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exalt's 20th Anniversary Gala (2026):
"Innovating for Impact"

Our June 9th event at Gotham Hall was uniquely powerful because it was led by exaltgraduates.Together, they reflected the very principle on which exalt was built: when you elevate expectations for young people, they rise to meet them. From the opening moments of the program, our alumni showed us what twenty years of investment in young people can achieve. 

Guests heard from alumni who are leading in finance and technology, pursuing graduate education and research, advancing maternal health, launching businesses, working in public service, and advocating for their communities:

• Daquan Nicholson's career has included roles at Google, Hall Capital Partners, and JP Morgan Chase, and he is now pursuing entrepreneurial ventures of his own.

• Denice Ocaña was the first person in her family to graduate from college, and is now pursuing a master's degree in psychological research and preparing for doctoral study.

• Brittany Cameron is a mother, entrepreneur, doula, and future midwife who is advancing maternal health and supporting families throughout New York City.

• The Gala’s inspiring emcee was Princess Kelly, an exalt graduate, college graduate, employee of the New York City Administration for Children's Services, and aspiring attorney, who reminded us that a young person's present circumstances do not determine their future.

This lineup of successful exalt graduates was a powerful reminder of what happens when a community comes together around the belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive.

Angelique, one of our 2026 scholarship recipients, shared a moving conversation with Dr. Meisha Porter, Judge Bruna DiBiase, and Gala Chair Stasha Santifort about the power of education, meaningful employment, second chances, and the adults who choose to believe in young people.

We were honored to host Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, who presented an award honoring exalt's work, as well as Dr. Helen Arteaga Landaverde, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, who spoke about the importance of investing in young people and communities.

Our 2026 Gala video, “exalt: 20 Years of Impact” is a4-minute overview of the organization’s responsibility to prepare young people for the future.

Video coming soon.