Crystal Haynes
Copithorne
Emmy Award–winning journalist and senior communications & public affairs leader with 20+ years shaping narratives at the intersection of media, policy, and community impact—helping organizations move from one-way messaging to real storytelling that brings people into the conversation and puts community voices front and center.
Where Strategy
Meets Purpose
Organizations today don't just need communications, they need a clear, disciplined narrative strategy that drives trust, alignment, and impact. The ability to elevate community voice, align stakeholders, and lead with credibility is what separates organizations that react from those that lead.
Drawing on an Emmy Award–winning journalism career and deep experience across media, advocacy, and civic leadership, I help organizations define and own their narrative in moments that matter. I bring a nuanced understanding of how stories shape perception, how trust is built, and how organizations can position themselves as credible leaders while driving meaningful engagement and action.
I've built deep relationships with reporters, community organizers, and elected officials. But more importantly, I know how to help organizations show up with clarity, credibility, and purpose.
20+ Years
in Communications & Public Affairs
Guiding Principles
Vision
I believe in a world where every person and community is seen, heard, and valued; where storytelling is used as a force to advance equity, shift narratives, and drive meaningful change. My vision is to help build communities where voices are elevated, barriers are challenged, and institutions are accountable to the people they serve.
Mission
I work with organizations to shift from one-way messaging to participatory storytelling. That's where communities, employees, and partners help shape the narrative. It's about talking with partners not at them. By leading with listening, integrating advocacy, and designing for engagement, I help organizations strengthen reputation, amplify impact, and move people from awareness to action.
Built for Impact
Strategic Communications & Narrative Development
Multi-channel messaging, media relations, crisis communications, and executive positioning
Government Affairs & Public Policy
Legislative strategy, regulatory advocacy, coalition building, and policy storytelling
Digital Strategy & Audience Engagement
Social media campaigns, content development, digital advertising, and platform strategy
Stakeholder & Coalition Engagement
Community organizing, public affairs, grassroots activation, and cross-sector partnerships
Legislative Communications & Advocacy
Advocacy campaigns, legislative briefing materials, and rapid-response fundraising
Executive Communications & Thought Leadership
CEO advisory, spokesperson training, op-eds, and speaking engagements
Career Timeline
Director of Strategic Communications
Horizons for Homeless Children | Boston, MA
- Lead communications, marketing, brand strategy, and public affairs; manage a four-person team and developed the FY27 Marketing Operating Plan with four strategic pillars and 10 goals.
- Direct communications for the CEO leadership transition, aligning messaging across staff, board, donors, partners, and media.
- Oversee digital strategy, supporting organizational results including 53.7% website user growth to 166K and 6.2M social impressions; leading a website redesign for June 2027.
- Secured regional media coverage for a visit by Reps. Ayanna Pressley and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Mayor Michelle Wu; related social content generated 571K views.
- Oversee HubSpot email marketing, with organizational results spanning 103 campaigns, 51.8K contacts, and open rates reaching 79.5%.
- Partner with Development on a $699K integrated fundraising program reporting 216% acquisition revenue growth and a record-breaking $1.28M annual Breakfast.
- Spearhead brand modernization, video production, and internal communications systems; manage external vendors and budget oversight.
Elected School Committee Member
Arlington, MA
Adjunct Professor
Simmons University — Gwen Ifill School of Media
Senior Director of Communications
United Way of Massachusetts Bay
Host / Reporter / Producer, Greater Boston & Basic Black
GBH (WGBH News)
Part-Time Lecturer, School of Journalism
Northeastern University
Anchor / Reporter
Boston 25 News (WFXT)
Organizations & Affiliations
United Way of Massachusetts Bay
Boston 25 News (WFXT)
GBH / WGBH News
Simmons University
Northeastern University
March of Dimes
Arlington Human Rights Commission
MA Black and Latino Legislative Caucus
National Grid
Verizon
National Grid Foundation
Massachusetts Governor's Office
Mass 211
MA Dept. of Early Education and Care
Institute for Educational Leadership
Arlington EATS
Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA)
Mystic Valley NAACP
Selected Work
"The Impact is Palpable" — Legislative Briefing on Community Schools
Drafted press release for United Way of Massachusetts Bay covering a Statehouse legislative briefing co-sponsored by Senator Paul Mark and Representative Chyna Tyler, showcasing early Community Schools outcomes across Lynn, Lowell, Boston, and Haverhill.
