Case Study: Gospel Soul Children of New York (GSC-NY)

🔗 Coming Soon.
Timeline: July 1st 2025 – June 30th 2026
Project Type: Nonprofit Start-up, Brand Development & Strategy, Community Art
Services: Business Management, Creative Marketing, Project Planning
Clients/Partners: Dr. Derek A. Roberts, Gospel Soul Children of New York (GSC-NY), Soul Tabernacle City of Refuge
Producer: Victoria Velazquez

Overview & Objective

For over two decades, Gospel Soul Children of New York and Soul Tabernacle City of Refuge have been spiritual and cultural anchors in the South Bronx. Under the leadership of Bishop Dr. Derek A. Roberts, these institutions have united generations through gospel music, mentorship, and community service.

With the physical building in need of revitalization and the choir seeking long-term sustainability, VPM is leading a visibility and development campaign to reintroduce GSC-NY as a vital cultural force. This year’s primary focus is to build awareness of the choir’s brand as a hub for youth empowerment, senior engagement, and cultural preservation rooted in traditional gospel music.

The long-term vision is to transform Soul Tabernacle into a fully realized community arts and cultural center—serving as a creative placemaking site where music education, heritage programming, and intergenerational care coexist year-round.

Strategy & Execution

Brand Strategy & Community-Building

VPM is positioning Gospel Soul Children of New York as more than a choir—it is a living archive of Black gospel heritage, intergenerational care, and cultural pride. The brand development strategy emphasizes storytelling, visibility, and community relevance. Through curated performances, branded public events, and compelling digital content, GSC-NY is being reintroduced as both a spiritual and artistic anchor in the Bronx. Particular focus is placed on capturing and sharing the stories of alumni and senior choir members, highlighting gospel music’s role as a cultural bridge between generations. By situating GSC-NY within the American folk and traditional arts landscape, the organization reinforces its role as a preserver of cultural memory while also inviting contemporary relevance. This approach to branding strengthens both public recognition and institutional identity, ensuring GSC-NY is celebrated not only for its music but for its deeper community impact.

Fundraising & Budgeting

To sustain its vision and operations, VPM is building a layered fundraising and financial development strategy that prioritizes both immediate needs and long-term investment. The funding model includes pursuing local, state, and federal arts and cultural grants, activating faith-based giving networks, and launching a targeted donor campaign grounded in the importance of cultural preservation. Recognizing the importance of physical space, VPM is laying the groundwork for a major capital campaign to revitalize Soul Tabernacle and transform it into a permanent home for creative placemaking in the Bronx. Additional income streams are being developed through membership dues, alumni engagement, and community fundraising events. These combined efforts aim to build a financially resilient institution capable of growing its impact year over year.

Strategic Partnerships & Institutional Leverage

Strategic partnerships are essential to expanding GSC-NY’s visibility, capacity, and cultural reach. Through outreach and relationship-building, the organization is deepening ties with church communities across New York City and extending its network to culturally aligned institutions in cities like Chicago and New Orleans. Locally, GSC-NY is partnering with Bronx-based nonprofits, community agencies, and city cultural programs to embed itself within the regional creative ecosystem. These partnerships help legitimize and elevate GSC-NY’s work, while also fostering opportunities for performance, education, and shared programming. In tandem, collaborations with national folk and gospel arts presenters help position GSC-NY within a broader arts landscape that values tradition, heritage, and community-based storytelling. This web of institutional support allows GSC-NY to leverage its credibility and history into new opportunities that affirm its role as a cultural anchor.