Crystal Smith, M.Ed.
Crystal Smith, M.Ed., is a dedicated community leader, nonprofit professional, and emerging mental health counselor serving the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex. As Community & Volunteer Director for TLC (Together Leading Change), she leads initiatives focused on empowering underserved populations through life coaching, education assistance, and community-based programming. Her work is deeply rooted in service, drawing from both her professional experience and her personal journey of overcoming adversity to create meaningful impact for individuals and families in need.
Smith’s path into social services began in education, where she worked as an academic advisor supporting students in navigating post-secondary opportunities. Recognizing systemic gaps affecting youth in low-income communities—particularly those experiencing housing instability—she transitioned into social services, where she has spent nearly a decade helping homeless youth, adults, and families secure housing and rebuild toward self-sufficiency. In 2025, she founded Together Leading Change, a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing homelessness through workforce development, education, and holistic life coaching programs designed to restore stability and purpose.
A first-generation success story, Smith’s early experiences as a teen mother shaped her resilience and commitment to giving back. She earned her Master of Education in Student Development and Leadership and is currently pursuing a second master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Lamar University, working toward licensure as a professional counselor. Through her work and continued training, she brings empathy, authenticity, and a strong belief in second chances—empowering others to reset, rebuild, and rise into their fullest potential.
• Basic Criminal Justice
• Angelo State University - M.Ed.
• Loving Yourself Well Counseling
• Together Leading Change
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to patience and determination. A lot of people counted me out when I had my first child at 16 and dropped out of school. People thought I'd have another baby by 18, but that wasn't my story. Although it took me a while to turn it around and go back to school and complete my education, I stayed patient and determined. I also give a shout out to Dr. Kimberly Pearson and my husband, Aaron Smith, Jr., who have been pivotal in providing me with the support system I needed. They continue to encourage me when I'm having my days where I question why I did this, but they remind me it's part of the process and there's growth happening. Dr. Pearson especially put the fire in me to believe in myself. She probably doesn't even realize it, but she made me believe that I can do it. I never thought I would be able to open up my own nonprofit. It wasn't even a thought or something on the table. A lot of times, you put in your mind you want to work for someone, but I had been doing this for so long and was equipped with so many different skills. Dr. Pearson encouraged me to believe in me and recognize that I have value, which played a pivotal role in my decision to pursue a second master's and start my own nonprofit.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The most impactful career advice I received was to believe in myself. Coming from my background and my own life experiences, I was actually in the same situation as the environment I'm working in now. Being a teen mom who didn't finish high school initially, and not having a lot of support because my whole life changed, I struggled with believing in myself. I had to ask myself, did I really believe in me? Dr. Kimberly Pearson was pivotal in helping me see that I could do more than I thought possible. She encouraged me to believe in myself and recognize my value. That support and encouragement to believe in me has been the foundation that helped me turn everything around, finish high school, work towards my bachelor's and master's degrees, and eventually open my own nonprofit and pursue counseling. The mantra 'I believe in me' continues to guide me through challenges and growth.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering this industry to believe in themselves. That's the mantra I make them say: 'I believe in me.' I think one of the main things is that we get so set on what society labels us as, and we attach to that label and think that has to be us. But it doesn't. Where you are today is not where you're going to be, so keep moving forward. Coming from my own experience as a teen mom who dropped out of school, a lot of people counted me out. But I want young women to know that they shouldn't let society's labels define them. Just believe in yourself, and you can create meaningful impact and build a path aligned with your purpose.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think the biggest challenge right now in nonprofit is that there's just not enough to meet the community needs. The community needs more than ever, and it's in greater need. I don't think a lot of people realize that you don't have to be homeless to need help. There are those who still need help, who still need classes, who still need to learn how to be self-sufficient with money management. I feel like we need more community centers just offering things to give back to the community. The opportunity I see is being able to make a real difference in people's lives by providing education assistance, workforce development, and services that help them get back to being self-sufficient. There's also opportunity in life coaching for those who may not need mental health services but just need guidance along their journey.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are connections and honesty. In my personal life and in my work life, and with the clients I select, it's important to build that connection. In this field, a lot of people can tell when it's not authentic. If they don't see that it's authentic and that you really want to serve them, that you really want to help, and if that connection is not built, it can be very challenging. It can deter individuals from wanting to open up or wanting to give you access to help them get their life together. So I think having authentic connections is very important to me. Being honest is also crucial. If you're having a bad day or going through a difficult moment, or if there's something you don't understand, speak up and be honest so you can get the help that you need. You can't get the help you need if you're not honest about it. Whether it's in my personal life or career, if I need help or I'm having a moment, I believe in being able to say that openly.