Crystal Ndidi Ibe '09: From FWC to a Trailblazing Legal Career

Crystal Ndidi Ibe, a 2009 graduate of Fort Worth Christian School (FWC), embodies the spirit of resilience, excellence, and community that FWC strives to instill in its students. Known by "Ndidi" while at FWC, Crystal's journey from the halls of FWC to becoming a Litigation Partner at the Curry Law Firm in Houston is a testament to her unwavering commitment to her personal and professional goals.

Early Beginnings and Educational Pursuits

Crystal’s academic journey began with her transferring to FWC for her senior year, a move that can be frightening for many. However, the welcoming environment at FWC made her transition seamless. “Transferring to a new school for your senior year can be seen as a daunting thing, but the welcoming environment of FWC made it easy,” Crystal recalls. "The sense of community and support at FWC played a crucial role in helping me settle in and thrive."

After graduating from FWC, Crystal received a full scholarship to play volleyball at the United States Naval Academy, playing there for 2 seasons (2009 and 2010 seasons) and then transferring to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) where she graduated in 2013.

While at UMES (2011 and 2012 seasons) Crystal helped her team win two back-to-back conference championships (MEAC) – the only volleyball championships in the school’s history. She became the UMES All-Time Blocks Leader in only two seasons at UMES and was named to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (“ECAC”) Division I Volleyball All-Start Team (the only MEAC player and middle hitter selected). Serving as team captain, she was ranked in the top 3 in the conference for total blocks, blocks per set, and hitting percentage, and received conference (MEAC) all-academic team honors, MEAC commissioner’s all-academic team, and MEAC player of the week, and Peninsula Regional Medical Center (“PRMC”) UMES Athlete of the Week multiple times.

After graduating from UMES in 2013, Crystal attended law school at the prestigious Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University, graduating in 2016. Crystal’s love for the game found her playing or coaching while simultaneously balancing her law career. While in her first year of law school, she was the Volunteer Volleyball Coach at Texas Southern University. "I also played on the Texas Southern University’s club team while I was in law school, where we won the intra-collegiate championship, and I was named MVP. After I passed the bar exam and established by law career, I later returned to coaching at Texas Southern University as the Assistant Volleyball Coach and was in that position for 2 seasons (2022 and 2023 seasons). I did that while also practicing law."

Crystal saw her purpose as a coach was to show that there is a life after volleyball. "Your life isn’t over when you’re finished playing whatever sport that you’re playing, and your sport is not the thing that you are. When you go through college, you need to have a goal and other interests and figure out what it is you want to do when this time period of your life is over. In coming back to coach while still being a full-time lawyer, I wanted athletes to see that you can have multiple passions and you can do more than just one thing, but I also wanted to be a person they could trust to take advice from. I hope that I was able to do that. Imparting some kind of wisdom on the next generation in whatever way I can would definitely be a highlight."

One of Crystal's professors, Ahunanya Anga Associate Dean for Teaching and Faculty Development at TSU, remembers fondly her time with Crystal. "Ms. Ibe was an excellent student. She was always on top of her law school coursework, and anytime she was asked a question in class, she would be spot-on with her answer. Law school requires students to analyze the law through case briefing and apply the law to different scenarios. She mastered the skill and today is an outstanding lawyer. She was an absolute joy to teach!"

These experiences laid a strong foundation for her legal career and equipped her with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in her profession.

Building a Distinguished Legal Career

Crystal’s legal career is marked by significant achievements and a clear dedication to justice. Her first notable role was as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Judge Jomo Meade of the Superior Court of the U.S. Virgin Islands from 2017 to 2018. During her tenure, she wrote a 49-page opinion for a complex and highly publicized civil trial between the government and a major company, showcasing her ability to handle intricate legal matters.

Following this, Crystal became the Lead Litigation Attorney at Cadilac Law PLLC from 2018 to 2020. One of her remarkable accomplishments during this period was securing a judgment of approximately $443,000 for her clients, a testament to her litigation prowess and dedication to her clients’ causes.

In 2020, Crystal took a bold step by founding The Ibe Law Firm, demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to providing legal services to those in need. Her journey continued as she joined the Curry Law Firm in March 2022, where she has recently been named a Litigation Partner. In this role, she handles real estate and business litigation disputes for individuals and businesses, further solidifying her reputation as a skilled litigator.

Eleanor Curry, Attorney at Law and owner of the Curry Law Firm said this about her value at the firm. "At the crossroads where heartfelt hard work and diligence meet, there you will find Crystal N. Ibe and where you can find her indelible impact on the legal community." Ms. Curry continued, "Crystal's quiet strength is paired with a dedication to not just do the right thing, but to also do it for the right reasons, and the outcome is a champion for the law, for justice, for her clients, and for those she loves."

Serving and Leading in the Community

Crystal’s contributions extend beyond the courtroom. She has served in various capacities, contributing to both her professional field and her community. She authored a law review article titled "Feeding the Homeless: The Criminalization of a Humanitarian Act" in 2015, highlighting her commitment to social justice issues. "I learned about various anti-feeding ordinances that had been implemented throughout the United States. These laws and ordinances came from many different stereotypes and negative connotations of the homeless population. The purpose of the article was to show a history of the anti-feeding ordinances, but I was also motivated to educate others that homelessness is a multi-dimensional issue that cannot be solved overnight or by some quick fix.

