Elegant evening at ECSU celebrates impact, unity, and opportunity for local youth.
ELIZABETH CITY — An evening defined by elegance, inspiration, and community pride unfolded on Saturday, April 4, as Gates County Community Partnership (GCCP) hosted its highly anticipated Charity Gala at the K. E. White Center on the campus of Elizabeth City State University.
With a black-tie atmosphere and a mission-driven purpose, the event brought together community leaders, educators, supporters, and residents from across Northeastern North Carolina to celebrate the organization’s impact and rally support for its continued work in youth development and education.
Founded in 2018, GCCP has become a cornerstone of opportunity in Gates County, providing programs and resources at no cost to the community, guided by its belief that equitable access should be guaranteed for all. Saturday’s gala served as both a celebration and a call to action.
“This evening was about more than just recognizing what has been accomplished, it was about bringing people together to invest in what is still possible,” said Dr. Chante Jordan, President of Gates County Community Partnership. “We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support from our community. It is a privilege to serve Gates County, and this event affirmed that when we come together with a shared purpose, there is no limit to what we can achieve for our youth.”
The event also highlighted GCCP’s deep roots in community collaboration. Since its inception, the organization has worked alongside Gates County Schools to expand educational opportunities. Its initiatives have included securing major grants, awarding numerous scholarships, providing laptops to students, supporting youth athletics, and collaborating on youth development programs, such as the Saunders Science Scholars STEM initiative, under the leadership of the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and UNC’s Dr. Crystal Harden.
A key architect behind the evening’s success was Sandra Jordan Branch, GCCP Board Member and lead planner of the gala, whose vision helped bring the event to life.
“This gala was truly a labor of love,” said Jordan Branch. “We wanted to create an experience that not only celebrated our work but also made our community feel valued and inspired. We are so thankful for everyone who showed up, supported, and believed in what we’re doing. It is an honor to serve this community, and seeing everyone come together in such a powerful way was incredibly meaningful.”
A highlight of the evening was the keynote address delivered by Brigadier General Terrence Adams, Deputy Principal Cyber Advisor to the Secretary of War and Senior Military Advisor for Cyber Policy. His message of leadership, resilience, and perspective resonated deeply with attendees.
Central Middle School Principal Rosalind Rosa described the evening as both impactful and thought-provoking.
“Attending the GCCP Gala was a wonderful experience,” Rosa said. “It was a pleasure to hear Brigadier General Terrence Adams address the community; his message was encouraging, inspiring, and uplifting. One takeaway that resonated with me was the idea that there can be two sides that are both right at the same time, and that being right often comes with a cost. It challenges us to ask ourselves if we are willing to accept the cost that comes with being right?”
“He also encouraged us to step outside our comfort zones, connect with new people, plant seeds in others, listen more, and remember that we have more in common than we often realize. It was an elegant affair!”
The gala’s theme, “Opening Doors, Expanding Horizons,” reflected GCCP’s mission to inspire and increase community engagement in support of youth educational and social development, a mission rooted in its origin story and its partnership with the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, which sparked the organization’s founding.
As the evening concluded, one message was clear; Gates County Community Partnership is not only making a difference, it is building momentum!