An Oakland native, Chief Executive Officer Brandon Nicholson, Ph.D. has always felt a deep sense of commitment to promoting equity in the public realm, particularly in the education space. Previously, he was a Senior Associate at Social Policy Research Associates (SPR), where he conducted research, evaluation, and analysis across a range of key social policy areas. Brandon has conducted substantial research in the areas of education and youth development, with a particular focus on issues of equity and access in K-12 education for underserved populations. He has considerable experience investigating linkages among race, class, and youth development.

A San Francisco native, Tariq Norris is the Chief Finance and Operations Officer at The Hidden Genius Project. His expertise is rooted in organizational development, fiscal management, non-profit administration, youth development, and strategic planning. Previously, Tariq held leadership positions at several local and national non-profit organizations which focused on organizational growth and creating positive pathways and opportunities for children and families. Tariq was educated at Alabama State University where he studied Communications. Tariq believes strongly in the power of community and continues to dedicate his life and career to helping historically underserved youth and communities advance and thrive.

Mounir Tyler is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a diverse background in non-profit executive leadership, consulting, clinical therapy, and for-profit management. His leadership philosophy is grounded in the importance of developing capacity-building systems in operations, programmatic services, staff development, and strategic planning. In addition, Mounir has expertise in youth development and previously held executive positions with national non-profits, serving multi-service populations with a primary focus in mental health, supportive housing services, and financial capability.

Ultimately, Mounir is passionate about empowering resource deficient communities affected by systemic inequities, to gain confidence and skills toward improving their mental and physical wellness and overall financial status. He attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, The University of Cincinnati, and California State, East Bay earning a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Social Work.

Hodari A. Tourè received his doctorate from UC Berkeley in the School of Education in Social and Cultural Studies. His research in anthropology and education reflects a strong emphasis on inner city African Americans and has resulted in an interest in organic community discourse, which he calls block pedagogy. He states it is a discourse, which reflects the constant negotiation of identity power and privileged knowledge.

Prof. Tourè has taught courses at UC Berkeley and has vast experience working with young Black males throughout the East Bay including; Emery middle school, King Estate middle school among others.

Kayla is the Vice President of Programs at The Hidden Genius Project and has 13+ years of experience building organizational capacity, focusing on social impact partnerships, scaling access programs, and organizational development. Kayla was previously the founding Site Director for Los Angeles and mentored three Genius cohorts through the 15-month Immersion Program before transitioning into her current role. Kayla is driven by the opportunity to influence systemic change for at-opportunity youth and has overseen expansion and growth at national organizations. Kayla holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan, where she focused on policy change within social systems to prioritize community-based solutions.

Kyjeila Latimer, Ph.D. is the Learning and Evaluation Director at the Hidden Genius Project. Kyjeila received her Ph.D. from the University of North Texas in Behavioral Science and uses her knowledge to critically consider best methods for data collection, analysis, and reporting. Her extensive experience in conducting institutional and large-scale evaluations also uniquely positions her to drive impactful change. Kyjeila’s passion lies in translating data into actionable insights, directly demonstrating the value of our work. In her previous role, she evaluated federal grant initiatives focused on addressing health disparities statewide and developed DEI-centered presentations and workshops, underscoring her unwavering commitment to historically marginalized communities.

Kristina Hardy is the Curriculum Director at The Hidden Genius Project. She comes to the organization with over a decade of teaching and mentoring experience, as well as administrative experience in independent schools. She is from North Carolina and holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Chemistry from High Point University. Her students described her as "the black Miss Frizzle". Kristina brings her robust experience with curriculum mapping in progressive schools. She is excited to help clarify and expand the curriculum so Geniuses may thrive at any stage of the program and beyond.

Brieana Johnson (she/her) is the Pedagogy Director at The Hidden Genius Project. Originally from Compton, CA, Brieana is a passionate educator with 17 years of experience in youth development, K-12 and higher ed teaching, and nonprofit educational advocacy. Brieana believes that teaching and learning should be transformative experiences that seek to heal, construct, and liberate. Particularly passionate about creating these experiences for Black youth, she has the privilege of supporting Innovation Educators at The Hidden Genius Project to continue expanding their expertise in service of this mission. Brieana lives in Oakland, CA where she pours into her greatest accomplishments to date -- her two daughters Khalila and Rani.

Pete Haviland-Eduah is the Communications Director at The Hidden Genius Project. A graduate of Union College and the University of Michigan’s Ford School of Public Policy, he has worked across the nonprofit, private, and federal sectors—leading campaigns, shaping narratives, and driving mission-aligned messaging. Pete believes deeply in elevating underrepresented voices through meaningful storytelling and strategic policy engagement. When not at work, you can find Pete with friends, family, or on the golf course.

