Dr. Cynthia Jacobs Carter is the Senior Advancement Officer at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. She leads the Museum’s Planned Giving efforts. These efforts include helping to build an endowment for the Smithsonian’s newest museum, which is located on the National Mall.

She most recently served at the Smithsonian at as Chief Development Officer in the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. Prior to that, she served at Africare as Chief Development/External Affairs Officer. Other positions were held at Africare, InterAction, Howard University, and at The George Washington University. Dr. Carter has taught at Georgetown University and at The George Washington University, both in Africana Women's Studies. She is a National Geographic author of two books: Freedom In My Heart, and Africana Woman.

Dr. Carter earned a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership and a Master of Arts degree in International Education from The George Washington University. Her undergraduate degree is from Virginia State University.