Work of Heart

Story by: Jacki Donaldson

Dr. Gwenuel W. and Cynthia Mingo have been working as a couple to make the world a better place for 56 years, and the 80-year-old Gwenuel, who goes by “Mingo,” and the 77-year-old Cynthia, both retired educators, are showing no signs of slowing down in their mission to serve others.

Cynthia, originally from Tallahassee and a graduate of Florida A&M University (FAMU), volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of North Central Florida, welcoming families, giving hugs, and helping out wherever she can. She also educates students about African-American history. “I visit schools, churches, and wherever people need me,” she said. Through a cooperative-learning traveling scavenger hunt she created and continually upgrades, she teaches students about science, math, and more. Cynthia also helps children in the United States and the Bahamas to build spiritual foundations.

Mingo, a native of Key West who graduated from FAMU (where he met Cynthia) and earned his Ph.D. degree, is also active in the community. He serves as president of the FAMU Alumni Association for Alachua County. He attends Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church, where he is a trustee and sings in the choir. With his Series 6 Securities License, he educates people about money management and insurance so that they can protect their families.

Mingo and Cynthia’s contributions in retirement are an extension of the light they have been spreading for more than five decades. Before arriving in Gainesville in 1971, the now-Micanopy residents were serving and teaching for the greater good. Mingo departed FAMU as a ROTC graduate and then served his country in the United States Army as a commissioned officer and left his service as a captain after seven years of active duty. Except for his time in Vietnam, Cynthia was with him throughout all of his deployments, with her first teaching job in Germany. Cynthia continued teaching and spent her career in elementary education. She taught at Glen Springs Elementary School, Stephen Foster Elementary School, and Prairie View Elementary School and twice won Teacher of the Year. Cynthia, who retired after 38 years as an educator, is known for her nurturing spirit in the classroom and for turning around discipline issues.

“I treated students with love like I would my own children,” said Cynthia, who was firm but fair with students, built strong parent relationships, and positively channeled the energy of her most challenging students.

“At Prairie View, we put on a play with the kids who were making poor choices,” she said. “I gave the student with the most problems the job of pulling the curtain in the play. ‘Do you want that job?’ I asked him. ‘Yes, ma’am,’ he said. I shared with him that to keep the job, he had to follow directions and pay close attention. He did, and his behavior became completely different.”

While Cynthia was working with elementary school children, Mingo was at UF, first as a counselor coordinator for students living in Hume Hall and then as the director of Upward Bound Program preparing high school students for college and in Student Support Services Program ensuring that first-year college students had a solid foundation during their first year on campus. Mingo’s success in his roles stemmed from his love for helping students. “I have a passion for helping people,” he said.

The Mingo’s children have followed in their educational footsteps. Daughter AnneMarie (Ph.D.) teaches at Penn State and just completed a visiting professorship at the University of California Santa Barbara. Son Gerald is a certified teacher in the New York educational system. The family of four also serves their community together, often doing mission work in different states. Mingo, Cynthia, and AnneMarie went to New Orleans with a church group to assist with recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina. Mingo also helped with clean-up after the storm in Quincy and was a part of the group lead by their Pastor, Rev. Helen Johnson Robinson, in preparing hot freshly fried fish, grits, and sides for more than 500 victims. Mingo helped to park the many cars, and the blessings just kept flowing on the people. Even under the circumstances, the people and the volunteers felt the spirit of God working among them.

The Mingos cherish their family time. They take a trip together every year, honor Christmas and Kwanza family traditions, and have a family phone conference almost every first Sunday to discuss their goals and ambitions. Together, they also manage a vacation rental house in Key West. They use the business foundation they learned at FAMU in their successful business venture.

“ Helping people and seeing where they’ve gone and what they’ve done is amazing. “

Mingo and Cynthia, who love to travel, both officiate track events at campuses all over the country. They also have individual interests that help them thrive. For example, Cynthia ministers at churches and choreographs a local dance group for women her age. She also enjoys cooking for large crowds. Mingo does calisthenics and stretching exercises every day and does a lot of work in the yard. One can also find Mingo four out of seven days working at his church.

The Mingos credit their happy 56- year marriage to praying together. “You can’t be fussing at each other when you’re praying,” Cynthia said. And they thank God for the opportunity to serve together. “We know our work is not about us; it’s about Him,” Mingo said. And the rewards they receive are abundant.

“Helping people and seeing where they’ve gone and what they’ve done is amazing,” Mingo said. And the lovely couple plans to keep moving forward. “We will keep going for as long as we keep waking up and breathing,” Cynthia said.