Dr. Crystal A. Kuykendall is considered one of the most dynamic individuals of our time. A critical thinker, analyst, motivator and mentor, Dr. Kuykendall has astounded audiences and individuals through the power of her observations and the warmth of her words. A highly sought after and savvy speaking sensation, she is an engaging educator, human relations expert, legal analyst/litigator, endearing author and loving mother.
Born in Chicago, Illinois with very humble beginnings, Dr. Kuykendall graduated from Hyde Park High School with 4 scholarships at the age of 16. She received her B.A. from Southern Illinois University (Carbondale Campus) as a Government Major. Through an Assistantship, she graduated from Montclair State University (Montclair, NJ) with a Master's Degree in Sociology. Through a Ford Fellowship, she received her Doctorate in Educational Administration from Atlanta University. Always seeking additional avenues for advocacy and service, Dr. Kuykendall received her Juris Doctorate (law degree) from Georgetown University Law Center in 1981. She was admitted to the Bar Association of the District of Columbia in 1988 after passing the Bar Exam on her first attempt.
On June 2, 2002, the President of Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon conferred upon Dr. Kuykendall the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa (the Honorary Doctorate), after she delivered the Commencement speech to the Master Degree candidates from the School of Education. The Honorary Doctorate was presented to recognize Dr. Kuykendall for "her leadership and public service and her unflagging belief in children and the parents and teachers who train them."
A former elementary and secondary school teacher, Dr. Kuykendall has also taught at Seton Hall University and Montclair State University. She is the former Executive Director of the National Alliance of Black School Educators . She has also served as the Director of Urban & Minority Relations for the National School Boards Association and the Director of the Citizens Training Institute of the National Committee for Citizens in Education . Appointed by a former U.S. President to the National Advisory Council on Continuing Education (NACCE) and was elected Council Chair for 2 terms. The editors of EBONY Magazine were prescient in 1979 when they named her “One of the Future Leaders of the Future.”
Dr. Kuykendall is truly a gifted and gracious public speaker. She has spoken on 4 continents (North America, Europe, Africa and Australia) and is considered by many to be one of the most powerful, dynamic and inspiring speakers in the world, giving over 100 speeches annually. Her audiences laugh, cry and experience an incredible array of emotions as she weaves her magic behind a microphone. Audiences connect instantly with her high energy, charm, charismatic delivery and moving messages. She not only develops effective leaders but she facilitates self-analysis and inspires personal and organizational change, growth and powerful results. It doesn't matter who she addresses -- cafeteria workers or CEOs, educators or entrepreneurs, private or public employees, youth or senior citizens -- the results are the same and she receives thundering standing ovations wherever she goes. Her speeches reflect her own unique background replete with personal victories and many professional responsibilities.
Dr. Kuykendall has been exemplary in leadership, public service and corporate success. She has served on the Board of Directors of Health Power, Inc. She also served on the Advisory Board of the Congressional National Youth Leadership Conference , the Education Task Force of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Social Change, the National Youth Leadership Conference and the National Education Task Force. Most recently she served on the Board of Directors of the Maryland Mentoring Partnerships and the Board of Directors of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Chesapeake Maryland . Currently, she serves as Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Henry C. Gregory III Family Life Center Foundation of Washington, DC.
In over 25 years of experience and service delivery, she has received over 300 plaques, awards, citations, certificates and "Keys to the City". She has also received numerous tributes and commendations for her efficacy in facilitating personal and professional empowerment, problem resolution and organizational growth.
Author of the explosive new novel and semi-autobiography, The Crystal Pumpkin, she is also author of Developing Leadership for Parent/Citizen Groups in 1976, Improving Black Student Achievement through Improving Self Image in 1987 and a motivational calendar for parents, You and Yours: Making the Most of this School Year (1987 and 1989). Her well lauded book, From Rage to Hope: Strategies for Reclaiming Black and Hispanic Students was first published in 1992. In May 2004, the second edition of this "timeless treasure" and national bestseller was published. Her unique character development guide and planner , Dreaming of a P.H.A.T. Century, continues to be extolled by winners of all ages.
In 1989, Dr. Kuykendall incorporated her company, Kreative and Innovative Resources for Kids (K.I.R.K.). Through the company she has provided long term technical assistance and consulting services to numerous national and international clients. She is also Adjunct Faculty for Strayer University, teaching in-person and on-ground classes in Sociology, Education, Law, Humanities, Religion, Philosophy, Psychology, and Education.
Mother of 3 daughters and a deceased son, Dr. Kuykendall has also been a H.O.S.T.S. Mentor (Help One Student to Succeed) since 1996 and continues to be a school and church volunteer. One of her daughters, Rasheki M. Kuykendall Walker, received the 2005-2006 Milken Family Foundation National Educator of the year Award.
