Crystal McCrary 

Crystal is an award-winning filmmaker, television producer, and author. Most recently, she signed on to executive produce an eight-part scripted series on the life of Frederick and Anna Murray Douglass.

​

Crystal produced independent film Dirty Laundry, co-sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign; co-created and executive produced three-part documentary series Inside Black Culture; created, produced, and directed Nickelodeon Sports Series Little Ballers and Little Ballers Indiana; and directed five short films on the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. She also served as co-creator and executive producer for six seasons of NAACP Image Award nominated BET series Leading Women and Leading Men, which profiled men and women of color who have impacted the world socially, politically, and culturally, including Dr. Maya Angelou and Wynton Marsalis. 

​

Crystal has published two New York Times bestselling novels, Homecourt Advantage and Gotham Diaries, and written critically acclaimed nonfiction book Inspiration: Profiles of Black Women Changing the World, which features Michelle Obama, Venus Williams, Mellody Hobson, Misty Copeland, and Shonda Rhimes, among others. 

​

A cultural, legal, and political pundit, she has appeared on numerous networks, from CNN to MSNBC, and co-hosted ABC’s The View, where she interviewed then presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. 

​

Crystal serves on the boards of the Horace Mann School, The Paley Center for Media, and Lifecamp. She has been honored by The Children’s Defense Fund, Precious Dreams Foundation, Children’s Museum of Manhattan, and Urban Tech for her contributions to youth and the arts. She was also named to Crain’s 40 Under 40 List.

​

Prior to pursuing writing, producing, and directing full time, Crystal practiced entertainment law with Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. She received her B.A. from the University of Michigan and her J.D. from American University and New York University.