The Hidden Genius Project

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The Hidden Genius Project

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The Hidden Genius Project trains and mentors Black male youth in technology and leadership skills.

Founded in 2012 by five Black male entrepreneurs/technologists who were unnerved by the dramatic juxtaposition between the high unemployment of Black male youth and the plethora of career opportunities within the local technology sector. Through our student-centered, project-based approach, we invest in young Black men, give them access to technology training, and plug them into an ecosystem of innovation and empowerment.

10/13/2026

ICYMI: Richmond’s genius was on full display! 💻✨

On September 22, our Richmond Geniuses brought a summer of creativity, dedication, and leadership to CoBiz Richmond for our 2026 End of Summer Celebration.

From original apps and games to AI tools and business plans, these young Black innovators shared what they built through our Intensive Immersion Program—in their own words. Their projects, confidence, and growth gave us so much to celebrate. 🎉

To the families, alumni, mentors, staff, and community members who showed up: THANK YOU. Your support helps make this work possible and keeps our brotherhood growing.

Let’s keep showing up for Richmond’s Geniuses. Make a gift through and invest in the talent already here—and the young men coming next.

💛 Give at hiddengeniusproject.org/donate

RichmondCA

🎥 cred: By Menelik | Bay Area Videographer

10/05/2026

Averill listens to headphones all day, every day, because music helps him feel calm. So he designed his own using the skills and connections he made while at The Hidden Genius Project.

Amplify Waves, he says, are for “people with autism like me, people that like to listen to music.” He first pitched them as a Genius at The Hidden Genius Project in Richmond, and one of his brothers in the program designed the logo.

Now he’s selling them, studying business at Cal State East Bay, and hoping to inspire people “to start at any age.”

Back the next Averill. Donate or volunteer at the link in bio.

Special thank you to our friends at Visual Outlet for filming and to Up To Code Academy for editing.

08/26/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined The Hidden Genius Project and Black Ops VC for a powerful evening in Inglewood.

We are grateful to the founders, investors, executives, philanthropists, and community leaders who came together to hear directly from our Geniuses and Alumni, experience their work firsthand, and share ideas for building a better future.

Together, we can open more doors for young people to lead, create, and shape the future of technology. If you would like to join us on this journey, visit the link in our bio to donate.

06/25/2026

This Saturday, join us at LakeFest and experience Genius City at the Garden Center at Lake Merritt.

Step inside 10,000 square feet of interactive experiences where Oakland’s young innovators will showcase AI, robotics, gaming, music technology, and hands-on activities for all ages.

Whether you’re curious about technology, looking for a fun family activity, or just want to see what’s possible when young people lead, there’s something for you.

Admission is free with LakeFest, and we’d love to see you there. Link in bio for more information.

06/23/2026

Step into Genius City and experience hands-on creativity, technology, and innovation in action. Led by our Youth Educators, each activity invites participants to explore new skills, spark curiosity, and imagine what is possible. Join us at Lakefest 2026 and be part of the experience! Link in bio for more information.

06/17/2026

Bay Area, we’re bringing Genius City to LakeFest. Saturday, June 27 in Oakland. 10,000 square feet of gaming, AI, robotics, music tech, and hands-on workshops inside the Garden Center at Lake Merritt, all designed and led by Oakland youth. Free and open to all LakeFest attendees. Come build. Come learn. Come see what Genius looks like. Link in bio for more information. We hope to see you there!

05/14/2026

💫Nassor At-thinnin Gant, a Hidden Genius Alum of our Richmond Cohort 7 (RICH7), began his journey with ambition, but searching for confidence and a sense of belonging. After being introduced to The Hidden Genius Project, he stepped into our Intensive Immersion Program where he was challenged to grow beyond his comfort zone, finding his voice, building confidence, and discovering new ways to express himself through both technology and storytelling.

🔥Surrounded by a strong brotherhood and supportive mentors, Nassor transformed from someone who once felt like “a silent and reserved person” into a leader willing to speak up and share his perspective. Today, as an 18-year-old student at the University of California, Riverside studying African American Studies, he continues that journey through his writing, including his book The Way We Choose to Walk, which uplifts the voices and experiences of Black men across communities.

💪🏿Reveal Nassor’s journey with The Hidden Genius Project by reading his story here (or the link in bio): https://buff.ly/SZABpJH

05/11/2026

“New data showing rising unemployment and widening economic gaps for Black Californians framed a statewide conference at UCLA, where more than 200 advocates, policymakers, elected officials, scholars, entertainers and community leaders gathered to examine the conditions facing Black Californians and to push solutions for a thriving Black California.”

✏️Dr. Brandon Nicholson, CEO of The Hidden Genius Project, was among the community leaders who spoke at the State of Black California Conference, hosted by the UCLA Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies in partnership with the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC). During the conference, Dr. Nicholson advocated for stronger investments in Black futures, highlighting the incredible accomplishments The Hidden Genius Project’s young men continue to achieve through access to mentorship, education, and opportunities that empower them to pursue their genius.

✅Read more about this monumental convening in an article by The Observer at the link (or visit our bio): https://buff.ly/yu2yYUz

05/06/2026

💪🏿Kamren Lake, a Hidden Genius Alum of our Chicago Cohort 2 (CHI2), began his journey at a time when he had big dreams but was still searching for direction and confidence. After discovering The Hidden Genius Project at a local event, he stepped into our Intensive Immersion Program, where he was challenged to think more critically about his future, build discipline, and step into his voice.

💫Through hands-on experiences in entrepreneurship and technology, Kamren not only developed practical skills like public speaking and networking but also learned how to turn ideas into action, bringing his vision for Pryde, an injury prevention sportswear brand, to life. Today, at 16 years old, Kamren is a student at Lindblom Math and Science Academy, continuing to grow as a leader and preparing to step into a Youth Educator role, while pursuing his goal of becoming a physical therapist with a clearer sense of purpose and direction.

🔥To reveal Kamren's journey with The Hidden Genius Project and beyond, click the link (or see our bio!): https://buff.ly/UyDm7D3

05/04/2026

Catch a glimpse into our Atlanta Intensive Immersion Programming! Our brilliant youth have been working tirelessly on their coding projects, as they dive into their specialized tracks: Game Development, Mobile App Development, and Applied AI. During our summer session, our outgoing Atlanta Cohort 3 brothers will work five days a week to wrap up their projects. Keep up the good work!

Address

1441 Franklin Street, Fourth Floor
Oakland, CA
94612

Website

http://www.hiddengeniusproject.org/

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