Since childhood, Dr. Crystal Kuykendall has known that it really is "more blessed to give than to receive". Whether one gives money or materials, time or talent or all of the above, "giving" makes for better "living". At the age of 8, Dr. Kuykendall was required to do a community service project at New Hope Christian Missionary Baptist Church, the church where her Uncle, Rev. Frank Wesley Campbell, was Pastor. A Girl Scout for four years, she saw numerous examples at home, at church, in the community, and at school of people helping people and caring communities coming together in a common cause for collective benefit.
In adulthood, Dr. Kuykendall has maintained her natural propensity for community service and outreach. Over the last three decades she has been an active member of numerous PTAs, community, church, civic and social groups dedicated to improving life for all mankind, including the following:
. Impact Coalition . Friendship Heights (Washington D.C.) Advisory Council . NAACP (Life Member) . National Council of Negro Women (Life ember) . Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc (Life Member) . National Urban League Education Task Force . Education Task Force of the Martin Luther King Center for Social Change . Health Power Board of Directors
Currently, Dr. Kuykendall gives numerous volunteer hours to important and very significant community service endeavors. Some of those endeavors are described below:
Henry C. Gregory III Family Life Center Foundation, Inc (FLCF)
Dr. Kuykendall has been a member of the FLCF Board of Directors since 1996 and has been Chairperson of the Board of Directors since 2004. The FLCF is a non-profit foundation founded in 1982 to provide services to children, seniors, the deaf & hard of hearing community, "at-risk" youth and the homeless. Dr. Kuykendall's leadership and personal involvement have launched or improved these FLCF Programs:
Maryland Mentoring Partnerships (MMP)
Dr. Kuykendall has been a Member of the MMP Board of Directors since 2005. The MMP provides services and training to corporations, school districts, individuals and institutions to implement and improve mentoring programs for school age youth.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc (AKA)
Since her first year at Southern Illinois University (S.I.U.), Dr. Kuykendall has been passionate about her membership in the world's oldest African American Sorority. All active AKAs pride themselves on their many efforts to be "of service to all mankind". An active member of Xi Omega Graduate Chapter in Washington, DC, Dr. Kuykendall has been a part of many service projects, regularly recognized for giving over 100 hours of volunteer time annually with her Chapter. Through her Sorority, she became a HOSTS Mentor (Helping One Student To Succeed) in 1996 and has been actively involved in Sorority Adopt-A-School Programs, tutoring and Summer Reading Programs.
African American Women Accessing Resources for Empowerment (A.A.W.A.R.E.)
Dr. Kuykendall is actively involved in this organization's on-going endeavors to improve the involvement of many marginalized Americans in the political process, register voters, sponsor informational forums and monitor the actions of elected officials in fostering improved education and social justice.
Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Chesapeake (BBBS)
Dr. Kuykendall has been a Member of the Board of Directors for over 5 years. BBBS continues to be a leader in training mentors and matching them with children and youth.
Religious Activities
Actively involved in numerous organizations and auxiliaries of every church to which she has belonged, Dr. Kuykendall has also served on the Board of Trustees of Beersheba Baptist Church in Chicago, IL. She also holds a Master of Divinity Degree from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond, VA and is an ordained minister and part of the ministerial team at Shiloh Baptist Church of Washington, DC. At Shiloh, Dr. Kuykendall is "former" Chairperson of the Community Outreach Ministry Team and has provided leadership, time and talent to the improvement of the Missions Department, the Social Justice Ministry, Tennis-at-Shiloh, the Ex-Offenders' Task Force, Your Active Christians Outreach and numerous other church ministries.
Dr. Kuykendall has also been a volunteer at Roots Public Charter School in Washington, D.C and has been a consultant to many local schools and community groups in Washington, DC and Maryland . She continues to serve as a Mentor to two young adults and provides "pro bono" legal advice to many young people. While her professional obligations leave very little time for community service, she still manages to give well over 500 hours of community service annually. Her commitment is to develop more "Merchants of Hope" and to be exemplary in showing passion and commitment all "Merchants of Hope" must have.
Dr.Kuykendall has also been a volunteer at Roots Public Charter School in Wshington, DC and has been a consultant to many local schools and community groups in Washington, DC and Maryland. She continues to serve as a Mentor to two young adults and provides "pro bono" legal advice to many young people. While her professional obligations leave very little time for community service, she still manages to give well over 500 hours of community service annually. Her commitment is to develop more "Merchants of Hope" and to be exemplary of the passion and commitment all "Merchants of Hope" must have.
