Civic Engagement and Political Advocacy

Krystal Leaphart is an award-winning strategist with more than two decades of experience in grassroots and grasstops advocacy. She serves as the Principal of Krystal Klear Strategies, which is a black woman led consulting firm that specializes in operational capacity building, public participation, and event management. We collaborate with people and organizations that champion social impact, advance justice, and spark lasting change!

Prior to this role, she worked at the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative (NOBEL) Women. As the Operations and Policy Associate, Krystal supported black women in elected and appointed offices through training and supporting policy initiatives that contribute to the betterment of black women and girls. Krystal also served as the Chief of Staff at IMPACT, an organization that fosters civic engagement, political involvement, and economic empowerment for Millennials of color.

As the Operations and Policy Director at National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women, or NOBEL Women, Krystal trained Black women to assume both governmental and corporate leadership roles, created programs that advanced elected and civically engaged Black women in the fields of public policy, public service and civic engagement. 

Prior to this, Krystal served as the inaugural Chief of Staff at IMPACT, an organization that fosters civic engagement, political involvement and economic empowerment for millennials of color.

Award-Winning Community Organizer

During her tenure at Howard University, Krystal developed her skills as an racial justice advocate through working for the NAACP Washington Bureau, The late Congressman John Conyers, the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Public Policy team. In addition to this, she spent time organizing protests for Troy Davis, Trayvon Martin, registering thousands of students to vote and a multitude of social justice issues.  She also organized with the NAACP at the state, local and national levels, YWCA National Capital Area and served as a lead organizer for Black Women's Blueprint March for Black Women. 

As a highly requested speaker, Krystal has spoken at over two hundred events covering topics like racial and gender justice, advocacy and civic participation and leadership.  Her speaking has spanned from local convenings, state wide conferences and national summits.

As a leader, Krystal advocates for black women’s political representation, reproductive justice and ending gender-based violence. Outside of her professional work, she is an active member of Black Girls Vote, Higher Heights for America, PCOS Challenge Patient Advocate Board, Our Bodies Ourselves Content Expert and Black Feminist Future. 

Krystal's work has been featured on CBS News, NBC,  NRP, USA Today, WUSA 9, Fox 5, The Washington Post, The District Chronicles, The Detroit News, WHBC, and Everyday Feminism. 

Krystal is a Detroit native and considers Washington DC and Baltimore Maryland her second and third homes. She attended Howard University to pursue a B.A. Degree in Sociology. For fun, you can find Krystal singing Karaoke, reading a book by a black woman and collecting new candles!