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Sun Gate Foundation

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Sun Gate Foundation

The Sun Gate Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that provides educational opportunities to survivors of human trafficking.

06/01/2026

KAY CHERNUSH (1944–2022)

Legacy Honoree

Sun Gate Foundation is proud to honor the legacy of Kay Chernush, pioneering photographer, human rights advocate, and founder of ArtWorks for Freedom.

For decades, Kay used the power of visual storytelling to illuminate the realities of human trafficking while elevating the dignity, resilience, and humanity of survivors. Through photography, exhibitions, and public engagement, she inspired countless individuals and organizations to confront injustice through empathy, education, and action.

Kay believed that art could reach hearts where statistics alone could not. Her vision continues to influence advocates, artists, educators, and communities around the world.

At the 2026 Keys to Freedom Gala, we celebrate Kay Chernush’s enduring legacy and her profound contribution to the movement for freedom, human dignity, and social change.

05/30/2026

We are honored to share that Sun Gate Foundation CEO, Shamere McKenzie, will serve as a panelist at a side event during the 35th Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) in Vienna, Austria.

Hosted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Organization of American States (OAS), this important discussion will explore:

Inclusion in Practice: Examining Survivor Participation in Anti-Trafficking Efforts Across the Americas

As a survivor leader, international advocate, and subject matter expert, Shamere will join fellow leaders from across the Americas to discuss meaningful survivor engagement and how lived experience can strengthen anti-trafficking policies, programs, and systems.

📅 June 1, 2026
🕥 10:30 AM–11:30 AM EDT (Eastern Time)
📍 Vienna International Centre, Room M6
💻 Hybrid Event (In-Person & Online)

Survivors are not just beneficiaries of change—they are architects of it. We look forward to contributing to this important global conversation on advancing survivor inclusion, leadership, and partnership in the fight against human trafficking.

OAS CCPCJ SurvivorInclusion EndHumanTrafficking LivedExperience GlobalLeadership

05/27/2026

For more than 10 years, David and Susan Swanson have faithfully supported the mission of Sun Gate Foundation as dedicated monthly donors. Their unwavering generosity, belief in survivor empowerment, and long-standing commitment have helped create educational opportunities and brighter futures for survivors of human trafficking.

Their consistent support is more than a donation, it is a lasting investment in hope, healing, leadership, and freedom.

05/26/2026

Freedom takes flight. ✈️🔑

Sun Gate Foundation Inc. is proud to partner with Signature Aviation in support of Keys to Freedom: A Journey to Liberation Through Education.

This partnership represents more than sponsorship, it represents a shared commitment to creating opportunities, restoring hope, and helping survivors of human trafficking access the educational pathways needed to rebuild and thrive.

Through Keys to Freedom, we continue working to provide scholarships, resources, advocacy, and support that empower survivors toward independence, healing, and a brighter future.

We are grateful to Signature Aviation for standing with us in this mission and helping us create lasting impact through education and opportunity.

Together, we are opening doors to freedom.

CreatingImpact FreedomTakesFlight

05/25/2026

Prof. Sax and Liberation Band was formed in honor of Sun Gate Foundation’s Keys to Freedom Gala: Liberation Through Education—a special evening dedicated to hope, healing, and the fight against human trafficking. Though each artist brings decades of individual excellence and accomplishment, this newly united collaboration represents something deeper than music alone.

Featuring renowned musicians Mark Tatum, Jesse O. Blanks, Toussaint Sena, and Noble Jolley, the band was brought together by a shared belief in the power of community, culture, education, and purpose-driven artistry. As Black male musicians, mentors, educators, and leaders, each member recognizes the importance of standing in solidarity with survivors and using their gifts to uplift voices that too often go unheard.

Together, Prof. Sax and Liberation Band blends jazz, gospel, soul, rhythm, and improvisation into an atmosphere of elegance, healing, and celebration. Their performance is more than entertainment—it is a tribute to resilience, liberation, and the transformative power of music to inspire change.

United for one unforgettable night, the band proudly supports Sun Gate Foundation’s mission to empower communities through education, awareness, and advocacy.

05/22/2026

Sun Gate Foundation is incredibly proud to celebrate two outstanding Sun Gate Scholars who have reached extraordinary milestones in their educational journeys, proving that resilience, determination, and opportunity can unlock limitless possibilities.

