Krystal Yoseph
Multi-talented and certainly passionate, Krystal could put her skills to work anywhere. But she moved back to Oklahoma City from DC to pour into her hometown through serving small businesses with PR and marketing and also serving on many boards to make her community a good home for others, too.
What makes you feel proud?
I’m proud anytime I’m in a community. Not just sitting on a board, but being part of something bigger than myself. Not just writing a good press release, but capturing the essence of someone’s hard work. I’m proud to be from Oklahoma City. I’m proud to be half Ethiopian. I’m proud to know that people value my time and the space I take up. And I’m proud of any chance I get to pass that on or bring others alongside me.
Who is the biggest influence in your life? Why?
My Dad. I’ve mostly felt comfortable in my own skin, racism and misogyny notwithstanding, and so much of that is from how intentional my Dad was in raising his only child, a daughter, as a first-generation American. He prioritized the arts/culture, news (I hated NPR back then, now I love it), critical thinking and jump- started my self-esteem.
“I would like to see all youth have a safe and positive environment to be in when they are out of school.”
What’s the single biggest problem you’d like to solve in your community?
Community is a verb! You build it, and it requires regular maintenance. I’d like to have more difficult conversations and grow our “bubble” or “core” to be more diverse and inclusive and not constrained to arbitrary city blocks of hipster or cool. We’ve got to communicate and take the opportunity of the present to really work daily toward goals. Tools that we can provide those who just need a break, one break, to re-route a generation. We just gotta get uncomfortable and sit in it. We just have to assume the best in people and help us all realize it.
krystal is one of 100 women we have featured in the inaugural issue of Hundred Magazine. To learn more about her and the other 99 women, buy the issue.
