Crystal joined the board in December 2023, and currently works at UNC Health Human Resources. She has served on the board as chair elect of the UNC Health Diverse Abilities Employee Resource Group as well as serving on the Continuing Education Committee at the North Carolina Career Development Association and on the Mid Atlantic Region Meditate and Rise Committee at Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Crystal received her Bachelor of Arts in English at Elizabeth City State University, Master of Education in Psychological Studies at Cambridge College, Master of Science in Counselor Education at East Carolina University and is currently working toward her PhD in Counselor Preparation and Research.
Growing up in a rural community as a woman of color with an invisible disability has given Crystal a profound appreciation for the resilience embedded in diversity, both in culture and experience. She firmly believes in the power of representation, empathy and advocacy to break down barriers and foster understanding, paving the way for a more equitable and inclusive world for all. According to Crystal, “Every person, regardless of their abilities, deserves equal rights, opportunities, and dignity. This belief has been the driving force behind my personal and professional endeavors. I serve on the DRNC board to channel my passion and expertise into actionable change.”