Julius Gibbons, is a junior, social work major from Orlando, Florida. He is a down to earth guy who goes to church and volunteers in the Atlanta community.A member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated, Collegiate 100, and a few other organizations on campus, he is truly a trail blazer at Clark Atlanta University. Her Campus caught up with Julius to talk, about the past, present, and future!
Her Campus: Who would you say Julius Gibbons is in just a few words?
Julius: I am confident, funny, very ambitious, and a leader.
Her Campus: What are some of your favorite hobbies?
Julius: I like to write poetry, hangout with friends, shop, and go to church. Since I’m in a fraternity now, I like to stroll too.
HC: What is something that people would be surprised to know about you?
JG: I used to sing in the choir. I used to be a pretty good singer, even though it doesn’t sound like it now.
HC: So, I know your a social work major. What inspired that major choice?
JG: Well, I came to Clark as a fashion major first and I’m also in ROTC. I didn’t feel like fashion tied into being in ROTC well at all. I changed my major to social work because back in Orlando, my senior year, my homeboy committed suicide. So I knew being that person to help better somebody, instead of them committing suicide would be a great feeling.
HC: You kind of touched on this in your last answer, but being that social work is your major, what specific issues would you like to focus on in that field?
JG: Right now, being in the army, I want to do military social work. I also feel like I could go beyond that, though, so clinical social work, going into school systems, and definitely homelessness.
HC: I’ve seen that you do plenty of volunteer work in the community. Is there one volunteer experience that has humbled or greatly impacted you?
JG: Yes! Recently, I volunteered at the Peachtree Pine Street homeless shelter that actually just closed down. It humbled me because people did things like sandwich runs, and volunteered every single Saturday. If they ever needed anyone I was there and I met a lot of people from inside and outside the country.
HC: What are you passionate about?
JG: I’m passionate about helping people. Just like I said before, I want to be that person that people can call when they need anything.
HC: How has being at an HBCU, specifically Clark Atlanta University, shaped you as a person?
JG: It’s definitely shaped me. Just being a black man, I feel like the country always portrays us in this image. I want us to get out of that image. I want to go into the school systems to shape the kids because they’re our future. When I first came to Clark, I wasn’t interested in doing those things, but Clark has broadened up my mind.
HC: Being that you’re here at college and far away from home, how do you stay grounded?
JG: I go to church. My reverend, Pastor Norris, is someone I can talk to about anything. My dad was in the military, so I wouldn’t say I was sheltered, but the things I did in high school made me into the man I am today. So, I just keep myself on that path.
HC: You’re a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated. What have you gained from that experience?
JG: I gained confidence. I was already confident before, but I gained more confidence. I gained rhythm, from dancing, because I never had rhythm before. I gained seven more brothers, big brothers, and a whole family including my sister sorority Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated.
HC: Where do you see yourself five years from now?
JG: I see myself being an officer in the army as soon as I graduate. I also plan on attending graduate school at Clark Atlanta University. I’ll either get my master’s or doctorate in social work depending on where the army takes me.
HC: What impact would you like to leave on the world?
JG: I just want to leave the world a better place to be honest. All kinds of crazy stuff is going on, wars and things of that nature. So, I think I would like to bring world peace.
HC: Do you have any last words for our readers?
JG: To everyone reading, whatever you do, just keep on grinding. Graduate and don’t give up!