Her involvement with the National Society of Black Engineers – DFW Professionals Chapter as Secretary from 2019 to 2020 demonstrates her dedication to supporting and advancing the engineering community. She has also served as Place 3 Alternate on the North Richland Hills Zoning Board of Adjustment from 2020 to 2022, and as Public Relations Director for the A Change Is Coming Scholarship Fund since 2021, showcasing her commitment to community service and development.

In addition, Crystal has been a member of the Northeast Tarrant Chamber of Commerce from 2021 to 2022 and was a speaker on the University of Maryland Eastern Shore's "Young and Ambitious Alumni Panel: Excelling After Graduation" in 2021. Her dedication to public service is further evidenced by her candidacy for the North Richland Hills City Council, Place 5, in the May 2021 General Election.

From Volleyball to Track 

Coming to FWC her senior year, Ndidi loved the embrace of the volleyball team. From the yearbook, Ndidi says, "The volleyball girls are marvelous!" But her athleticism continued into the spring as she ran track, running the 100m and 200m and breaking the school record that stood until this past spring. "I never trained to break any school records," Crystal commented, "I honestly would say that I’m just a competitor and I don’t like to lose. I’ve always been self-motivated to do the best I can in everything I put my mind to so breaking a record was a bonus to all the hard work."

Scott Smiley, former Cardinal Athletic Director, shared, "It is obvious God has gifted Ndidi with tremendous physical and mental abilities, but what has separated her from most is how she has used these talents.  She represented our FWC Family in so many great ways, and her successes then and now certainly speak for themselves." Smiley, continued, "What makes me most proud is her humility and desire to succeed throughout it all.  She was contagious to us all in so many great ways. I loved to watch her compete and give our Savior credit for her achievements.  Speaking on behalf of not only myself, but our entire Cardinal coaching staff, I can confidently say, it was both an honor and privilege coaching her, and we are not surprised one bit about her achievements beyond high school….simply who she is!  We love our Ndidi!" 

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Eventually, recent Class of 2024 graduate Kadi Vaughn broke Ndidi's record in the 100m and 200m during her Junior and Senior years respectively. "For years, I saw her name on the record board in the workout room. It was such an accomplishment to not only beat her long-held records," said Vaughn, "but it was really fun to meet her when she came to campus for a visit last spring."

Current FWC coach Brady Gunn acknowledged that Ndidi epitomizes what it means to be a FWC Cardinal. "She always led by example, whether on the field or in the classroom. Despite how well she walked in humility, she was an absolute fierce competitor and had no problem smiling when she won, which was usually the case. Needless to say, she was a blast to coach and represented our school well."

Reflections on FWC and Advice for Future Students

Looking back on her time at FWC, Crystal fondly remembers the supportive community that made her transition smooth and enriched her high school experience. “I loved the welcoming community of FWC,” she says. This sense of belonging and support was instrumental in helping her achieve her goals.

One of her favorite memories is of her volleyball coach, Misty (Cole) Stern, who played a significant role in her development both as an athlete and as an individual. “Coach truly valued each one of us as individuals. Not only did she help us grow as volleyball players, she helped us grow in faith by integrating Christ-based lessons into our team goals,” Crystal recalls. This holistic approach to coaching and mentorship left a lasting impact on her.

When asked, Coach fondly remembered her first interaction with Crystal. "As we prepared for the coming volleyball season, we held a few open gym sessions and let the players come get some reps. In walked a beautiful new student and Coach Jeff and I were eager to see what she might bring to the team. Our minds were blown! This kid could jump out of the gym and smash a ball that would knock you out in no time! And the best thing about it was her sweet, shy smile when she did it. She was a blessing to our team that year, and it's been a blessing for me to watch her achieve all that she has set her mind to. She is doing her thing and I love it!

Crystal believes that the education and values instilled at FWC have been crucial in preparing her for life’s challenges. To prospective students considering joining Fort Worth Christian, she offers this advice: “Fort Worth Christian is a community full of people dedicated to building up each of its students. If you want to feel supported and seen while furthering your educational, spiritual, and athletic goals, you've come to the right place.”

Relating to pursuing a law degree, Crystal shared this perspective. "Black attorneys make up only 5% of the legal field, and black women attorneys make up roughly 2%. Representation matters. Do not let the feelings of imposter syndrome deter you from pursuing a career in law. We are more than capable of pursuing any career we want, we belong in this career field, and we are successful in this career."

A Bright Future Ahead

Crystal Ndidi Ibe’s journey from a new senior at FWC to a successful litigation partner and community leader is an inspiring story of perseverance, dedication, and community support. Her achievements in the legal field, coupled with her commitment to serving and leading in her community, exemplify the values that FWC aims to instill in its students. Crystal’s story is a shining example of how the supportive and nurturing environment at FWC can help students achieve their full potential and make a positive impact in the world.