Crystal Russell Aryitey, Ph.D, is an accomplished educator, curriculum developer, and researcher dedicated to educational equity. As a first-generation college graduate, she understands the power of opportunity and strives to amplify pathways for success for all youth. In 2019, she founded Destiny Driven Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that utilizes public speaking and debate as transformative tools to help youth develop effective communication skills, critical thinking, and conflict resolution. She also sponsors the Opportunity Youth United Montgomery Community Action Team and serves on the start-up council for the national initiative, Youth Create. Through her work, Dr. Aryitey remains devoted to advancing literacy, educational access, and youth empowerment in her community. Dr. Aryitey earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Law from Alabama State University, where her research focused on juvenile reentry. As the Community Engagement Specialist for the Montgomery Education Foundation’s Bold Goals initiative, Dr. Aryitey works to bridge community resources with educational initiatives, aiming to create equitable opportunities for all students.