“Oh, young Phoenix, how God brought you out of the fire without the smell of smoke.”
- Griot of the Gathering Ground
Who is She?
She is a writer, performer, dreamer, and modern-day griot. She believes the arts aren’t just entertainment—they’re a revolutionary tool. Whether she is on stage delivering spoken word poem or designing experiences rooted in healing and truth-telling, her mission is simple: help people gather themselves through the power of story so that they can use their gifts for good and leave a mark in ink.
She is deeply inspired by Theatre of the Oppressed techniques and the idea that art should disrupt, awaken, and invite action. To her, creativity is not a luxury—it’s a survival skill. It’s how we process, protest, and plant new seeds for the future. She creates spaces, on and off the stage, where people can name their truths, shift narratives, and reclaim power.
She has performed everywhere from churches to conferences, from classrooms to open mics in India. But at the heart of it all? She is just someone who believes in the magic of words and the medicine of gathering.
Who is she? She is Crystal L. Williams, modern day griot and sharer of inspiration.
Areas of Expertise
Creative Expression & Performance
Spoken Word Poetry & Performance Art
Delivering original, emotionally resonant poetry for events, conferences, and sacred spacesStorytelling as Healing & Advocacy
Using personal and ancestral narratives to inspire collective transformationTheatre of the Oppressed & Experiential Facilitation
Designing workshops and creative spaces for embodied learning and justice-centered dialogue
Strategic Leadership & Systems Change
Child Welfare Policy & Systems Transformation
Expertise in child welfare best practices, homelessness prevention, and cross-sector collaborationCoalition Building & Interagency Strategy
Leading strategic planning and governance development for city, county, and national initiativesCommunity-Led Design & Public-Private Partnerships
Elevating lived experience in the co-creation of human-centered solutions
Communication & Culture Shift
Narrative Strategy & Movement Messaging
Shaping compelling communications to shift public perception and inspire changeExecutive Communications & Thought Leadership
Drafting keynote remarks, facilitating retreats, and supporting senior leaders in mission alignmentCreative Facilitation for Social Impact
Blending art, strategy, and reflection to move groups from insight to action
Personal Mission
Legacy, Liberation & the Power of Story
Helping individuals and organizations "gather themselves" through story, strategy, and spirit