Rayna Lett is the Support Services Director of The Hidden Genius Project. She is an West Oakland native and longstanding community advocate. Rayna brings a wealth of knowledge developing and implementing youth and family programs for over 25 years throughout Alameda County. Rayna’s diverse experience of working within various sectors, such as local government, nonprofit and education, lends to her comprehensive approach of of ensuring youth and their families are provided the necessary resources and support services to thrive. Rayna is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and also serves as a Commissioner on the Alameda County Human Relations Commission addressing education, employment and public safety within our communities.

Krystal joined The Hidden Genius Project as the Operations Manager, where she aligns her experience with implementing organizational development and establishing internal infrastructures to support long-term sustainability. Following several years of Administrative Operations and Management at the Executive level— including her most recent position with Edrington and Associates, a leading real estate consulting firm in the Bay Area, where Krystal had the opportunity to revisit her nonprofit roots. She left a significant career in the private sector to pursue a lifelong passion for providing support to young people to help strengthen their capacity to transform their lives and communities. Krystal earned her B.A. in Psychology with an emphasis on social, cultural, organizational, and community contexts with a minor in Africana Studies from San Francisco State University. Her work experience spans considerable domains including juvenile justice reform, youth development, and education.

Rosahn Jones is the HR Manager at The Hidden Genius Project. She is a dedicated Human Resources professional with a passion for people and a laid-back approach to life. With a career rooted in fostering workplace culture and employee growth, she brings both expertise and warmth to every organization she serves. When she’s not ensuring a seamless HR experience, you can find her exploring new destinations around the world or cherishing time with her family.

As a proud new member of The Hidden Genius Project family, she is thrilled to be part of an organization that uplifts and empowers Black youth—helping them not only excel in technology but also thrive in their personal lives and communities. She believes that a supportive environment is key to success, and she’s excited to contribute to a mission that aligns with her values of mentorship, growth, and opportunity.

With over 10 years of youth non-profit and community relations experience, Angelica focuses on cultivating and championing diverse and inclusive populations across different industries. As a Bay Area native, Angelica is passionate about amplifying Black voices in the community, and is devoted to supporting the intellect and talent of Black male youth. With a Bachelor's degree in Communications and Public Relations from Sacramento State, she provides superb administrative support and collaboration within the organization. In her spare time, Angelica coaches and mentors Black adolescents in Oakland through the sport of Olympic Weightlifting.

Game developer and music composer, Jabari Alii is an Oakland native and the Oakland Site Director at The Hidden Genius Project. He believes in using art and technology to give voice and agency to underserved youth. His work is fueled by a mission to have the Black community play a larger role in the global impact of technology and media. Emerging technology has always been Jabari's passion, as he previously worked as a sound designer for Facebook and a video game design instructor for the David E. Glover Technology Center. In his spare time, Jabari enjoys playing chess and the piano.

Jamal Mitchell drives the holistic arm of The Hidden Genius Project as the Support Services Manager. With over twenty-two years of experience in serving youth and families in the foster care system, Jamal specializes in cultivating relationships with at-risk and underserved youth. He has a strong passion for comprehensive case management and possesses a gift for developing a holistic needs-based service plan. Jamal was also a Life Skills Trainer for twelve years at the Alameda County Independent Living Skills Program.

Computer science enthusiast and aspiring entrepreneur, Abraham Keleta is the Senior Innovation Educator, Youth Educator Lead at The Hidden Genius Project. Being an Oakland Native, Abraham is interested in utilizing technology and leadership principles to inspire and empower the next generation to build the tools needed to make a global impact. In his spare time, Abraham is devoted to curating his passion projects; Asend, a personal blog and running a clothing brand, Leopes. He also enjoys reading and reviewing books focused on personal development.

A southern native of the robust rural city of Jackson, Mississippi, Démetrious Brown is an Innovation Educator for The Hidden Genius Project in Oakland. He received his education in Dual degree Computer Science/Computer Engineering from Xavier University of Louisiana and Jackson State University. As an educator, Démetrious has a philosophy of " Quisque Doceat Unum" meaning "Each One Teach One". He strongly believes in collaborative learning and experiencing the journey more than the end goal. In his spare time, Démetrious develops various artificial intelligence (A.I.) programs and code to run on robots to act as a more in depth personal assistant. He also enjoys working on cars in his free time.

Janay serves as the Richmond Site Director for The Hidden Genius Project. Originally from Southern California, Janay relocated to the Bay Area to pursue her undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley and graduate studies at University of San Francisco.

As an equity-fluent leader and service-learning practitioner, Janay has devoted her career to supporting the professional and personal development of Black students, leaders, and kin. Her professional praxis is rooted in the community cultural wealth model where she supports her community in recognizing and leveraging their lived experiences and ancestral wisdom as strengths and tools for collective transformation.

In her spare time, Janay serves her community as a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., enjoys spending time with family and friends, dining at local eateries, and exploring new hiking trails at East Bay regional parks.

