Cynthia M. Horner
Cynthia M. Horner-Harris, pka Cynthia Marie Horner, CEO of Right On! Digital, is one of the most well-known and respected journalists in the entertainment industry. During her tenure as a top editor for popular newsstand magazines, she has been responsible for creating and producing close to 600 issues of magazines appealing to the pop, urban and Latino markets. A graduate of the Seaver College of Pepperdine University, her name is synonymous with many well-known entertainers, including the late Michael Jackson, his sister Janet Jackson, The Jacksons, the late superstar Prince and New Edition. Miss Horner brought most of these artists to public attention through her stint at Right On! Magazine, one of the most influential magazines in the history of African-American culture.
A philanthropist, she sits on the boards for Body Sculpt of New York City, Inc., The Foundation Of Youth Development, Inc., the Universal Hip Hop Museum (uhhm.org) and was honored by Wyclef Jean’s sister, Melky Jean, on December 17, 2011 at the annual Carma Foundation fundraiser for her efforts to assist underserved women and youth. For two decades, she has been a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.’s Kappa Sigma New York City Alumnae Chapter where she has held numerous positions, including the title of president.
An entrepreneur, she is the founder of Cynthia Horner’s Independent Production Services (Cinnamon CHIPS), under which she spearheads public relations projects and coordinates special events. Her clients have included authors Terrie Williams and Dr. LaJoyce Brookshire, gospel artist Niyoki, fragrance spokesperson Jeannie Ortega, the Dare Records label, American Idol Paris Bennett, the iconic band The Tower Of Power, Grammy-nominated producer RedOne (Wyclef, Shakira and Lady Gaga fame) and Amber Books, Pretty Ricky and Slum Village. Underneath her growing Cinnamon CHIPS brand are the Cinnamon FLIX Photo Agency, Cynthia Horner Books, Horner Records and Cinnamon CHIPS Media, which has published select titles of Word Up! and Right On! Magazines.
Since 2008, Cynthia Horner, who has been described as the preeminent hip hop journalist in the country, has been an editor at various adult-oriented music magazines. In this capacity, she breaks major news features on the entertainment industry’s most popular celebrities, including Beyoncé, the Kardashians, Kanye West, and many mainstream celebrities. Her work has appeared in numerous mainstream outlets and websites which appeal to today’s consumers and she is also the Editorial Consultant for a new title, “Women Doing It Big,” which appeals to female entrepreneurs.
On a local level, she lends her services to special projects, including the Newark Business Hub (associated with the Rutgers School of Business) and is a volunteer for the Queens, NY library branches where she assists with special programming. Among her recent honors are speaking appearances at Rev. Jesse Jackson’s Operation Push Wall Street Project (2016), being honored by Tiny Tequila’s as a member of The Class of Greatness and receiving recognition by the Borough of Brooklyn’s Leaders of Tomorrow Program. A frequent host at business and music-based events, Cynthia Horner continues to spread her message and legacy of her love for literacy to the hundreds of thousands of fans who admire the strides that she has made in the field of entertainment journalism. From time to time, Miss Horner makes frequent television and radio appearances. In 2017, she has already appeared on the Reelz Channel, VH1’s The Black Ink Crew, TV One’s Unsung, and other national programs.
The daughter of former Thousand Oaks Mayor Lawrence E. Horner and his wife Betty, Miss Horner is married to Kenneth Harris of Right On! Media Holdings, LLC, aka KENTHEPHOTOGRAPHER.