Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Tracy G. Crump

Hi Dr. Tracy G., please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.

I was born and raised in a modest household. We did not enjoy many of the comforts we have today, but we always had enough. My parents and grandparents graduated high school and elementary school, respectively. But their wish for me was to use education as a stepping stone to achieve dreams neither of us could have imagined.

At fourteen, I was drawn to law. I watched as people I knew—friends, neighbors, even acquaintances—were forced to make life-changing decisions due to a lack of resources. I could not help but question why some folks had access to basic needs like food and shelter while others did not. As I grew older, these disparities became even more apparent as I competed in academic contests, visiting different schools. I saw firsthand how some schools were overflowing with resources while others were barely scraping by and how this gap directly impacted students’ readiness and opportunities.

These experiences shaped my career path, steering me towards addressing crime and criminological issues. I pursued higher education to become a criminal justice educator and a lawyer. I also made it my mission to connect people with the services and resources they need to navigate life, further their education, and reach their career aspirations.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

Life’s journey is seldom a straight line. From an early age, I saw firsthand the deep-seated effects of poverty on individuals, families, and entire communities. I also witnessed the havoc wreaked by gang violence, substance misuse, and the glaring lack of adequate treatment and rehabilitation options.

Existing in this environment bred intense personal pressures, like folks living in fear of speaking up due to potential backlash, community members feeling compelled to stay indoors to dodge becoming victims, and structural pressures such as neighborhood neglect, unfair housing practices, limited access to health and mental health services, and the lingering impact of community discrimination.

These early life experiences served as the backdrop to help me navigate future challenges. For example, when I was repeatedly told that my career aspirations were not “fit for a girl,” I could have easily thrown in the towel. But, having already set high expectations and goals for myself and feeling a sense of belonging with my mentors and peers, I persevered. Moreover, discovering that less than 5% of lawyers were Black, and an even smaller percentage were Black women, could have discouraged me from chasing my education. But, I have been sharpening my persistence, dedication, motivation, emotional maturity, adaptability, resilience, and grit over my lifetime. Confronting and conquering these challenges have been pivotal in my life’s journey. These experiences strengthen my passion for the work I do today.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Tracy Crump Enterprises®?

I am a business owner, trainer, college professor, Criminologist, Victimologist, and attorney. I am the Chief Education Officer at Tracy Crump Enterprises®, which offers state-certified continuing education courses on domestic violence, sexual assault, and sexual harassment awareness for cosmetology professionals. I team up with colleges, universities, corporations, and non-profits to offer college readiness workshops, carry out equity assessments, craft strategic diversity plans, provide intercultural team consultations, and spearhead workshops on managing bias, microaggressions, and mental hygiene in diverse communities. My goal is to drive tangible change, standing shoulder to shoulder with educational institutions and individuals who are the change-makers of our time. By facilitating workshops, driving inclusion initiatives, and addressing sexual misconduct on campuses, I contribute to a ripple effect of inspiration, creativity, and growth. As a university professor, I teach undergraduate and graduate students criminal justice courses.

At my core, I am all about helping others understand and achieve their goals. With nearly two decades of experience as an award-winning educator and thought leader, I am dedicated to helping clients clarify their goals, sharpen their skills, and support them in their success. My journey as a college student over 30 years gives me a unique vantage point. I bring all my experience to my clients, whether I am coaching college students, early-career educators, or leaders. My deep understanding of university faculty, staff, and students helps me pinpoint pain points and devise effective strategies for college preparation, workplace navigation, and writing. As an adjunct, tenure-track, and tenured educator, my diverse background in public, private, and faith-based institutions enriches my teaching and speaking engagements on diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice (DEIBJ).

Beyond my professional roles, I am a wife, mother, educator, author, and attorney. Education has profoundly impacted my journey, transforming me from a novice to a game-changer in my industry. Success should be accessible to everyone, regardless of zip code, ancestry, or wealth. My vision is a society where students can achieve their dreams without unfair hurdles. I am committed to rewriting the inequality narrative through education, ensuring everyone gets a fair chance of success.

I strive for a purposeful life where every action matters. My foray into the working world through education and criminal justice allowed me to tackle systemic inequalities. I realized that addressing problems directly, rather than turning a blind eye, was crucial. The education system often lay at the heart of these issues, prompting me to channel my energy there. This clarity of purpose led me to academia, where I aim to leave a lasting imprint on young minds that will shape our future. My various roles in higher education each equipped me with invaluable knowledge for my consulting and advisory services.

My approach is proactive and multifaceted, encompassing assessment expertise, workshop facilitation, and trusted consulting. I excel at pinpointing obstacles that impede progress and creating tailored plans to overcome them, enabling individuals and organizations to reach their goals. My dedication to student success is at the forefront of my book, “A.C.E.S. for Students: Strategies for Success in the First Year of College & Beyond,” which encourages students to do the personal work needed to understand themselves better, break barriers, and achieve their goals.

My holistic approach addresses my clients’ challenges, symptoms, and root causes, ensuring my suggestions are reliable and achievable. I adopt a client-centered model, empathetically understanding clients’ challenges and crafting solutions that resonate with them and those they serve. Supporting authenticity is crucial to my work, helping students, educators, and organizations thrive by being their true selves.

Ultimately, I am a lifelong learner, constantly updating my knowledge and refining my techniques to provide the highest level of service. My dedication to education drives me to help clients and students turn their visions into tangible successes, creating a better future for all.

What makes you happy?

My family makes me immensely happy. I enjoy spending time with them, sharing our experiences, and learning and growing together. Helping others achieve their dreams and goals also brings me immense joy. I find happiness in seeing the transformation education can bring in a person’s life, breaking barriers and opening doors to new opportunities. The satisfaction of witnessing my clients and students turn their visions into tangible successes is unparalleled. I am also deeply passionate about driving equity in education and society. Knowing that my work contributes to creating a fairer world where everyone can reach their version of success, regardless of their background, fuels my happiness. Lastly, being a lifelong learner, constantly updating my knowledge and refining my techniques to provide the highest level of service also brings me enjoyment and is the foundation for the innovative techniques I adopt to help my clients succeed.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tracycrumpenterprisesllc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracygcrump/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tracy.crump.372/