Welcome back to spotlight hustle, where we celebrate Black women who are rewriting what power looks like — in business, in leadership, and in life.
Today, we’re spotlighting Christal M. Cherry, known across the nonprofit world as The Board Pro — a speaker, trainer, and consultant helping organizations build boards that don’t just check boxes, but change lives.
Her story is one of hustle, humor, and heart. A woman who turned “no’s” into new lanes and built a business that reflects everything she stands for — courage, community, and compassion.
Grit, Grace, and Good Food
Christal Cherry grew up in New York — a city full of noise, flavor, and faith. Her childhood was a blend of grit and grace, where every day came with lessons in love and resilience.
Her mother worked long hours, her father had a personality big enough to fill the room, and her home was always alive — with stories, laughter, and the smell of something good cooking.
“What we lacked in money, we made up for in faith and humor,” she says. “My mom could stretch a dollar and still make you feel rich.”
Christal was raised by women who embodied quiet strength — her mother, her grandmothers, and the church women who ran entire communities from folding chairs and Sunday kitchens. Those women taught her that leadership doesn’t always wear a suit — sometimes, it wears an apron and a knowing smile.
The Spark That Started It All
Christal’s hustle was inspired by watching her mother go back to college to study nursing while raising a family. “She’d work all day, come home, help with homework, and then study for her exams,” Christal recalls. “That’s when I learned what purpose looks like in motion.”
That same discipline shaped her career — one built not just on ambition, but on the belief that impact matters more than applause.
From Fundraiser to Founder
Christal started her professional journey in higher education and fundraising, connecting alumni to causes that mattered. She didn’t have a roadmap, but she had heart — and that was enough to get her through the early days of “fake it till you make it.”
“I loved connecting people to something bigger than themselves,” she says. “Even when I didn’t have all the answers, I knew I was meant to build bridges.”
But as the years passed, Christal noticed a pattern — nonprofit boards were struggling. They lacked diversity, clarity, and confidence. Meetings were full, but leadership was empty.
So, she decided to fix it.
The Birth of The Board Pro
Christal launched The Board Pro, a consultancy designed to help boards be brave, inclusive, and effective. She didn’t just want to teach people how to serve — she wanted to show them how to lead.
Her approach is both bold and refreshing — part strategy, part soul. She helps organizations confront hard truths about representation and accountability while creating environments where everyone feels they belong.
“I don’t just train boards,” she says. “I transform them. Because equity without empathy isn’t leadership — it’s lip service.”
Redirection, Not Rejection
Like any entrepreneur, Christal’s journey came with setbacks. Losing clients early on hurt — deeply.
“I took every ‘no’ personally,” she admits. “But I had to learn that rejection isn’t about worth — it’s redirection. It’s life pushing you toward alignment.”
Every lesson became a building block. Every challenge became a chapter in the story she now teaches others to write for themselves.
Faith, Family, and a Good Playlist
When the work gets hard, Christal grounds herself in what matters most — faith, family, and laughter. “Sometimes you just need a walk, a song, or a prayer,” she says. “The work will always be there, but your peace won’t if you don’t protect it.”
Her “why” is simple but powerful:
“I want to see more Black and Brown leaders not just sitting at the table — but shaping it.”
Representation in Real Time
As a Black woman in nonprofit leadership, Christal knows what it means to be “the only” in the room. It’s both challenge and superpower.
She brings lived experience, empathy, and cultural fluency that can’t be taught. “Representation,” she says, “isn’t just visibility. It’s voice. It’s showing up so another Black girl can see what’s possible.”
And that’s exactly what she does — showing up with joy, humor, and authenticity that fills every room she walks into.
The Rhythm of a Leader
Christal’s days are a mix of purpose and play.
Mornings begin with coffee and prayer, followed by client calls, writing, and strategy sessions. She swears by her planner, midday walks, and the power of saying “no.”
“No is a full sentence,” she laughs. “Every yes costs energy. Choose wisely.”
Rest isn’t optional — it’s scheduled. “Naps are strategy,” she says. “Joy is non-negotiable.”
Why We Love Christal’s Story
- She proves that leadership doesn’t have to look like hierarchy — it can look like healing.
- She reminds us that kindness is power.
- And because she’s building a new generation of leaders who know that belonging is not a favor — it’s a right.
Rapid Fire Round (Fun + Fierce)
- Coffee or tea? Coffee — strong, like my opinions.
- Morning person or night owl? Late morning. My brain checks out before 10 am and after 10 pm.
- One word for this season? Expansion.
- Book/podcast you love? Black Philanthropy: Our Stories — and yes, I wrote it.
- Mantra: Do it scared, but do it.
- Favorite physical activity: Walking in the sun — therapy without the copay.
- Discipline hack: Boundaries. They’re free, and they work.
Legacy in Motion
Christal is building a world where nonprofit boards reflect the communities they serve — diverse, equitable, and deeply human.
Her next big dream? Franchising The Board Pro and launching her upcoming book, No More Folding Chairs: Building Boards Where Everyone Belongs.
Because for Christal, leadership isn’t about titles — it’s about transformation.
Join the Movement
The conversations didn’t end at the Summit. They’re shaping the future, and you’re part of it.
Watch the replay of the Summit.
Also, follow womenindigitalbusiness — where we celebrate the stories, pivots, and possibilities of Black women who are building brands that shine from the inside out.
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