Local Teen Bridges Generations and Oceans

Brooke Gates with students in Liberia

18‑Year‑Old Brooke Gates empowers students in Africa through scholarships and service. At just 18 years old, Northmont High School graduate Brooke Gates is proving that youth, compassion, and initiative can ripple across continents. Inspired by a simple question from a Liberian schoolgirl, Gates founded the Brooke Gates Project, a grassroots effort that’s already awarded scholarships to more than 50 students in Liberia—and she’s just getting started.

Last summer, Gates visited Liberia for the first time. During a school tour, a student quietly asked, “Brooke, will you help me with scholarships?” Her heartfelt “yes” sparked what is now a growing nonprofit effort. “At that moment, I didn’t know how I was going to fulfill my promise,” Gates reflected . Yet, through diligence and faith, she’s making that promise a reality.

Building this impact hasn’t been easy. Gates has personally contributed funds from her job bagging groceries at Kroger—and rallied family, friends, and community members to donate. “I’m putting my money toward something useful. It’s going to help others…more than just something material and temporary,” she explained.

In addition to scholarships, Gates and volunteers helped build a bathroom at a Liberian church—transforming an outdoor latrine into a fully functioning restroom. For many Liberian students, even basic necessities like these are out of reach. “Some things we take for granted…simple things [over there] might be unattainable for them,” she shared.

On her most recent trip, Gates had the honor of visiting the President of Liberia—and presenting him with a painting she created, along with gifts for his wife. “Never met a president before,” she marveled.

Despite this recognition, Gates knows the work is far from over. “To help the over 50 students that we’re supporting right now, to keep going until they graduate. That’s the goal,” she affirmed.

A Call to Community Action - The Brooke Gates Project is more than a charity; it’s a bridge. It connects Daytonians - especially young African American changemakers - to students across the globe whose educational futures depend on generosity and outreach.

Gates invites local residents and businesses to join her journey. Whether through donations, fundraising events, or simply amplifying the cause, the community can help ensure these students finish school and reach their full potential.

By telling this story in our paper, we spotlight not only the powerful impact a young Black woman from our region is making but also the global connections rooted in empathy and service. It’s a proud reminder that education, hope, and leadership transcend borders.

Let’s continue supporting Brooke and the students whose lives she’s transforming—proof positive that one person’s determination can uplift an entire generation, both here and abroad. 

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The Brooke Gates Project helps support international humanitarian projects. For more information on the project or to support Brooke’s effforts, visit https://linktr.ee/thebrookegatesproject.