TonyTidbit: A Black Executive Perspective

They Never Told Us These Careers Existed


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Episode Audio Link: https://podcast.ablackexec.com/episode/they-never-told-us-these-careers-existed-

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They never told us these careers existed.

In this episode of A Black Executive Perspective, Tony Tidbit and Chris P. Reed speak with Ben Gilbarg and Angel Diaz, co-founders of STEAM the Streets, about changing the way young people discover career opportunities.

Using hip hop, media, live performances, storytelling, curriculum, and community engagement, STEAM the Streets helps students see themselves in STEM, STEAM, technology, design, science, engineering, and emerging industries. Ben and Angel share why traditional career education often misses Black, Brown, Indigenous, and underserved students, and why relatability, representation, and exposure can change a young person’s future.

They also discuss their own journeys, the full-circle impact of mentorship, the importance of reaching students early, and what schools, founders, educators, and business leaders must do to build real pathways to opportunity.

This is a conversation about purpose, education equity, career access, culture, and helping young people understand that their future is bigger than what they have been shown.

What You’ll Learn

  • How STEAM the Streets uses culture and creativity to make career exploration memorable.
  • Why students need to see people from their communities succeeding in high-growth careers.
  • How one opportunity, one mentor, or one moment of exposure can shift a young person’s confidence and direction.
  • What it takes to build a mission-driven organization with consistency and staying power.

▶︎ In This Episode

00:00 Why Career Awareness Is an Equity Issue

01:22 Meet Ben Gilbarg and Angel Diaz

08:09 Why STEAM the Streets Was Created

16:56 Schoolhouse Rock Meets Hip Hop Career Education

23:36 Turning Inspiration Into Action

29:13 When the School System Fails a Student

34:28 Why Middle School and Ninth Grade Matter

41:26 A Full Circle Story of Confidence and Opportunity

51:34 What Schools Must Do Differently

55:28 Purpose, Patience, and Staying Power

1:00:20 How to Support STEAM the Streets

1:06:09 Tony’s Tidbit, Talent Is Everywhere

🔗 Resources

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This episode was produced by TonyTidbit ™ . Copyright © 2024 A BLACK EXECUTIVE PERSPECTIVE LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this podcast may be reproduced without prior written permission. For permissions, email [email protected] .

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TonyTidbit: A Black Executive PerspectiveBy TonyTidbit ™