Crystal Gilmore-Harris, 54, is a lifelong Reading resident and 1987 graduate of Reading High
School. Her love of cheering began in childhood at age 5, when beloved cheerleading coach the late Joyce Dugay encouraged her to get involved with the sport through the Northwest Athletic Association. Gilmore-Harris continued cheering at Northwest Middle School and Reading High
School, where she was named captain of both the junior varsity and varsity cheerleading squads and named Miss All-Star at cheer camp her senior year out of 19 squads at Shippensburg
University. Following high school, Gilmore-Harris worked in several positions, including Surgery Coordinator at EKZCW Associates, and Administrative Assistant for the Reading School District, working for Wynton Butler, whom she admires as a mentor. She is currently the Community Outreach Coordinator, for Senator Judy Schwank, who she admires and respects for her
authenticity. She feels this position will allow her to continue to serve her community tying in all the years of community service. Gilmore-Harris began coaching at age 18 with the Northwest Athletic Association. She later headed the cheerleading program at the former Holy Name High School, where she had the opportunity to coach her daughter, Chantelle, now 34. She now oversees the
Reading School District’s award-winning cheerleading program and serves as Head Cheerleading Coach. She also served as the Director of the Reading Youth Athletic League cheerleading program 2008-2022 for young girls. RHS cheerleaders are well known for volunteering in their community and giving back to several organizations as a part of their squad's dedication to making a
difference. She has also coached for the Berks All-Star game for the last five years.
In 2012, Gilmore-Harris held the first FREE RHS Alumni Cheer camp, which was open to all youth in Reading. More than 160 young girls attended. Her passion and dedication to give back to her community influenced her to offer a free camp to make sure everyone could be a part of the event. The camp also gave alumni she previously coached an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the young girls who look up to them.
In 2013, Gilmore-Harris was awarded the prestigious Girl Scout of Eastern Pa. Take the Lead Award, as well as Voices Honorary Coaches award and the M.A.N INC Herman "Basil"Fuller
Community Service Award. In October 2013, alongside the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pa., Gilmore- Harris started the first Girl Scout/Cheerleading Squad, which is known as "Sashes and Poms" Troop #1353.
In 2015, Gilmore-Harris received the Edith S. Key Guardian Angel Award from iCARE. This award is in honor of Mrs. Key, a matriarch of the 6th Ward/Reading who changed the lives of others to
become successful.
In 2016, one of her highlights was participating in Lunch with Lucille, where Annarose Milch interviewed her, for being an influential woman in her community. Later in 2016, Gilmore-Harris received the NAACP Community Service Award for her dedication to her community.
In 2018 and 2019, Gilmore-Harris sat on the panel for Junior League of Reading Girls empowerment program. Challenging her to face her fear of public speaking.
In 2019, Gilmore-Harris was instrumental in coordinating the first Lonnie Walker IV Free basketball camp. Gilmore-Harris was the lead person on his team in the City of Reading, pulling together a team of volunteers to make the first of many camps successful. She states this was one of her
greatest achievements. Gilmore-Harris has now been named Program Director for the Foundation. Recently she coordinated a Turkey Giveaway as well as a Toy drive in Reading Pa. and San Antonio Tx. She served as the program Director from 2019-2022.
In 2019 Gilmore Harris received the Sigma Societal Impact award, for starting her own support group for women who loss their soulmates. The group currently has five members and Gilmore Harris continues to welcome new members.
In 2020 during a trying time of a National Pandemic Crystal Gilmore Harris received the prestigious Women 2 Women Athena Award. The award is bestowed to a person who displays the highest level of dedication to developing women leaders and connecting women from diverse backgrounds.
Gilmore-Harris has served on the Board of Directors for Reading Youth Athletics League, Sisterhood of Reading, VoiceUp and Blacktop Basketball. She currently serves on the following committees: Philadelphia Black Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Girls Scouts of Eastern
Pennsylvania’s Take the Lead Committee. She believes if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem, so she has made it part of her mission to serve wherever she thinks will change the path of our youth’s future. She believes sometimes you need to create your own table and
assign the seats to make change.
Gilmore-Harris enjoys volunteering in her community, mentoring children, shopping for purses and a good pair of heels, and spending time with her 12-year-old granddaughter, Nyla, who is her pride and joy. Gilmore-Harris considers herself blessed and thanks her parents, Danny and Jessica Gilmore, her sisters, Collette Gilmore, Barbara Dancy and brother Danny Gilmore. She dedicates her ambition moving forward to make a difference to her soulmate Zane Major (passed away 1-12- 19), and her father Danny Gilmore Sr. (1-18-2021) who always supported her.
Workshop Speaker: Inspiring Journeys
