Crystal B Morris is President of the Wynnefield Residents’ Association (WRA), a non-profit established in 1957 which advocates on behalf of residents on quality-of-life issues such as housing, zoning, and public safety. The WRA also operates as the Registered Community Organization (RCO).
Crystal’s experience of going through the CPI course deepened her understanding of urban planning and community resources. She gained knowledge and skills that helped her support Wynnefield during difficult times.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Crystal’s community lacked engagement. However, she was able to put her CPI knowledge to use to uplift the Wynnefield, which “revealed a lot of things about the community’s vulnerabilities that we didn’t know. We have a lot of seniors.” Everything changed quickly. She led an outdoor pantry for 18 months, known as a “pop-up pantry.” Residents could drive through a parking lot, get a box put into their car, and leave without any risk of contact. Even though we see this often today, it was a novel concept at the time.
Despite such a short time frame, the pantry’s plan was carried out successfully as it became one of the best unifiers for the community. Residents first came to the food drive seeking assistance but later returned as volunteers to help others. Her team soon grew to 20 volunteers. Beaming, Crystal recalls how she worked with a young lady who had been laid off from SEPTA at the time. Fully dressed in uniform, she approached Crystal saying: “I have time, I want to help.” Reflecting, Crystal was moved by this act of community building in such difficult times.
Despite her successes, Crystal is extremely humble. “I’m not special, I don’t know more than anyone else. But I carry that story because it shows that everyone can do something of value in the community.”
Veterans' Day unveiling our newly refurbished Veterans Memorial
Pop Up Pantry Group
MLK Day '25 with Sisters Interacting Through Stitches
Crystal credits much of her community leadership to the Citizens Planning Institute, where she discovered one of her most valuable tools: the yellow “CPI-in-a-Box” resource that she now uses to educate and empower others. “Had I known that city planning or urban planning was even a thing when I was growing up, I might have approached things differently,” she said. “I became a real estate broker because it seemed like the closest avenue for me to impact land use.” Through CPI, Morris found a network that she says “levels the playing field,” helping residents like her realize they have “just as much right to be in that space as anyone else.” Whether recognizing fellow CPI graduates in unexpected places or working with residents across Wynnefield, she continues to champion inclusion and local pride. “You’re going to have folks with many letters after their name, but you’re also going to have grandma with a broom who just gets out and sweeps,” she said.
One is no more valuable than the other.
Crystal’s involvement with CPI expanded beyond the classroom. She currently gives back to the CPI community as a member of the Steering Committee of Philadelphia2050: Planning Together, the comprehensive plan for the city. Crystal was also able to come back and teach a CPI class on zoning and RCOs.
As part of her broader advocacy, one can find Crystal testifying at public hearings and council meetings. Just recently, she spoke in support of Nuisance Business Enforcement Legislation Bill Nos. 250708 and 250709. She described the urgent need to hold non-compliant businesses accountable for fostering environments that attract or tolerate disruptive and illegal activity at the expense of community wellbeing. “We mean business because we are also in the business – the business of community,” Morris declared, highlighting both the everyday struggles faced by families and seniors and the potential the bills hold for empowering neighborhoods to reclaim their streets and improve public safety.
Community members are tired of trying to color within the lines with broken crayons. Pass these bills with legal ramifications & give us the tools we need to affect real change.
In the future, Crystal’s ultimate goal is homeownership for all who desire it. Through her company, Butler Morris Properties, Crystal continues to work creating homeownership opportunities for non-traditional buyers. Aside for working with WRA, she also serves as local chapter director for HOPE worldwide, an international charity working to strengthen communities to fight poverty.
Crystal Morris recently spoke at the ribbon-cutting of the Wynnefield Library, which was renovated in October of this year. It now has a courtyard that has an outdoor learning and playing space. Photos in the carousel above courtesy of Crystal and Rebuild Philadelphia.
Written by Catherine Cheng, Fall 2025 CPI Intern