Crystal Bates Email & Phone Number

Chaplain Crystal Bates is a first-generation college graduate. She holds an A.S. Degree in Computer Science from Kilgore College and a B.S. Degree in Economics with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Texas in Arlington. In 2005, she was recognized as the "9th African American female" to obtain this degree. Bates founded the DFW Metro NAACP in 2020 to respond to the nationwide civil unrest against racism and police brutality. She led a campaign to distribute 20,000 Voter Registration cards in just 3 days and collected school supplies for local Title I schools in 2020. Bates was elected as the first president of the branch in April 2021 and is currently serving her third term. In 2023, DFW Metro NAACP hosted the 1st Youth Hackathon, and in 2024 the Youth Gaming Expo & Tournament in partnership with the Denton Black Film Festival. In 2023, she developed the DFW Metro NAACP Political Action Coalition with a focus on Voter Registration, Education & Advocacy, Engagement, Mobilization, and Legislation & Policy. In 2022 President Gary Bledsoe appointed her as the Vice Chair of the Environmental & Climate Justice Committee of the Texas State NAACP. Bates is the President & Founder of CBATES (Communities Building Attitudes To Encourage Success). CBATES focuses on Environmental & Climate Justice and Civic Engagement. It has 800+ Community Ambassadors, offers Student 101 Civic Engagement Training, registers hundreds of students to vote, and provides internships and volunteer opportunities to 200+ students annually. CBATES also collects black and brown dolls and action figures during the Barbie Like Me Drive, and donates them to pediatric hospitals.In 2019, Bates was inducted into Rotary International and is now a proud Rotarian committed to making a difference through community service projects locally and globally. In June 2024, she became the first African American to serve as President of the Coppell Rotary Club. Rev. Bates is a minister and activist for justice. She's a 23-year member and actively serves at Friendship-West Baptist Church. She has served independently as a ministry consultant, focusing on Ministry Organization, Leadership & Development, and Assimilation.In 2008, she became a co-host of the "Chaplain Morning Show" on KGCM Radio, the "Women's Wednesday Show", the OPM “Business Connect Live” show, and a live show called "Love Heals All Wounds."In 2023, Rev. Crystal graduated from the Lyndon B. Johnson Women's Campaign School at UT in Austin. In 2024 she received the Barbara Record Woman of the Year Award.