Christopher Gates

Renowned for his ability to elevate youth voices and champion civic engagement, Gates has developed pioneering teaching models and experiential programs that enrich traditional learning. An award-winning children’s book author, Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200), and certified Social + Emotional Intelligence Coach, Gates is also credentialed in School Leadership for Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Character Development, and School Culture and Climate. His multifaceted approach to youth development equips young people to be resilient, engaged citizens prepared to lead and drive change.

Gates’ leadership spans high-impact community roles, including Chair of the Florida Senate Education and Civic Engagement Task Force (District 38), member of the Broward County Public Schools Black Male Task Force, and his advocacy work as a Guardian ad Litem for the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit. His influence also extends through his work on the Holy Cross Hospital Community Needs Assessment Team, Broward Health Kinship Cares Advisory Board, and as a founding member of the Black Child Development Institute in Fort Lauderdale.

His environmental contributions are equally impactful. As an environmental steward, Gates founded the Bringing Environmentally Sound Transformations (BEST) initiative, an 11-month conservation project focused on protecting habitats and ecosystems. Through BEST, students became active conservationists, restoring beaches and natural habitats in Florida. This impactful program has garnered awards, including the Wells Fargo STEM Grant and the ING Unsung Heroes Award. Gates also launched the STEM-GHC (Germination, Hydration, Cultivation) Learning Lab, a nationally recognized environmental education hub where youth explore sustainable technologies and hands-on applications in engineering, chemistry, and botany. Recognized as a national finalist in the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, this project underscored Gates’ commitment to environmental education and action in the next generation.

Beyond his work in education and advocacy, Gates is especially dedicated to addressing homelessness, spearheading the Kids for Jeans campaign, which secured hundreds of pairs of jeans distributed to homeless shelters to support transient and homeless populations. His outreach also includes his role as Miami Chapter Leader for Rescuing Leftover Cuisine, a national nonprofit food rescue organization. Through this initiative, Gates coordinates the rescue and redistribution of surplus food, delivering it to homeless shelters, food pantries, and nonprofit organizations that support individuals facing food insecurity. His work bridges the gap between surplus resources and the urgent needs of those experiencing homelessness, ensuring vital access to both clothing and nutritious meals.

In artistry and expression, Gates is a passionate artist and photographer, channeling his creative talents into community service. As a volunteer with Pablove Shutterbugs, he helped children and teens with cancer find self-expression through photography. His enthusiasm for the arts extends to ceramics and mixed media, where he continues to inspire creativity in the communities he serves.

Graduating in the top 5% of his college class with summa cum laude honors and membership in the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society, Gates has consistently demonstrated academic excellence and a commitment to lifelong learning. His ability to connect with diverse communities, foster youth empowerment, and drive impactful change makes him a forward-thinking leader dedicated to creating a better future for Florida and beyond.