TIMOTHY WRIGHT, RICH7

When Timothy Wright (RICH7 Alum) first joined The Hidden Genius Project, he was used to keeping to himself. Through his experience in the 15-month Intensive Immersion Program, he built lasting friendships, discovered new possibilities with exposure to tech and leadership, and grew more confident in advocating for himself, and learned to embrace unfamiliar spaces. Now a student at Berkeley City Colllege, he carries those lessons forward with a stronger sense of belonging, and advice for future Geniuses: “Don’t be in the corner.”

How have you been?
I’ve been pretty good so far, and things have been going smoothly. Compared to high school, I’ve been able to learn more about myself without as many distractions. I’ve had a lot of time to really think about who I am and what I want to do with myself. My family’s been doing fine, too.

What was your experience in the program like?
I had a pretty good experience in the program, and I learned a lot, especially when it came to leadership and our leadership meetings. My favorite part was the field trips and getting to meet different companies, because it broadened my horizons and my perspective on what I would want to do. The trip that stood out most was our visit to Twitch, because I never thought I would be able to go somewhere like that and get to see more of the company. Another really big highlight was the connections I made

Tell me about some of the challenges you’ve faced while in The Hidden Genius Project? How did you overcome them?
For me, the biggest challenge was definitely the brotherhood aspect. I was an only child for most of my life and always kept to myself, so I had never really been in a space like that before, surrounded by other young Black men. When I first joined, I kind of felt alone, and I had a lot of growing pains. I overcame it by putting my pride aside and embracing the people around me, and once I started reaching out and building real friendships with my brothers in the program, both in and outside of it, that became the biggest positive.

Describe the final project you created during your time in the Immersion Program.
My final project was a streetwear clothing brand called Twilight. I wanted my brand to represent the people who feel out of place or like they don’t belong, and who have a hard time expressing their creativity. That was the main objective of my clothing brand. It’s been a while since I made it, but that’s what Twilight was all about.

How is The Hidden Genius Project different from other mentorship or training experiences that you have been involved in?
I’ve been in a good amount of other programs, but The Hidden Genius Project is different because it’s made me feel the most like I belong. It’s a place I know I can always come back to whenever I need to. Other programs try, but they’re not really for us, and they’re not for me. The biggest thing about The Hidden Genius Project is that they want me there.

What specific skills learned in The Hidden Genius Project have been most beneficial for you?
One skill I learned was the basics of coding. Having that knowledge means I’m not so limited. I still use it every now and then, just for fun. And I’m not afraid to ever branch into it for a job or a career. Another skill I learned isn’t a technical skill, but being in the program taught me to be a little more patient. It also taught me to demand what I deserve, in a way. I learned not to let people walk over me.

What was the most important thing you gained on a personal level from participating in The Hidden Genius Project?
The most important thing I gained on a personal level was the connections I made with my brothers in the program. Coming in, I always kept to myself, but I ended up building real friendships that go beyond the program. No matter how long it’s been or how far away I am, I know I still have that group of people. On top of that, I learned to be more patient and to stand up for myself.

How do you think your path might have been different if you hadn’t participated in The Hidden Genius Project?
I could answer that a few different ways. Number one, I wouldn’t have all the connections that I have now, and I think I would have been a little more close-minded. I don’t know if my path would have been drastically different without the program. But I would just have less knowledge of things than I do now.

When you imagine yourself before starting The Hidden Genius Project, what’s different between that version of you and the current version?
The version of me before the program was way more insecure than I am now. It wasn’t just physical, either. I was generally more insecure about a lot of things. Since the program, I’m not as insecure, and I have more confidence in myself.

In what ways have you remained involved with The Hidden Genius Project since completing the 15-month Intensive Immersion program?
I still talk to people from The Hidden Genius Project every now and then. Andrew [Richmond Alumni Coordinator] in particular still reaches out to me.

In what ways has the staff of The Hidden Genius Project continued to support you since graduating from the program?
I can really only speak for one staff member specifically, and that’s Andrew. He has definitely reached out to me a lot, and he’s supported me by offering a lot of help with my college applications. He’s made my journey just a little easier for me. He’s still reaching out and keeping up with how I’m doing.

If you could talk to yourself just before you applied, what is one thing you would say?
One thing I would tell myself is to embrace the moment earlier. I was in the program, but it took me a long time to mentally get into it. So I’d tell myself to embrace the moment and not take it for granted, even though it’s an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people. Don’t be in the corner.

What words of encouragement do you have for future Geniuses?
Always be prepared, and always have different plans. Never put all your eggs in one basket, because you may have a vision for yourself in the moment, but things will change, and it’ll be unexpected. So never be unprepared for change.