What do Upward Bound Saturdays, a grandmother’s wisdom, and a suitcase full of robotics kits have in common? They’re all part of the story behind ACCESS Educational Services, founded by Gwen Brantley to expose underrepresented students to meaningful STEM opportunities.
This week on Mission CTRL, Ramon sits down with Gwen to explore how her journey from HR professional to nonprofit founder has empowered thousands of students over the past 20 years. From moonlighting on lunch breaks to taking the leap full-time in 2017, Gwen shares how personal loss, faith, and the drive to give her son opportunities shaped her mission to build confidence and career pathways for underserved youth.
Gwen opens up about chartering the first NSBE Jr. chapter in Bridgeport, partnering with organizations like NASCAR and FIRST Robotics, and why teaching by doing - through coding, robotics, eSports, and more - is the key to unlocking student potential. She also reflects on the realities of funding a nonprofit, the importance of accountability to donors, and why representation in STEM careers matters as much as exposure.
Whether you’re an educator, entrepreneur, or just someone who believes in the transformative power of opportunity, this conversation is packed with lessons on resilience, vision, and community. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn a side hustle into a 20-year movement that changes lives, this episode is for you.
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Find full episodes of Mission CTRL on Anchor, Apple Podcast, Spotify, and our website.
Mission CTRL aims to ignite the innovative spirit inside us all through providing budding and successful entrepreneurs and community leaders with a platform to share their stories and inspire others. Tune in every Wednesday and catch up with the team at Peralta Design as we unleash the origin stories behind some exceptional leaders, share marketing/branding insights, and navigate the ever-changing currents of pop culture.
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