Life & Work with Krista Durant of Metro Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Krista Durant.

Hi Krista , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey started long before I ever imagined becoming a founder or community advocate. It began through lived experience — navigating housing instability, witnessing inequities firsthand, and realizing that too many families, especially in underserved communities, were being left without the knowledge or resources to change their financial trajectory.

For years, I served in spaces centered on youth and family engagement, equity in education, and community organizing. But over time, I began to see a pattern — people weren’t lacking motivation, they were lacking access. Access to information, to advocacy, and to opportunities that could help them build stability.

That realization birthed STAPLE The Community, LLC — an organization grounded in Strengthening Trust through Advocacy, Partnerships, Learning, and Empowerment. I wanted to create something that didn’t just provide services, but built trust between communities and the systems that serve them. Through programs focused on financial literacy, advocacy training, and community partnerships, I’ve been able to turn personal pain into purpose, helping others break cycles of financial struggle and dependency.

Today, I stand not just as a CEO, but as someone who’s lived the very challenges I work to solve. Every workshop, every advocacy effort, and every collaboration is rooted in my belief that lasting change starts when we empower people with both the knowledge and confidence to advocate for themselves and their families.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road — but every challenge has shaped the heart of my mission. One of the biggest obstacles I’ve faced has been turning adversity into advocacy. I’ve personally experienced housing instability and unsafe living conditions, which led me to organize residents, gather petitions, and work directly with city officials and state agencies to hold property owners accountable. That experience taught me that advocacy isn’t just about speaking up — it’s about standing firm even when systems aren’t built to hear you.

As a community leader, I’ve also faced the challenge of earning trust — showing up consistently in spaces where people have been let down before. It takes time to rebuild that faith and help individuals believe that financial education and advocacy can create change.

From starting with limited resources to balancing multiple roles — as a mother, a business owner, and an advocate — there were moments that tested my strength and faith. But those same moments reminded me why I started. Every barrier I faced became a blueprint for someone else’s breakthrough. Today, I use those lessons to show others that obstacles don’t have to stop you — they can redirect you toward your purpose.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At the heart of my work is empowerment. Through STAPLE The Community, LLC, I specialize in financial literacy education, advocacy training, and community partnership development — all aimed at helping individuals and families build financial confidence and stability. My approach goes beyond teaching numbers; it’s about transforming mindsets and restoring hope in communities that have often been overlooked.

I’m most proud of how personal this work is. Every program I’ve built — from youth financial literacy to parent advocacy trainings — is rooted in lived experience. I’ve been the parent searching for answers, the resident fighting for fair housing, and the community member trying to make sense of complex systems. That’s why when I teach, I speak from a place of understanding, not judgment.

What sets me apart is my ability to bridge trust. I meet people where they are — whether that’s a classroom, a community meeting, or a living room — and help them see that financial literacy and advocacy are not out of reach. I’m known for making the information relatable and for inspiring people to believe that they can take control of their financial future.

Ultimately, what I do is about more than business — it’s ministry, it’s purpose, and it’s community transformation.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
Absolutely — none of this has been done alone. I truly believe that community builds community, and I’m grateful for every person who has poured into me along the way.

First and foremost, I have to give credit to God, because faith has guided every step of this journey. There were moments when doors closed or resources seemed out of reach, but I kept being reminded that what’s meant for me can’t miss me.

Professionally, I’ve been blessed with incredible mentors and supporters who believed in both me and my mission — like Amber McCorkle, who has modeled true leadership and continues to pour into others with humility and grace. She has taught me the importance of presence and purpose in every role I take on.

I also want to acknowledge the Clarkston Community Center team, who not only gave me a platform to serve but trusted my vision for advocacy and financial literacy programming. The families, parents, and youth I’ve worked with have also been some of my greatest teachers — their resilience and honesty fuel my commitment to this work.

And of course, my family and close friends — especially my partner, my children, and my faith community — they’ve been my constant cheerleaders, grounding me when I feel stretched and reminding me why this mission matters.

It’s taken a village to get here, and every supporter — from mentors to clients to community members — has played a role in helping STAPLE The Community grow from an idea into a movement.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://share.google/syuFq0rCYvKGukxm3
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19t8ERcu7B/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Other: https://forms.gle/LpqBhbdPMEaXDhHG8