Addressing the Human and Economic Costs of Homelessness
Drafted press release for the Massachusetts Supportive Housing Pipeline Coalition covering their annual convening at the Federal Reserve of Boston, celebrating passage of the $5.1B Affordable Homes Act and the release of the state's first comprehensive housing plan.
National Grid Foundation Donates $1.3M to United Ways for Fuel Assistance
Drafted press release announcing the National Grid Foundation's $1.3 million donation to United Way of Massachusetts Bay, United Way of Central Massachusetts, and Cape and Islands United Way — funding emergency heating, food, and basic needs assistance for thousands of families across the Commonwealth.
UnitedInsights: When Housing Is Stable, Students Can Thrive
A thought leadership piece connecting housing stability to student academic outcomes, published on the United Way of Massachusetts Bay platform.
UnitedInsights: Closing the Gap
A strategic thought leadership piece examining socio-economic equity gaps and actionable solutions for closing disparities in Massachusetts.
CEO Marty Martinez on CityLine — Responding to Federal Cuts
Supported research and developed talking points; placed United Way CEO Marty Martinez on CityLine to discuss federal funding cuts and protecting Massachusetts families.
United Way CEO in Boston Globe — Federal Cuts & Safety Net
Supported research and developed talking points; placed CEO commentary in the Boston Globe on the impact of federal budget cuts on Massachusetts safety net programs.
Community Schools MA Website
Researched, wrote and created website map for the Community Schools Massachusetts website to serve as a central resource hub for the statewide initiative.
United We Prepare — Early Education Hub
Researched, wrote and created website map for the United We Prepare microsite for United Way's early education and out-of-school time initiative.
MA Supportive Housing Coalition Website
Researched, wrote and created website map for the Massachusetts Supportive Housing Coalition website to amplify advocacy efforts and coalition communications.
Because You Said So (UWMB)
Supported cross-organization team and vendor engagement for the 'Because You Said So' campaign video for United Way of Massachusetts Bay.
Arlington Celebrates Black History Month — Banner Project
Founded, produced and managed town departments and community groups for the Arlington Black History Month Banner Project, placing commemorative banners along Massachusetts Avenue celebrating Black history and community leaders.
LEO Testimonial Video
Edited and produced a compelling testimonial video for LEO, showcasing community voices and organizational impact, as part of National Grid and National Grid Foundation grant allocation announcement and community services awareness campaign.
Community School Tour — Umana School, East Boston
Produced and posted a social media reel documenting a community school tour at Umana Academy in East Boston.
Community Schools Meat Donation in Lynn
Captured and produced a social reel highlighting a community schools meat donation event in Lynn, MA.
Harbor Light Homes & Northshore CDC
Created social content spotlighting the partnership between Harbor Light Homes, Northshore CDC, and the United Way.
Gratitude Project Social Campaign
Developed and executed the Gratitude Project social campaign with recap reels, photo stills, and MOS (man-on-street) interviews.
Policy Infographics
Designed and published policy infographic content to simplify complex legislative and budget issues for public audiences.
Women's History Month Campaign
Produced a multi-part Women's History Month social media campaign celebrating women leaders and changemakers.
Media & Public Appearances
Emmy award-winning journalist, anchor, and public speaker with over two decades covering Boston's most important stories.
Demo Reels
Desk & Field Journalism Reel
Award-winning stories and daily anchoring highlights from Boston 25 News — covering astronaut Dr. Jeanette Epps, Kim Janey's historic swearing-in, one-on-one with Mayor-Elect Michelle Wu, and more.
