Sam Gibbs Unification Honoree

Sam Gibbs in uniting Gen Z through stories that matter

Fixing what’s broken

Since she was young, Sam Gibbs has always wanted to use her voice to fix what’s broken in the world. Her mother immigrated from South Africa when she was only ten and Sam learned about racism and inequality issues from her experience. “I think hearing those stories allowed me to recognize these things in my own life and work to stop them,” Sam recalled. “I have always been a people person, and helping others brings me immense joy.”

“I have always been a people person, and helping others brings me immense joy.”

While in school, Sam took a class focused on using design as a tool for social change. Sam said that taking the course alongside so many powerful and inspiring women showed her the power of her voice. She and her classmates ended up making a magazine focused on Gen Z as a project. “We loved the process so much we decided to make the publication a real thing, and it has grown so much from there,” she said.

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The power of words

Sam is the co-founder and Arts & Culture editor of GEN-ZiNE. She helps to curate stories about art and culture relevant to Generation Z. The goal of GEN-ZiNE is to stimulate conversations about topics that are usually ignored and to educate peers to have a better educated and more inclusive world. “Being educated and informed is, to me, so important and what leads us to be able to enact real change,” she said. “I am driven by my desire to help others and to help make the world a better place.”

“Words are so powerful when used in the right way, and GEN-ZiNE gives people the power and place to use their words for good."

As an exceptional Gen Z’er using her voice for good, Sam was honored for her commitment to Unification through The ConversationaLIST. “I am extremely passionate specifically about art, culture, and music, but writing has always been something I love to do,” she said. “Words are so powerful when used in the right way, and GEN-ZiNE gives people the power and place to use their words for good.”

Sam said that Gen Z’ers looking to find their voice don’t need to wait for an epiphany. “It will come after long periods reflecting, trying new things, and figuring out what your passions are,” she said. 

Sam is preparing to graduate college and look for jobs in the coming months. “I hope in 5 years I will be on my way to conquering the music industry and also continuing to help GEN-ZiNE grow,” she said.

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Strength, calm and resolve

Sam resonates with The Conversationalist’s mission because of its similarities to GEN-ZiNE. “We all want to amplify our generation's voice to rip apart societal norms, taboos, and whatever is holding you back,” she said. 

For Sam, a unified world prioritizes all people’s well-being and ensures equality between its people. “I think we can continue to push ourselves to have difficult conversations, but also continue calling out elected officials, people in power positions until we can finally lead,” she said.

“Difficult conversations are only won with strength, calm, and resolve.”

To break open her echo chamber, Sam tries to encourage self-reflection around privilege and have open and honest conversations. She tries to approach tough conversations from an educational standpoint as opposed to turning them into a fight. “Difficult conversations are only won with strength, calm, and resolve,” she said.

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We’ll be rooting for Sam Gibbs as she works to tell stories that matter. Keep up with her on Instagram and follow GEN-ZiNE to learn more about her work.

Come hang out with Sam and all of our LIST honorees! Join us in Geneva and follow The Conversationalist on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok to stay up to date with all of our future events.