In this episode of Gateway to Growth, host Jamal Cornelious sits down with Robert L. Powell III — founder and CEO of the BGG Foundation and former PlayStation employee — to talk about how he's turning gaming from a "hobby" into a real career pathway for St. Louis youth.

Whether you're a gamer, a parent, an educator, or just curious how esports scholarships actually work, this conversation breaks down an industry most people still don't fully understand.

In this episode, Jamal and Robert dig into how gaming can be a vehicle for mentorship, workforce development, and violence prevention — and why Saint Louis has been slow to catch up.

This episode's highlights include:

• Robert's journey from Saint Louis Public Schools and SLU to working at Sony on the PlayStation line, and why he left to start his own foundation.

• How the BGG Foundation runs gaming programs in schools and county libraries to help kids earn esports scholarships.

• The difference between "passive" screen time (doom scrolling) and "active" screen time (competitive gaming) — and why it matters for kids' attention spans and critical thinking.

• Why so few local kids end up on esports rosters at Saint Louis University, Maryville, Lindenwood, and other regional schools, despite those programs existing right in their backyard.

• A preview of the Got Game Tournament on July 25th at the St. Louis County Library's Clark Family Branch, featuring Super Smash Bros, Brawlhalla, and 2XKO, with $500 cash prizes and scholarship opportunities on the line.

• The launch of the Saint Louis Gaming League, a 21-and-up competitive league that faces off against Chicago and Detroit.

• Robert's advice to young people trying to find their path: be bold, follow what you love, and actually tap into your community instead of just watching from the sidelines.

From growing up gaming in his grandmother's basement to building scholarship pipelines for the next generation, this episode is a reminder that community — not competition — is what moves a city forward.

Get involved: visit the BGG Foundation's website to donate, check the esports leaderboards, browse the esports directory, or come out to a tournament or library program.


Connect with Robert L. Powell III
Instagram Personal ▶ @robbruhbruh
Instagram Company BGG Foundation ▶ @bggfndn
Linkedin ▶ https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-l-powell-iii/?skipRedirect=true

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