Change Makers: design activism and creative entrepreneurship with Gyor Moore

This week we’re highlighting Gyor Moore, a The Social Hub Ambassador who you may recognise from his many appearances on our feed. But, Gyor is busy with way more than just us these days — juggling his work as a creative entrepreneur for brands like Netflix and the Dutch National Police, he helps organisations become more diverse and inclusive with their brand and messaging. On top of that, Gyor also works as a design activist through his fashion brand SOBKOLT, and queer music video streaming platform, Pride Radio. 

While today Gyor has created a name and business that now precedes him, we were actually introduced quite serendipitously. 

"So years ago, I met this guy online, while we were both traveling through Asia, bonding over the fact that we were traveling, but also the fact that we were both gay and in the closet." Gyor told us. "Fast forward ten years, he had actually moved to Rotterdam, and we reconnected. He was working at The Social Hub and he was explaining the concept to me, telling me about a new art installation, and I was just very intrigued by this concept for students and travellers and co-workers."

And in what Gyor says is a theme in his life, he believes he just happened to be at the right place at the right time. "My friend had introduced me to more people at The Social Hub, and soon after they asked me to be an ambassador. It was just a great fit," Gyor admitted. "I think we have a lot in common with our aspirations to be bigger and better and expand internationally.”  

But if you ask us, Gyor isn’t just lucky, but a man who makes his own luck. Always driven and open to new opportunities, Gyor isn’t afraid to try something new or make mistakes, instead turning his passions and curiosities into both successful and impactful businesses.  

Did you always know that you wanted to find a way to intersect your identity as a black and queer person with your work? 

"It’s definitely something that evolved. I was working for another company, and I was very much trying to conform to them. And it wasn’t until five years ago when I quit that job — because I felt like I didn’t fit in — that I thought maybe this industry isn’t for me.  But, of course, that wasn’t the case.

And so when I quit, I basically just posted online that I was going to go freelance and work with companies that support queerness and anti-racism, because I just felt like the companies I worked with did not make that a priority, or even talk about them, or have any opinion at all about those matters. And then companies started reaching out saying, ‘Oh, we’re trying to do more with that,’ or ‘We’re learning more about that,’ it became part of my personal branding. So I guess it was also a journey for me to find out that there was even this market that I could make a career out of."