At just 24, Epaphras Gibbs has delivered a major victory for Haiti by winning the “Best Negotiator” award at the Best Diplomats International Youth Leadership Conference in October. His achievement is more than a personal triumph—it’s a symbol of hope, talent, and a new chapter for Haiti’s youth stepping confidently onto the world stage.
From Carrefour to Global Forum
Gibbs was born and raised in Carrefour, Haiti, a municipality marked by resilience and resourcefulness. Navigating a complex socio-political environment from a young age, he developed a sense early on that communication, leadership and advocacy could be the tools to drive change. To that end, he studied communication and journalism, honing his skills in public speaking and strategic messaging.
He further sharpened his profile through leadership training at organizations such as Toastmasters International, the Institut Français d’Haïti and the Académie Nationale Diplomatique et Consulaire, an investment in his capacity to navigate international arenas and diplomatic discourse.
A Rapid Rise in the U.S.
In March 2024, Gibbs relocated to the United States under the humanitarian parole program. Settling in Washington, D.C., he quickly assumed a consultant role at the U.S. Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights, focusing on human rights, civic education and inclusive diplomacy. His story became one of crossing borders, not just physical ones, but professional and cultural.
In October 2025, at the Best Diplomats International Youth Leadership Conference (October 13–16, Newark, New Jersey) which gathers emerging leaders from over 50 countries, Gibbs distinguished himself by winning the “Best Negotiator” award. As Haiti’s Country Representative, the youngest ever appointed, he led his delegation in high-stakes diplomatic simulations, articulating Haiti’s voice on governance and sustainable development.
For Haitians at home and abroad, Gibbs’s accomplishment resonates deeply. It signals that from Carrefour to global forums, young Haitian voices can stand confidently among their peers from around the world. His win isn’t just a personal milestone, it’s a symbolic reaffirmation that Haiti’s next generation has what it takes to engage, negotiate and lead.
The online reaction has echoed that sentiment. Social media posts celebrated his achievement and framed it as a moment of collective national pride.
What Lies Ahead
Gibbs’s journey illustrates how leadership is built, not overnight, but through preparation, opportunity and perseverance. With his skills in communication, diplomacy and advocacy, he is poised to bring further attention to issues that touch Haiti: civic engagement, diaspora connections, human rights and development.
For Haiti, the real significance of his achievement might lie not only in the award itself, but in the door it opens for others. It invites young Haitians to see themselves at negotiation tables, leadership panels and global platforms—no longer as spectators, but as actors.
A Turning Point
Epaphras Gibbs’s story is more than a success narrative, it is a turning point. It shows what’s possible when ambition meets opportunity, when a young Haitian steps into the global arena and claims his space. And for Haiti, it affirms the promise of tomorrow, delivered in the clear voice of its youth.
In celebrating Gibbs, Haitians everywhere are not just applauding one individual, they are spotlighting a vision of what the country can become: connected, competent, represented. And in that vision, the world has taken notice.
