Meet Crystal Napier, Board Member

Crystal Napier has served as a Piedmont Housing Alliance board member since January 2015. Originally from Afton, Crystal came to the Charlottesville area as a University of Virginia undergraduate, and lives in Albemarle County. For 10 years, Crystal worked locally in banking management. While working toward her MBA, Crystal found her passion of empowering women through flattering clothing designs and styles. In 2014, Crystal launched a local entrepreneurial venture, Renee’s Boutique, specializing in “professional and casual clothing for the curvy woman,” while also offering customized styles for every woman.

Crystal knew about Piedmont Housing’s services from her years working in banking, and understood how much these services helped area home buyers. Having purchased her first home at age 22, Crystal appreciates the challenges first-time owners face, and problems of housing affordability in Albemarle County. While participating in the Center for Nonprofit Excellence’s board academy in 2014, Crystal met a member of Piedmont Housing’s staff who invited her to learn more about the organization. She has high praise for the staff as a whole, and the successes of their counseling programs, as well as large-scale projects like the Friendship Court redevelopment.

Although Renee’s Boutique, still in its early years, is her primary focus, Crystal is also the part-time Marketing Coordinator for Charlottesville’s Jefferson School City Center – a recently restored city landmark and the heart of Charlottesville’s African American community for generations. She is also active with the Chamber Business Diversity Council (formerly the Minority Business Council) of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, and a financial mentor for Seed Planters Dream Builder Academy, helping to support and advise other women in business. Crystal also supports the American Cancer Society, March of Dimes (High Heels for Hopes), and Girl Scouts of America. She holds a bachelor’s degree, in Government and African American Studies, from the University of Virginia, and received her MBA from Liberty University.