GBH News Reel 2024
Recent highlights from work on GBH's Greater Boston and Basic Black — covering Nikki Haley's exit, Harvard DEI debates, the National Urban League's 60th Anniversary report, Black mental health, and a personal on-camera mammogram journey.
Original Series
Boston's Black History: Inspiring Our Future
Creator, producer, and host of this award-winning series connecting Black history to the present day — highlighting those making history in Boston and the Black community. Aired annually on Boston 25 News from 2017–2023.
Priced Out — Housing Crisis Series
Emmy-nominated investigative series examining skyrocketing housing prices, rising homelessness, and the equity failures of Massachusetts housing policy. Covered micro-housing, young professional flight, rent hikes, and eviction reform.
Equity in Education Series
Emmy award-winning series examining inequities in Massachusetts education — covering METCO, teacher diversity, Voc Tech admissions standards, and challenges facing families of color.
Marijuana in Massachusetts — In-Depth Special
An in-depth special examining whether Massachusetts' recreational marijuana industry upholds the equity promises in its original law, following $1.45 billion in sales and 249 licenses granted.
Black Health Matters Series
Reported series on racial health disparities — including Black mental health, maternal mortality, and a personal on-camera mammogram story to raise awareness about breast cancer screening for Black women.
Public Speaking & Hosting
Moderator — NLC Connect 351 Keynote (MMA)
Moderated the keynote conversation with National League of Cities CEO Clarence Anthony at Connect 351 in Boston, covering AI in local government, the housing crisis, fiscal pressures, and the importance of local leadership.
Guest Speaker — PRSA Greater Worcester Annual Meeting
Featured guest speaker at the Public Relations Society of America Greater Worcester chapter's annual meeting, sharing expertise in communications, media, and public affairs.
Moderator — Boston Women's Workforce Council Wage Equity Impact Awards
Served as moderator for the 2024 Q2 BWWC Signer Briefing and Wage Equity Impact Awards, convening Boston's top business leaders around pay equity and gender equity in the workplace.
Emcee — Boston Partners in Education Big Cheese Reads Gala
Led a panel with volunteer mentor and student mentees at the 14th Annual Big Cheese Reads Gala, which raised nearly $590,000 for academic mentorship in Boston Public Schools.
Diversity & Inclusion Community Conversations (Arlington)
Produced and facilitated town-wide community forums on racial justice and equity as Arlington Human Rights Commissioner and Chair of the MLK Jr. Birthday Celebration — covering topics from housing to AAPI voices to BLM.
Speaker — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Grand Rounds
Spoke at the Department of OB/GYN Luke Vincent Powers Memorial Grand Rounds at BIDMC, sharing personal experience with racism during medical treatment and providing recommendations for DEI training improvements in healthcare.
Common
Narrative
Founder and CEO of Common Narrative Media who's mission is to combine advocacy and digital innovation to create measurable public engagement at scale.
PRSA Deck
Conference Keynote
Website
Full Redesign
Podcast
12 Episodes
On Substack
On BOTH/AND, I write about race, motherhood, media, and the messy space between what we believe and how we actually live. Few easy answers. Lots of questions. Subscribe for new posts straight to your inbox.
You Mattered More Than Proving a Point
A personal essay on the complicated intersection of public education, race, parenthood and choice — what it means to serve on a School Committee while sending your Black son to a charter school, and why belonging matters more than proving a point.
Latest from the Blog
Let's Work
Together
Cut through the noise and meaningfully connect with audiences.
Available For
- Communications & Media Strategy
- Public Relations & Marketing Consulting
- Media Kits & Brand Positioning
- Copywriting & Content Development
- Television & Radio Production
- Hosting & Moderation
- Speaking Engagements
- Spokesperson & Media Training
crystal.haynes@gmail.com
Location
Arlington, MA
linkedin.com/in/crystalhaynes
