Crystal Boykin

Crystal grew up the youngest of four children in the small town of Prairie View, Texas located on the outskirts of Houston. Throughout her childhood and grade school years, she was actively involved in UIL, student council, and dance. After graduating high school, Crystal chose to attend one of the best Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the nation, the illustrious Prairie View A&M University, where she earned her Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies. While attending PVAMU, she was a Panther Doll, then became a member of Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority(2011), Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.(2013), Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society(2014), and met her then-future husband Derrell.

Upon graduation in 2014, Crystal was offered a teaching position in Waco, Texas and after the first interview, she knew that the school was just right for her! In March of 2015, she and Derrell got engaged and were wed in June of 2016. They spent time together laughing, enjoying Houston and traveling the world. On the morning of September 8th, 2017 Crystal decided to take a pregnancy test, and to her surprise (she had Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and irregular periods her entire life), the test was positive. She shared the news with her husband immediately, and a few weeks later they told their parents. Filled with excitement, they all began planning gender reveals, baby names, buying diapers, and all the exciting things that come with preparing for a baby.

On December 15, 2017, her world came to a halt. Around 3 a.m. that morning she woke up with slight bleeding that progressed, so she and Derrell headed to the hospital. After two doctors and the head of the department couldn’t find the heartbeat, they broke the bad news to Crystal then called Derrell back and told him. They cried, then told the family who responded in the blink of an eye to give support and prayers. As anyone can believe, that day forever changed her in a way that is unexplainable with just words. Over the next few months, she would go through depression, anxiety, and counseling which in turn helped her begin the healing process and exhibit the resilience she knew she stored inside.

Fast forward a few years, and Crystal is evolving each and every day. She has since given birth to two healthy baby girls. She gets through the days, not on her own strength, but the strength of God on both good and bad days.”