FIRST LADY

Cynthia Perkins Smith, a proud native of Alabama, is a devoted Christian educator, leader, and servant of God. She received her early education in the Bessemer Public School System, earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Miles College in Birmingham, Alabama, and pursued further studies at Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana.

As First Lady of the historic New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan—where her husband, Rev. Robert Smith, Jr., serves as Senior Pastor and CEO—Sister Smith has been a steadfast force for spiritual growth and community service. She directed the Children’s Ministry for 18 years, taught Kindergarten Sunday School for 25 years, and founded the Tuesday Hour of Power Bible Study Group, which continues to bless the congregation.

Mrs. Smith’s passion for education extended beyond the church walls. She taught in both Catholic and public-school systems in Alabama and Michigan before moving into leadership within Baptist ministries. Her service includes thirteen years as President of the Michigan District Baptist Association Ministers’ Wives and Widows, ten years as President of the Woman’s Auxiliary of the Michigan District Baptist Association, and ten years as President of the B.M. & E. State Convention of Michigan Women’s Ministry.

Her dedication has also reached a national and international stage. For more than twenty years, she has taught Ministers’ Wives in the National Baptist Convention Congress of Christian Education and served over a decade on its Oratorical Commission. In 2015, she was appointed Midwest Region Vice President of the Woman’s Auxiliary of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., and in 2017, Dr. Jerry Young appointed her as its National President.

Sister Smith’s ministry has taken her across the globe. She attended the Baptist World Alliance Women’s Leadership Conference and World Congress in South Africa in 2015 and journeyed to Israel in 2017 with the Baptist World Alliance Women. She currently serves on the Executive Board of the Baptist Women of North America. Her many accolades include the Grace A. Cobb Missionary Award, the Michigan Chronicle Salute to First Ladies Award, and the B.M.&E. State Convention Ushers Speakers Award.

She has been a featured speaker in Nassau, Bahamas; Frankfurt, Germany; Brooklyn, New York; Houston, Texas; Raleigh, North Carolina; Selma, Alabama; Jackson, Mississippi; Shreveport, Louisiana; and Little Rock, Arkansas, among many others—always sharing the Word of God with grace and conviction.

Sister Smith and Pastor Robert Smith, Jr. have been married for over 50 years and are the proud parents of four adult children—Sherique, Conderidge, Terique, and Erma (god-daughter)—and the joyful grandparents of Joshua, Austin, Grace, Lauren, and Josiah.

Above all, Cynthia Perkins Smith is a living expression of God’s love. Her faith-filled journey is chronicled in her autobiography, Just Let Me Tell You, where she shares her heart, her ministry, and her testimony to inspire generations to come.