Black Gen Zers Thriving, Shaping Meaningful Futures

A partnership between Gallup and the Walton Family Foundation reveals a trend among Black Gen Zers: 55% report that they are actively “thriving.” When combining their current satisfaction with a hopeful outlook for the next five years, this generation is redefining what it means to embrace life with resilience and ambition.

“Everything excites me about my future,” says Destiny Smith, 17, a high school senior in Oklahoma studying developmental psychology as part of a dual-enrollment program with a local state college.

The Gallup survey found that Black Gen Zers are 21 percentage points more likely than their peers to see having their dream job as the cornerstone of a great life. Smith is making strides in achieving hers. At the end of the school year, she will graduate with both her associate’s degree and high school diploma. 

In her program, Destiny studied the effects of screen time on children and adolescents. The topic interests her because, “I come from a big family, and I’m watching my nieces grow up. I’m learning that screen time can affect a child’s development by miles.”

Her desire to help children is fueling her plans for the future. After high school, Destiny plans to earn her Bachelor’s degree and then apply to medical school.

“I want to be a psychiatrist, maybe even a child psychiatrist,” she says. Smith’s optimism embodies a trend from a recent Gallup survey showing that the majority of Black middle and high school students are looking to their futures with a sense of enthusiasm. Six in 10 Black students believe their schools provide opportunities to excel, compared to just 44% of their peers.

Jaleel Moore, 13, an eighth grader in Illinois, sees possibilities in his knack for numbers.

Combining fun learning opportunities and meaningful connections to educators positively impacts students’ futures: Three-quarters of Black students say an adult at school encourages them to pursue their dreams.

“Math is my favorite subject because it has always been the easiest for me to understand,” he says. Jaleel credits his math teachers engaging students with real-world problem solving and even bringing in clay models to help kids visualize geometry concepts.

For Gen Z, a future where optimism and opportunity are met with supportive educators and tailored opportunities can pave the way for lasting success.

By understanding these unique experiences, the education system not only meets but nurtures the potential of every student.