Photo by Deborah Triplett

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Crystal has her fingers in many pies. After two decades as a writer and editor with the Charlotte Observer, Crystal struck out on her own to create From the Hip Communications, where she puts her writing chops and community-building skills to work for nonprofits and small businesses like Amelie’s French Bakery in NoDa (where she literally has her fingers in many pies), Story Slam! Charlotte, a black box theater and storytelling project in Plaza Midwood, and the Women’s Inter-Cultural Exchange, which fosters cross-cultural awareness amongst women.

“I really am a raging extrovert,” she laughs. For her, working on projects that are satisfying on a deeper level is what keeps her constantly inspired—and busy. “When I made the decision to leave a career of 20 years, I made the decision to follow things that stir my soul,” says Crystal. “I help people tell stories. That’s what it all boils down to: building community and telling stories.”