We are proud to share December’s Friends and Family Fund Grant Winner: Crystal Lister, founder of Mommy and Me: The Listers, The STEM Magicians.
Every month, Sky’s the Limit invests up to $2,500 in rising entrepreneurs through our Friends and Family Fund Grant. These grants fuel bold ideas, unlock opportunity, and affirm what underrepresented founders already know to be true: their stories matter, and their impact deserves to grow.
This funding is not just capital. It is belief put into action.
Growing up, Crystal Lister did not dream of becoming a lawyer or a doctor. Her dream was shaped by what she could see around her. She wanted to be a cashier.
That dream was not a lack of ambition. It was a lack of exposure.
Everything changed when Crystal was introduced to STEM. That moment opened a world she did not know was possible and ultimately changed the trajectory of her life.
Today, Crystal is a NASA operational psychology specialist and the founder of Mommy and Me: The Listers. Her mission is simple and powerful: to change lives in underserved communities by introducing young learners, starting as early as age two, to the magic of science, technology, engineering, and math
Crystal was once part of the statistic she now works to change.
As an educator, she saw firsthand how learning gaps widen when families lack access, resources, or confidence. During the pandemic, parents were suddenly expected to become teachers overnight. Many struggled, not because they did not care, but because they were never given the tools.
Mommy and Me: The Listers serves both children and parents, reinforcing learning at home and making education a shared experience. Crystal’s programs remove intimidation and replace it with curiosity, joy, and confidence
Crystal’s approach is rooted in both research and lived experience. Children often need to see new concepts hundreds of times to understand them. But when learning happens through play, it sticks faster and deeper.
That is why Mommy and Me: The Listers creates immersive, hands-on experiences like STEM Carnivals and interactive workshops. Children explore augmented and virtual reality, build with robots, launch rockets, and meet real engineers, pilots, and scientists.
The message is clear: if you can see it, you can be it
In Houston alone, approximately 700,000 people lack access to reliable transportation. Crystal’s next step is a mobile STEM lab, a traveling learning experience that brings high energy education directly into underserved neighborhoods.
This is not about a single event. It is about sparking a lifelong love of learning and building confidence that lasts far beyond one day.
With mentorship from Sky’s the Limit and support from volunteers and partners, Crystal refined her pitch, clarified her message, and learned how to communicate the full scope of her vision.
Crystal was awarded the $2,500 December Friends and Family Fund Grant after winning the live pitch competition.
Each month, the two most boosted pitches on the Sky’s the Limit platform, along with one wildcard, advance to a live competition. Crystal stood out by turning data into story and vision into action.
Her pitch was not just compelling. It was deeply human.
You can watch Crystal’s winning pitch below.
The Friends and Family Fund provides early stage capital of up to $2,500 each month to underrepresented entrepreneurs launching bold ideas. Through Sky’s the Limit’s community powered pitch process, more than $500,000 in grants have been awarded to founders creating meaningful change. Every grant represents trust, access, and momentum.
Whether you're still shaping your idea or you're ready to scale, Sky’s the Limit is here to help you turn your vision into a reality. From mentorship and community to grant funding and coaching, the support you need is just a few clicks away.
Start by building your profile, creating your Funding Pitch, and connecting with our community.