CRYSTAL R. EMERY
FILMMAKER, VIRTUAL REALITY PRODUCER, & CEO
IF/THEN Series
Crystal R. Emery uses technology to tell stories. She is a producer, filmmaker, writer, director, and activist. Through this work, she aims to make the world a more equal place for everyone.
Emery co-founded and runs URU The Right to Be, Inc, a nonprofit that works to create a more equitable world through media and the arts.
One of Emery’s projects, Changing the Face of STEM, is a national education initiative that ”encourages black, brown, disabled, and female young people to embark upon and succeed in [STEM].” She is proud of creating a virtual reality (VR) game called “You Can’t Be What You Can’t See.” Participants wore a VR headset and entered a simulated experience of a STEM professional.
Emery shares: “Since 5th grade, I have followed my passion for creating and storytelling. Being able to utilize technology to tell someone else’s story is really important because if you don't tell your story, why would anybody else?
“In 2002, due to a hereditary disease, I became a quadriplegic. Although it took time for me to adjust, I never let being in a wheelchair stop me. I never let other people define what my capableness is and neither should you.”
Name Pronunciation: Hear the correct pronunciation of Emery’s name in her IF/THEN Ambassador videos.
Educational Pathway: Emery studied theater in undergrad and started making films working in Hollywood. Through working in entertainment and multimedia, she grows with each project, like developing the skill set to make virtual reality games.
Further resources
(some links may be repeated from above)
Follow her on Twitter: @URUTheRightToBe
Follow her on Instagram: @URUTheRightToBe