Roberto Gonzalez

Founder and Executive Director of STEAM Box • (he/him)

@STEAMBoxRI

Tell us about yourself, your connection to Rhode Island, and your work.

I’m a hip-hop nerd and Spiderman fiend from Providence’s Washington Park. I’ve spent my career giving young people autonomy to find their voice, their confidence, and their purpose through creativity, innovation, and real-world application. Through STEAM Box (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), we’ve built programs where students don’t just learn about technology, they create with it.

What’s your motivation for doing this work?

My motivation comes from watching students transform when they realize their voice and their story have power. I started this work because I saw a real gap between what young people are capable of and the antiquated public school systems. Too often, students are talked at, instead of listened to. Through STEAM Box, I created a space where youth could lead, where their ideas, energy, and experiences could shape projects that matter to them; the goal has always been to help young people see themselves as innovators and leaders.

In what ways do you hope to leave an impact on the Ocean State in the coming year?

We’re developing a new centralized learning hub in Providence, continuing our practice of bringing together youth from across the state to collaborate on podcasts, engineering projects, and creative media. This hub will serve as a launchpad for student voice and community connection, helping Rhode Island’s next generation build the confidence, technical skills, and emotional resilience they need to lead.

What challenges do you anticipate having to overcome to achieve these goals?

One of the biggest challenges we’ll face is scaling our work without losing the authenticity of the youth voice. The students are the ones leading conversations, designing solutions, and setting the tone for our programs. Another major challenge will be sustaining resources; we need partners, schools, and policymakers who recognize that this kind of work takes long-term investment. Our goal isn’t just to react to the crisis, but to create a culture of care, creativity, and belonging, and that means constantly learning, listening, and evolving.

What’s your reason for optimism approaching 2026?

My optimism isn’t blind, it’s based on what I see every day: students turning challenges into breakthroughs, and Rhode Island rallying behind them. Every week, I see young people showing up with bold ideas, empathy, and a determination to make things better, not just for themselves, but for their communities, and they’re fulfilled by it. It’s that energy that’s going to define 2026.

Sponsored by URI College of Business • web.uri.edu/business