Countdown to Mother’s Day 2024

The Unstoppable Cheryl Smith, Adopted Mother of Four

This ‘Countdown to Mother’s Day’ was such a rewarding series.  I just felt that Mother’s Day really needed more attention, time, and space. Certainly, more than a day. The traditional role of a woman called Mother has been unstudied and redefined. Giving birth does not make you a mother.

We are ending this fascinating series with one.. true adopted mother with icon status…meeting the needs of the next generation.

Her name is Cheryl Smith. This year, she served as the National Treasurer of the powerful NNPA (National Newspaper Publishers Association).  I could tell you that she is a brilliant living legend, well-known among the ranks of kings, queens, presidents, pretenders, and diplomats.  A graduate of Florida A&M University, well endowed with honor and respect, locally and worldwide.  I can tell you, too, that she has received countless recognitions and affected thousands of young lives, especially in the newsprint world and beyond, i.e., coaching, mentoring, counseling, and teaching. She is an experienced businesswoman owning/managing three (3) newspapers powered by a ‘cool’ disposition and a warm smile. In 2022, she was recognized as one of the “Top 25 Publishers Over Fifty”.

The absolute beauty about Cheryl Smith is she adopted four (4) children without a lot of fanfare. It was a blend of love, duty and a heavy dose of ‘can-do’ spirit. For a single person with a growing business, places to go…. that has to modify your life, but the entire ordeal was seamless.

So….Happy Mother’s Day…. to the big-hearted Cheryl Smiths of the universe.

Happy Day to ‘Grandmother’s Raising Grandchildren’…. another growing phenomenon in our communities.