Houston – Crystal and Kevin Lister of Mommy and Me: The Listers have been at the forefront of making STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education exciting and accessible to everyone in the Houston area.
The Listers are also Houston Life regulars. They’re usually walking us through fun and exciting experiences but, this time Crystal Lister sat down with Houston life co-hosts Derrick Shore and Tessa Barrera to share some big news. Recently, the Lister family received a major boost to further their mission—a $20,000 grant as a result of taking home first place at SCORE’s 60th Anniversary Pitch Competition. While Crystal and their adorable girls Krissy and Kinsley are in the spotlight for the recent honor, dad, Kevin is the genius behind the scenes. This funding marks the largest single amount the family’s organization, Mommy and Me, has ever received. Reflecting on the achievement, Crystal shared her excitement stating that “This is a big deal not just for us but for how we will use it to transform the lives of others.”
This pitch competition was part of SCORE’s 60th-anniversary celebration. SCORE, a nonprofit organization that provides mentoring and support to entrepreneurs, played an essential role in Crystal’s journey. As a first-generation college graduate and entrepreneur, Crystal admitted she had no prior knowledge of how to run a business. She reached out to SCORE for guidance, where her very first mentor returned to help her once again.
Securing the grant was not an easy one. Crystal explained the selection process was rigorous. The Listers were chosen as semi-finalists out of 2,000 applicants.
The Listers are now preparing for their next big event on October 27, when they’ll host a STEM carnival at Emancipation Park in Houston. The event promises more experiments, fun activities, and a chance for the community to connect with valuable educational resources.
Watch the full interview in the player above!