exalt's 20th Anniversary Gala: Innovating for Impact
Our June 9th event at Gotham Hall was more than a celebration. It was a powerful reminder of what happens when a community comes together around the belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive.
The evening was uniquely powerful because it was led by exalt graduates.
From the opening moments of the program, our alumni demonstrated what twenty years of investment in young people can achieve. Together, they reflected the very principle on which exalt was built: when you elevate expectations for young people, they rise to meet them.
At exalt, we have always believed in a model that is rigorous, disciplined, and demanding—while remaining centered on limitless possibility. Last night, our graduates demonstrated exactly what that means.
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.
We heard from Daquan Nicholson, whose career has included roles at Google, Hall Capital Partners, and JP Morgan Chase and who is now pursuing entrepreneurial ventures of his own.
We heard from Denice Ocaña, the first person in her family to graduate from college, who is now pursuing a master's degree in psychological research and preparing for doctoral study.
We heard from Brittany Cameron, a mother, entrepreneur, doula, and future midwife who is advancing maternal health and supporting families throughout New York City.
And we were inspired by our emcee, 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.
The evening continued with a moving conversation featuring Angelique, one of our 2026 scholarship recipients, alongside Dr. Meisha Porter, Judge Bruna DiBiase, and Gala Chair Stasha Santifort. Together, they brought to life the power of education, meaningful employment, second chances, and the adults who choose to believe in young people.
We were honored to welcome Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, who presented an award recognizing exalt's work, and Dr. Helen Arteaga Landaverde, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, whose remarks reinforced the importance of investing in young people and communities.
Most importantly, we celebrated the thousands of young people whose lives have been transformed through exalt over the past twenty years and the community of supporters who have made that impact possible.
As we look ahead, exalt remains committed to:
Expanding opportunities for young people across New York City
Growing exalt Syracuse and our statewide impact
Advancing the exalt Institute to share proven practices with the field
Securing a permanent Manhattan home that reflects the promise and potential of our young people
For those who were unable to attend—or for anyone inspired by the stories shared throughout the evening—we invite you to continue supporting exalt's next chapter.
Twenty years ago, exalt was founded on a belief.
That belief became a model.
From that model, we are building a movement.
Thank you for helping make the last twenty years possible—and for helping build the next twenty.
See photos and video at https://www.exaltyouth.org/exalt-2026-gala
