduate Center Urban Education program, I am exploring how language, racial and ethnic identity impact the professional experiences of Latino and Latina bilingual social workers in schools in NYC. When I am not writing, I am having fun with my children, Amiri & Nyilah and husband, Chef Winston Thomas. Cindy can be contacted via email at: cindybautistathomas@gmail.com.
In honor of my mother, Isabel Bautista who transitioned on April 11, 2021. How did she do it? That’s a question I have heard from the time I was in grade school until now referring to my mother and her ability to raise five children, in public housing, while on public assistance, and dealing with … More Welfare mom with an entrepreneurial spirit: How my mom raised 5 leaders
Joy by Cindy Bautista-Thomas I only wanted to share my joy, my laughter, my love to everyone I meet. And in sharing that I unleashed a power I didn’t know I had in my speaking, in my writing and in my being. Brief interactions that make people feel like they’ve known me forever. And … More Joy! Week9/52 #52essays2017
This piece is written as part of the #52essays2017 challenge initiated by Vanessa Martir. Currently we are on week 28th and I am on my 9th piece because life happens. $30,000! My mouth opened wide in disbelief. Do people really pay that much to send their kids to school? I couldn’t believe it. I was a sophomore in high … More How to POP and Thrive at an Independent School as a POC!
This piece is written as part of the #52essays2017 challenge initiated by Vanessa Martir. Currently we are on week 16 and I am on my 9th piece because life happens. Enjoy! I was inspired by a narrative medicine writing session and wanted to share this with you. Pathway I should know this pathway – the pathway of resilience, of … More Pathway Week 9/52 #52essays2017
This essay is written as part of the #52essays2017 challenge initiated by Vanessa Martir. Currently we are on week 11 and I am on my 8th essay because life happens. Enjoy! I cheated a bit on this entry because I was feeling nostalgic about a trip I took in March, 2015 to Ghana. I am so grateful … More Ghana, Thank You! Week 8/52 #52essays2017
A few thoughts Week 7/52 #52essays2017 This essay is written as part of the #52essays2017 challenge initiated by Vanessa Martir. Currently we are on week 11 and I am on my 7th essay because life happens. Enjoy! Pathway I should know this pathway – the pathway of resilience, of strength. My mom taught me that. … More A few thoughts Week 7/52 #52essays2017
I Am Here 6/52 #52essays2017 This essay is written as part of the #52essays2017 challenge initiated by Vanessa Martir. Currently we are on week 10 and I am on my 6th essay because life happens and I am happy to share of myself with you. I was Here by Beyoncé is a song that I have been listening … More I Am Here! Week 6/52 #52essays2017
Reflections on Turning 40! It has been nearly four months since I turned 40 and the other day a dear friend took me out to dinner at my favorite Ethiopian restaurant Massawa. She also gave me a beautiful moss agate necklace. Coincidence, I think not. When I looked up the significance of the precious … More Reflections on Turning 40 5/52 #52essays2017
While on the way home from Iyawo’s Writing from the Womb class, I opened my Facebook App despite the ban I put myself on until I complete my dissertation proposal. The first post I saw was a posting from my sister Sofia Bautista Pertuz, the founder of the blog, Latinas Completing Doctoral Degrees and Facebook group, … More Thank you Sofia! Week 4/52 #52essays2017
Of all the roles that I play in life, for me, the most important one is the role of a mother. As far as I can remember I knew that one day I wanted to be a mother. There were so many things that my parents did that I made a mental note not to … More The Joy and Pain of Parenting: The Untold Story – Week 3/52 #52essays2017
Cindy Maria Bautista-Thomas 