#NNPA BlackPress

Tech Diva Cynthia Renee Frazier Succumbs

PRECINCT REPORTER GROUP NEWS — Tenacious businesswoman, loving grandmother, teacher and down to earth social justice advocate are a just few of the many endearing qualities to describe local tech diva, Cynthia Renee Frazier. Ms. Frazier passed away last week.

Published

5 years ago

August 10, 2019

Precinct Reporter News

(l-r) Cynthia Renee Frazier and Charmain Johnson . (Photo by: precinctreporter.com)

By Dianne Anderson

Tenacious businesswoman, loving grandmother, teacher and down to earth social justice advocate are a just few of the many endearing qualities to describe local tech diva, Cynthia Renee Frazier.

Ms. Frazier passed away last week.

Charmain Johnson reflects on 20 years of their friendship, the long intellectual conversations about the community, business and social progress. They talked about getting beyond the obstacles of life and business.

“We just clicked and came together and said, hey, here’s the solution,”she said.

Together, they put on forums for women to talk about issues of impact and how to get plugged into what it takes to be in business as an entrepreneur on a formal level, she said.

She said Frazier wanted to present a structured approach and steps that women could take both at a personal and professional level to meet their goals and dreams.

“Cynthia was a very technical, methodical person, she was very caring, hands-on, and a do-what-you have-to-do kind of a gal,” Johnson said.

Frazier had a lot of love for the community and was a willing helper for many who asked. At a time when others in her circle were becoming grandparents, she also took on a mission to raise her grandson, Isaiah, from infancy.

“That stood out for me, she took on the role as a mother. That was admirable at her age, and to take care of a baby,”she said.

At a time when few women possessed her level of technical ability, Frazier was setting a higher standard. She founded Tech Divas Uncorked, where Johnson assisted with marketing, to teach women how to use tech to grow their own companies.

Johnson said she learned everything she knew about technology from Frazier in those early years.

“Her tech-savvy goes back to when the internet first got started,” she said. “She goes back before social media, before Facebook. She taught technology at the community college level and worked in technology for a long time.”

Through her career and her personal life, Frazier pressed on with several business models with the heart of a fighter.

“She’s had some great challenges in life that she’s overcome, and she’s taken it in stride” she said.

Kimberly Woods, who has a teen outreach program, recalls Frazier as an ardent community supporter. She said Frazier attended her vendor event with a booth for her business and held great influence in the community.

Everyone knew her and loved her.

“She talked to the audience about how they needed to learn computers at a time when people didn’t know how to use computers, or programs. She taught all of that,” Woods said.“She was just a great person inside and out.”

Trudy Coleman said Frazier was always supportive of her events, and regularly participated in the MLK breakfast, and Juneteenth.

“It was heartfelt for me because I know she’s a giver, always trying to help.“She’s definitely a loss to the community,” said Coleman, CEO/Founder of the Juneteenth Education Technology Mobile Arts Center, Inc.

Not only admired for her technical skills, she was also admired for her eagerness to share advice on how to create winning businesses and nonprofits.

Terrance Stone, founder and CEO of Young Visionaries Youth Leadership Academy, said that they often traveled in the same circles. She always brought a smile to the room.

Stone would invite her to meet with the IE Minority Led Resource Development Coalition, and she would come out to talk to their organizations about ways to strengthen their business outreach.

She called herself a tech diva to make it more appealing for the kids, he said. It was her way of showing that technology, as a career, was a cool choice.

“She was known as the tech diva, but probably before any other African American female, she was trying to push the issue with our kids about STEM,” Stone said. “With African American kids, all kids, she wanted to show the influence of career choices in technology.”

To Kim“Kat”Shepherd, who teaches business and computer courses at UCR Extension, Frazier was a trailblazer and pioneer in the tech field.

In many ways, Frazier was charting a new course for the community. Shepherd first met her at Riverside Chamber of Commerce events and said that she brought a special kind of energy to support tech in the Black community. Her nonprofit, Mobile Commerce Digital Technology Alliance, focused on business development and innovation.

“She was in the forefront of tech,” Shepherd said. “She was one of the first people to present tech and showcase tech in the Riverside community, which is predominantly an audience that is not Black women.”

Shepherd, who is also a grandmother, admired the legacy and love she had for her grandson. She said Frazier always wanted to include him in the back-end technical work and instill in him a sense of entrepreneurship.

“Her passion and love transcended from love to Isaiah. She planted all of these seeds in the community. It’s exponential what she did,” she said.

This article originally appeared in The Precinct Reporter News Group.

Precinct Reporter News

Posts by Precinct Reporter News

Up Next

Sigma Beta Xi, ACLU Slow School Pipeline to Prison

Don't Miss

Attendees on What They Thought of City’s Inaugural Freedom Fest

Precinct Reporter News

1 Comment

#NNPA BlackPress

OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

#NNPA BlackPress

Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org