"Just A Conversation" (Spotlight Series) w/ Carlos Banks

Welcome to the first episode of our 2026 season and the launch of our 'Just A Conversation' series! In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Carlos Banks, Regional Director for iUrbanTeen Northwest, to discuss how his organization is transforming the lives of Black and Brown youth by exposing them to career pathways in STEM, arts, and skilled trades. Carlos brings a unique global perspective to youth development work, having spent seven years in South America where he became fluent in Spanish. Now he's channeling that experience into connecting young people with industry professionals right here in the Pacific Northwest. What We Cover: 01:26 - Introduction of Carlos Banks and iUrbanTeen mission 08:17 - What makes iUrbanTeen different - connecting youth to industry professionals 14:06 - AI hackathon announcement for high schoolers 15:22 - Paid work experience program - $25/hour opportunities 19:04 - STEM+Arts+Trades approach and why it works together 31:42 - Seattle gala April 4th - "Illuminating Futures" event details 39:23 - Success metrics - 20,000+ youth served, 86% to college/trade school 40:15 - Travel as education and opening doors for youth 44:39 - Carlos's original poetry - "Awakening" Whether you're a parent, mentor, educator, or someone who cares about youth development, this conversation offers valuable insights into programs and opportunities that could change a young person's trajectory. Connect with iUrbanTeen: Website: iurbanteen.org