First, we proudly congratulate Wade Arvizu, a former Sun Gate Scholar who later joined our Board of Directors, on earning his Bachelor of Arts in Philanthropic Leadership. Wade continues to lead with purpose, passion, and a heart for service, inspiring others through both his education and leadership.

We also celebrate the remarkable achievement of Dr. Jessa Crisp, PhD, LPC, NCC, another distinguished Sun Gate Scholar, who earned her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision. Dr. Crisp’s accomplishment is a powerful testament to perseverance, healing, and the impact survivor leaders can have in transforming lives and communities.

At Sun Gate Foundation, we believe education is more than a degree, it is a key to freedom, empowerment, and generational change. Today, we honor Wade and Dr. Crisp for turning their dreams into reality and for showing the world what is possible when survivors are supported, believed in, and empowered to thrive.

Congratulations to you both, your Sun Gate family is cheering you on every step of the way!

05/21/2026

We are honored to welcome Joann Whang as the featured musical performer for this year’s Sun Gate Foundation Keys to Freedom Gala. ✨🎻

Joann Whang is an award-winning cellist and contemporary music artist, recognized as First and Audience Prize winner at the Amsterdam Cello Biennale Competition. As a founding member of the internationally acclaimed Argus Quartet, she also earned First Prize at the M-Prize Chamber Arts Competition and the Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition, performing at venues including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center as well as major festivals throughout Europe and North America.

Joann studied at the Colburn Conservatory with Ronald Leonard, earned graduate degrees at the Yale School of Music under Aldo Parisot, and continued advanced studies at the Royal Conservatorium of The Hague with Michel Strauss and Jan-Ype Nota. A Fulbright Grant recipient, she has collaborated with leading contemporary composers and artists and has taught at institutions including Juilliard and Yale.

05/20/2026

Our CEO, Shamere McKenzie, had the incredible honor of presenting for the 5th time at the 21st Annual Conference on Crimes Against Women in Dallas, Texas.

Her 8:00 AM session was filled with passionate attendees eager to learn more about the role of the “Bottom Girl” within trafficking operations and the critical need for trauma-informed, survivor-centered responses.

We are deeply grateful to the Conference on Crimes Against Women for once again providing a platform to educate, empower, and inspire professionals from across the country who are committed to protecting and serving survivors.

Every opportunity to share knowledge is an opportunity to create change. Thank you for continuing to believe in the power of survivor leadership, lived experience, and courageous conversations that move this work forward.

EndHumanTrafficking

05/19/2026

We are proud to recognize the American Association of Airport Executives as a sponsor of Keys to Freedom: A Journey to Liberation Through Education. ✈️🔑

As one of the world’s leading organizations representing airport professionals and aviation leadership, AAAE is committed to fostering innovation, collaboration, excellence, and community throughout the aviation industry. Their dedication to leadership and creating opportunities aligns powerfully with the mission of Sun Gate Foundation Inc..

Through partnerships like this, we are able to continue expanding educational pathways, empowering survivors, and creating lasting impact through liberation and opportunity.

Thank you, AAAE, for helping us move the mission forward.

CreatingImpact

05/18/2026

We are honored to welcome Dr. Minh Watson-Dang, MSW, PhD as a featured honoree for this year’s Sun Gate Foundation Keys to Freedom Gala. ✨

Dr. Minh Dang is an internationally recognized survivor leader, scholar, and advocate dedicated to empowering survivors of slavery and human trafficking through education, research, leadership, and community impact.

She is the Founder and Principal of Nghe Coaching and Consulting, providing career coaching for purpose-driven leaders and organizational development support for organizations seeking meaningful culture change. She also serves as a Research Fellow and Lead in Survivor Wellbeing and Scholarship at the University of Nottingham’s Rights Lab.

Most recently, she served as the Founder and Executive Director of Survivor Alliance, an international nonprofit organization with a mission to unite and empower survivors of slavery and human trafficking around the world.

A proud two-time alumna of the University of California, Berkeley, Dr. Dang earned her degrees in Sociology and Social Welfare before later earning her Ph.D. in Politics and Contemporary History, focusing her research on the wellbeing of survivors of slavery and human trafficking.

Join us on June 13, 2026, as we come together for an evening centered on hope, healing, empowerment, and the journey toward liberation through education. 🗝️✨

Address

Alexandria, VA
22304

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	9am - 5pm
Sunday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15714031495

Website

http://www.sun-gate.org/

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