Nearly a year after their 16-year-old daughter, Sami Liber, died in a tragic ATV accident while on vacation in Wyoming, Brentwood parents Rodney and Carla Liber have transformed unimaginable grief into a mission of hope. Through the SAMI Foundation—named both for their daughter and for Supporting Artistic Minds through Inspiration—they are helping young artists across the country discover the joy, healing, and empowerment that creativity can bring.

Sami, who died on August 8, 2024, was remembered by family, friends, and teachers as a vibrant, compassionate soul with a natural gift for art, design, fashion, and photography. Whether she was sketching, painting, styling, or capturing moments behind a camera lens, she had a rare ability to turn the ordinary into something extraordinary. At the time of her death, she was working on her school yearbook, training for varsity cheer, completing an intricate oil painting, and volunteering with Allies for Every Child.

“When Sami died, the world as we knew it fell apart,” her parents said. “She brought light, beauty, and creativity into everything she touched. The best way to honor her is by helping others do the same.”

Founded in late 2024, the SAMI Foundation is dedicated to making the arts more accessible for under-resourced youth. The nonprofit provides art and music supplies to schools, shelters, and community programs, ensuring that young people have the tools they need to create, explore, and heal. In addition, the foundation funds art education—covering the costs of classes, summer programs, and other opportunities that allow aspiring artists to nurture their passions without financial barriers.

“This is just the beginning,” said Rodney Liber. “We want every child with a creative spark to feel seen, supported, and celebrated—just like Sami always made others feel. We’ll never stop missing her, but through this work, her spirit continues to make the world a more beautiful place.”

In its first year, the SAMI Foundation has partnered with several educational and charitable organizations, including the Los Angeles Academy for Artists and Music Production, KIPP Public Charter Schools, United in Harmony, and Baby2Baby. DONATION.

One of its signature projects has been the creation of curated art kits featuring Sami’s original artwork. These kits, designed in response to recent wildfires in Los Angeles, offer children a creative outlet in times of crisis. Students at Altadena Arts Magnet School were among the first recipients, using the materials to channel their feelings into art after experiencing disruption and loss.

Through every grant, program, and project, the SAMI Foundation sustains Sami’s legacy by empowering young people to create, express, and inspire. For Rodney and Carla Liber, the work is both an act of love and a way to ensure that Sami’s light continues to shine brightly—illuminating paths for other young dreamers, just as she would have wanted.