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Alecia Gabriel and Deirdre Roberson are scientists who left the academic and corporate worlds on a mission to make STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) excellence a fact of life for young people from all segments of society. Their mission was born of their experiences in Detroit, Michigan, where they found that their own excellence in science was all too rare. They set out to correct that situation with their business, The Lab Drawer, and in doing so, developed a B2B (business-to-business) model that amplifies the reach and effectiveness of their venture. Based on what they’ve learned, they aim to scale what they’ve built to create widespread, equitable access to STEAM knowledge and careers.
Episode Summary
In this episode of the Urban Game Changers podcast, the founders of The Lab Drawer discuss their mission to expand access to STEAM (STEM + Arts) education through hands-on learning experiences for K–12 students. The conversation explores how early exposure to science and technology can shape career pathways, especially for students historically underrepresented in STEM fields. The guests explain how their company partners with school districts, universities, and youth organizations to provide engaging, educational kits and curriculum experiences. They also discuss the importance of representation, creativity, and entrepreneurship in building educational systems that prepare students for the future workforce. The episode closes with a discussion about AI, emerging technologies, and why human-centered, physical learning experiences may become even more important in a rapidly digitizing world.
- Urban Game Changers Episode 13
- STEAM Divas
- Guests: Alecia Gabriel and Deirdre Roberson, founders of The Lab Drawer
- Release date: June 18, 2026
- Length: 57:03
- Executive Producer & Host: W. David Tarver
- Producer & Editor: Ben Reynolds
- Associate Producers: Anshiqa Miskowski and Felipé Furtado, MD
Chapter Markers
00:00 – Introduction to The Lab Drawer Overview of the company mission and why STEM exposure matters early in childhood.
05:00 – The Origins of the Company The founders discuss their backgrounds and the inspiration behind creating The Lab Drawer.
12:00 – Why Representation in STEM Matters Discussion on exposing children to scientists and innovators who look like them.
18:00 – Creating Hands-On STEM Kits How the company develops experiential learning products for schools and youth organizations.
23:38 – Naming “The Lab Drawer” Story behind the company name and the evolution from early prototypes to current kits.
29:00 – Business Model & Customers Discussion of the company’s B2B model serving school districts, STEM organizations, and universities.
36:00 – Building Inclusive Futures Through STEM Why diverse participation in STEM leads to better societal outcomes.
43:00 – Creativity, Entrepreneurship, and Problem Solving The founders discuss how artistic thinking shaped the company’s growth and innovation process.
50:00 – AI, Technology, and the Future of Education Conversation around AI as a collaborative tool and preparing students for emerging careers.