Crystal Brookter: Leading Black to the Future with Passion and Purpose

Crystal Brookter

Black to the Future SF

Crystal Brookter, Program Director of Black to the Future, is a dynamic force in San Francisco, driving impactful change for African-American families in the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood. Black to the Future is a program unapologetically committed to empowering Black families, offering them support and resources in a city that has increasingly marginalized their needs. Under Crystal’s leadership, the program is a vital lifeline for families in the community who are often overlooked by traditional services.

Crystal’s journey to San Francisco from Fresno was driven by her dedication to social justice and her passion for community service. Having witnessed the systemic issues affecting marginalized communities in her hometown, she set her sights on the Bay Area, specifically Bayview Hunters Point, one of the city's most underserved areas. Plagued by violence, homelessness, and social neglect, the community is also grappling with environmental challenges such as droughts, all of which create a perfect storm of adversity for the residents.

For Crystal, these challenges are not deterrents but calls to action. Since stepping into her role at Black to the Future, she has made it her mission to transform the community’s relationship with its future. Her work addresses the root causes of these systemic issues, from advocating for safer neighborhoods to helping families find stable housing. Crystal’s approach is holistic—providing educational opportunities, mental health services, and access to resources that foster both individual and collective empowerment.

What makes Crystal’s work particularly significant is her connection to the community. She doesn’t simply serve Bayview Hunters Point—she understands it, engages with it, and is a part of it. Whether it’s through organizing neighborhood events, hosting workshops for families, or simply providing a listening ear, Crystal’s presence has become a pillar of hope and resilience for many.

In a city that often feels divided along lines of race and class, Crystal’s work with Black to the Future represents a commitment to equity and justice. She is not only shaping a brighter future for the African-American families she serves. Still, she is  also pushing the city of San Francisco to recognize and address the inequities that persist within its borders.

Through Crystal’s leadership, Black to the Future continues to stand tall as a program driven by a deep sense of purpose, hope, and an unwavering belief in the power of community. Crystal’s efforts show that, even in the face of immense adversity, progress is possible—and that the future of Bayview Hunters Point, and the families within it, is far from forgotten.

In an exclusive interview with Lxmped, Crystal Brookter shared her experiences of working in San Francisco CA.

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Fresno, California, but moved to San Francisco in 2013.

Why did you decide to move to the San Francisco Bay Area?

Man, I want to say that’s a difficult question, but I have to say, why not? Notably, my brother was out here, and a couple of other black males were doing something in the Bay Area, and their energy inspired me to want to do better and be better. And, of course, I’m a sucker for views, so I love being near the water. Also, it gave me peace, changed the narrative of who I was in Fresno, and made a difference.

How did Black to the Future get started?

So Black to the Future came about due to the violence occurring within San Francisco, and we’ve been seen and known as the most underserved population within San Francisco.

Who are some of your influences?

Besides my mother, who shaped me into the woman I am today, my brother, and a few folks I looked up to while living in San Francisco, like Sheryl Davis and Dr. Mary Ann Jones. Just looking at influential black women's empowerment makes me strive to want to do more.

How has community work in San Francisco shaped you?

Doing community work in San Francisco has shaped me to be more transparent about the struggles I’ve been through. Just having the opportunity to help those less fortunate, those seen as troubled children, or at-risk youth, I feel like everyone has a story to tell. Everybody can flip the narrative. They need one person who cares. So, being in Black to the Future and working with the TAY population has been very dear to me, and, like I said, I want to hear their stories. And being able to represent them and tell them, “Hey, if I can do it, you can do it too.”