Cynthia Ijeoma Okoye is a dynamic scholar, educator, and cultural advocate specializing in French and Francophone Studies. She holds a Master of Arts in French from the University of Illinois, Chicago, where her research explored the nuanced representations of slavery in Enlightenment-era abolitionist literature. With a strong academic foundation from the University of Lagos—where she graduated as the best student in the Faculty of Arts—Cynthia has cultivated a passion for postcolonial studies, diaspora, race, and gender. Fluent in French, English, Igbo, and Bambara, she brings a global perspective to her work, both in and out of the classroom. Cynthia currently teaches French at St. Benedict Preparatory School in Chicago and has served as a teaching assistant at UIC, where she mentored students and fostered inclusive learning environments. Through her teaching, research, and volunteerism, she remains committed to cultural exchange, academic excellence, and empowering diverse communities through education.