The Rev. Dr. Cynthia A. Wilson
Japanese culture honors those of its citizenry who have attained high mastery of an art or craft by bestowing upon them the honorific Ningen KokuhÅ, "living national treasure." These individuals are certified as preservers of important intangible cultural properties.
The honorific Ningen KokuhÅ aptly applies to the Rev. Dr. Cynthia Ann Wilson---lecturer, preacher, teacher, conductor, concert artist, and entrepreneur. Dr. Wilson was born and reared in New Orleans, Louisiana to Mrs. Thelma Wilson and the late Rev. Eli Wilson. "My musical, liturgical, ecclesial, theological, and biblical foundations were established in the context of the Baptist Church," Dr. Wilson said as she reflected on her childhood. Music was central in her life, and the Baptist Church is where she honed her craft. Dr. Wilson and her five brothers were the music department in her father's church, serving as musicians, choir, and choir directors.
Dr. Wilson has been on this journey with Africa University since the summer of 1992 when she was first introduced to James H. Salley, the institution's newly hired Associate Vice-Chancellor for Institutional Advancement. Since that time, she has performed more than one hundred fund-raising concerts for the institution, raising in excess of $2 million for the institution.
When asked what are her hopes and dreams for Africa University, Dr. Wilson replied, "I have hope that the extraordinary leaders who have been raised up from Africa University will take their rightful places at the helm of government, education, commerce, health care, and agriculture across the continent. I have faith that their leadership will bring about the kind of change that will serve to rekindle a flame that will not destroy, but that will burn brightly in the hearts and minds of African peoples."