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Written By: Kiara Day

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Christal Jordan always knew she was a storyteller. Her first novel, written in the fourth grade, wasn’t a school assignment—it was a love story about her friends marrying the members of New Edition and Al B. Sure. Even as a child, she understood the magic of seeing oneself reflected in a story and the joy it brought to others. That early passion for writing blossomed into a lifelong commitment to the craft. In college, she discovered Public Relations and was captivated by the power of words to shape perception. Today, as Editor-in-Chief and a communications powerhouse, Christal uses her voice to empower her community and uplift others with authenticity, creativity, and courage.

Her journey hasn’t been easy. As the first entrepreneur in her family, Christal made mistakes early in her career—missteps that came not from lack of talent, but from lack of knowledge about how to build and run a business. She learned that admitting you don’t know everything isn’t a weakness—it’s wisdom. Seeking help, surrounding herself with experienced mentors, and growing through every trial gave her the resilience and insight that define her leadership today. Her greatest strength became her ability to adapt, learn, and lead with humility.

Mentorship has been a guiding force in Christal’s life. Before moving to Atlanta from Tulsa, Oklahoma, she was fortunate to have mentors who offered invaluable advice and perspective. But when she arrived in Atlanta, she initially tried to navigate the city’s fast-paced business world alone—a decision she later realized cost her time, money, and peace of mind. Now, she seeks the counsel of trusted advisors and, in turn, provides mentorship to others. She sees it as a sacred responsibility, paying forward the support she once received and nurturing the next generation of women leaders.

Work-life balance didn’t always come naturally to Christal. In the early days of building her public relations firm while raising children, she poured herself into clients and family until there was nothing left for herself. Through hard lessons, she came to understand that being “selfish” isn’t a flaw—it’s a necessity. Inspired by a conversation with Bozoma Saint John, she now advocates fiercely for women to put themselves first, not last. Her advice to young women is simple yet profound: attack work, life, and self with equal urgency every single day.

Beyond her editorial leadership, Christal is an author and advocate. Her book Dear Alpha Female, It’s Not Him, It’s Youchallenges professional women to take accountability in their relationships, urging them to pursue love with the same determination they apply to their careers. She believes women deserve to be fulfilled in every area of life, not just professionally, and she’s unafraid to say so publicly.

A pivotal moment in Christal’s career came when she failed to trust her instincts during a corporate campaign. Intimidated by a large company, she stayed silent when she should have spoken up for her client. When the campaign underperformed, it affirmed a powerful truth: her expertise was valid, and her voice mattered. From that moment on, she vowed never to silence herself again in rooms where her insight was needed.

Christal stays on the cutting edge of her field by embracing lifelong learning. She acknowledges that her 1997 undergraduate education couldn’t possibly equip her for the social media-driven landscape of today. She studies, takes classes, and constantly evolves to stay relevant. Innovation, she believes, is born from curiosity and the courage to adapt.

To women entering her industry, Christal urges them to study hard, trust their instincts, and never shrink in male-dominated spaces. She believes in starting as you mean to go on—with clarity, confidence, and conviction. In her words, “If you go in with your tail tucked, it’ll be hard to change that trajectory.”

As a champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Christal lives by a three-tier model: being mentored, walking with peers, and mentoring others. She believes every woman needs someone pulling her up, someone walking beside her, and someone she’s helping to rise. That spirit of connection and community drives everything she does.

Looking ahead, Christal is working on new television projects and adapting her first novel, Under the Cherry Moon, into a feature film. Her goal is clear: to tell stories that empower and uplift—especially for women of color. Through words, leadership, and unwavering purpose, Christal Jordan continues to shape Atlanta’s cultural and professional landscape with brilliance and boldness.