Cynthia Upchurch’s Powerful Collection of Stories from Abuse Survivors Set for Outdoor Exhibit at PRLF 2024

In the last several decades, more and more stories of abuse have been exposed in every area of society, be it at home, church, school, workplace, and other dark corners in between. Yet, as troubling as these stories are, they are also empowering movements that increase awareness, help heal victims, and advocate harder for prevention.

Cynthia M. Upchurch is one such abuse survivor who is ever eager to keep up this good fight.

When she was still very young, she became a victim of sexual abuse. Yet today, she stands tall as the founder of the I Am a Survivor support group and non-profit. Having spent most of her life empowering herself as a professional and entrepreneur, she founded her group on TikTok before it soon exploded into an even bigger project about helping fellow abuse survivors heal, call out their victimizers, and become forces of positive change.

As part of that project, she wrote down her story and those of several other survivors, then set out to publish them as a book titled “A Legacy of Secrets & Lies.” Sharing these stories out in the open is her organization’s way of declaring that all victims of abuse are not alone in their painful struggle to overcome their trauma.

The book is slated to appear at an exhibit during the Printers Row Lit Fest 2024, one of the largest outdoor book exhibits in the Midwest. It will be held on September 7-8, 2024, at Printers Row Park, 620 S Dearborn St (Ida B Wells & Polk), Chicago, Illinois. The book will be displayed by the self-publishing and book marketing company ReadersMagnet.

Those who would like to read the stories of abuse survivors for themselves can easily find Cynthia Michele Upchurch’s “A Legacy of Secrets & Lies” at the ReadersMagnet exhibit. They can also purchase copies on Amazon. Meanwhile, those who would like to reach out and learn more about the I Am a Survivor organization can visit their official website at https://iamasurvivorgroup.org/.

“A Legacy of Secrets & Lies”
Author: Cynthia Michele Upchurch
Published date: June 21, 2024
Publisher: Amazon
Genre: Self-Help

Author’s Biography
As she sits down to pen her first book, she has overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to share her and other’s stories. Her life has been a tumultuous journey, marked by challenges and triumphs that have shaped her into the person She is today.

Born in the vibrant city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she was raised by my late parents, Clifton and Costella Black, as their only child. But the idyllic image of a happy family was shattered early on. She had already been a victim of molestation at such a young age, she found myself thrust into motherhood, a responsibility She embraced with fierce determination. Two years later, she entered into marriage, seeking solace and stability amidst the chaos of her youth.

Yet, the shadows of trauma loomed large over of her life. She endured the pain of physical abuse for years, a burden that weighed heavily on her spirit. Despite the darkness that threatened to engulf her, she refused to surrender to despair. Instead, she summoned the strength within her to persevere, to rise above the adversity that sought to define her.

Education became her beacon of hope, a path toward a brighter future. Balancing the roles of mother, employee. and wife, I pursued a degree in Marketing and Retailing, after graduating with high honors, she discovered a newfound sense of empowerment, proof that resilience knows no bounds.

Armed with knowledge and determination, she ventured into the world of Sales and Catering in the hospitality Industry, leveraging her expertise to forge a successful career. Yet, amidst the hustle and bustle of corporate life, she never lost sight of my true purpose.

Now, in the embrace of retirement, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to giving back. Her experiences as a survivor have in stilled in me a deep sense of compassion for those grappling with their own traumas. Thus, the “I Am a Survivor” group was born—a sanctuary where individuals can find solace, support, and solidarity on their healing journey.

From online Bible studies to Zoom meetings, she strived to spread a message of hope and resilience to remind others that they are not alone in their struggles. For her, the greatest fulfillment lies in witnessing the transformation of pain into power, of wounds into wisdom.

As she embarks on her new chapter of my life as an author, she has humbled by the opportunity to share my story with the world. May her journey serve as a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human soul, a beacon of hope for those who dare to dream of a brighter tomorrow.

Contact Information

ReadersMagnet

Publishing and Marketing

ReadersMagnet LLC

info@readersmagnet.com