Andrew Pope grew up in Vallejo, California. After graduating from high school he wanted to learn more about the historical factors that have affected his community to this day and went on to attend UCLA where he majored in African American Studies and minored in Pilipino Studies. After graduating, Andrew accepted a position as the College Adviser Fellow at The Hidden Genius Project through Destination College Advisor Corps to work towards getting more students of color into four-year universities.

Born and raised in East Oakland, Devon Nutting first began his journey with The Hidden Genius Project back in 2015 as an OAK3 Hidden Genius with his twin brother, Donovan. After completing the program in 2016, Devon continued to nurture his passion for coding and video game development with the organization as a Youth Educator, where he exposed hundreds of young people to computer science basics and fundamentals through our Community Partnership Programs in the Bay Area, including national and international Catalyst events.

Now, Devon supports The Hidden Genius Project as a Genius Fellow Educator in Richmond by mentoring the next generation of Geniuses in our Intensive Immersion Program. He also participates in the newly created Genius Studios, developing digital games with a team made entirely of Hidden Genius Alumni. Devon is currently pursuing his Bachelor's Degree in Games and Playable Media at the University of California, Santa Cruz. His ultimate goal is to have a career in the technology field and launch his own gaming studio in the Bay Area. Devon's other passions include fitness, cooking, and self-care.

Kiraa Easter is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist whose central focus and area of expertise encompasses the ART of supporting young people of the African Diaspora and their families. Born and raised in East Oakland, Kiraa has committed herself to being a change agent for wellness by fostering hope and forwardness for the next generation of her community. For more than a decade, Kiraa’s strategies have helped young people navigate the critical developmental stages of adolescence and young adulthood. She fell in love with serving youth when she began her professional journey in the high schools of West Contra Costa Unified School District back in 2013. As a mental health clinician, her unique approach creates intentional spaces and relationships for students so they can discover, develop, and practice skills such as advocacy, and awareness. Kiraa’s professional training and lived experiences has allowed her to be aware of the many visible and invisible factors that influence confidence and motivation. As a coach, Kiraa challenges young people to become more aware of themselves AND the world around them. As a wife, a mother of many, and a member of a large family, she has developed the ability to be versatile, empathic, and lively in her engagements with youth. Students laugh at her dry humor and her entertaining improv techniques that she incorporates to help make learning connections. In her downtime, this therapist loves dance, listen to ol’ school jams and watch DIY hacks on YouTube. In all, as a healer, she is here to encourage forwardness through creative measures that will ultimately promote relief, growth, and agency.

Jameela Carnell is a Los Angeles native and dedicated ecosystem builder committed to fostering equitable opportunities for underserved innovators. As the Site Director at The Hidden Genius Project, she leads initiatives that empower Black male youth through mentorship, technology training, and leadership development. With a background spanning venture capital, workforce development, and entrepreneurship, she has managed impact driven programs at The Kapor Center and HBCUvc, where she supported fund managers, future investors, and underrepresented founders.

Passionate about creating inclusive communities, Jameela specializes in program management, ecosystem building, and strategic partnerships. She envisions a future where diverse talent has greater access to opportunities in tech and venture capital, and she remains committed to driving lasting, systemic change.

Oliver Sims, our LA Support Services Manager, possesses a rich background spanning advertising, film production, and youth leadership. Fueled by his education from Xavier University of Louisiana and his bulletproof East Oakland confidence, he embraces new challenges with undeniable energy and focus.

Cameron Leonard is the Innovation Educator I at The Hidden Genius Project. He describes himself as a chill, determined, and enthusiastic young man. He recently graduated from Cal State University Dominguez-Hills with a Bachelor’s degree in Digital Media Arts - Audio Engineering. When he is not working on projects and hustling before deadlines, he is watching sports and studying analytics about his favorite teams. He is looking forward to having time now to start traveling whether across the country or out of the country! He is excited to join the team because he is an alumnus of RICH-1, and has always enjoyed his time watching the impact he's had on youth inside & out of The Hidden Genius Project. He tries to inspire the youth as much as possible since he is only a couple of years older & was recently in their position.

William Malcolm serves as the Detroit Site Director at The Hidden Genius Project. With over 15 years as a business and social entrepreneur, William has developed extensive leadership and project-based programming pathways for Black male youth. William strongly believes in the unlimited potential of all Black boys, which is why his work focuses on educational achievement, social and emotional wellness, goal-setting techniques, and conflict resolution strategies, while reinforcing the importance of understanding one's self and cultural identity.

A member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, William has received numerous awards and recognitions for his community involvement. He was awarded a 2010 Detroit Chamber of Commerce Fusion Award, a 2010 Vanguard Award, a 2012 Molina Community Champions Award, a 2013 Black Male Engagement Award, a 2016 Spirit of Detroit Award, and a 2019 Michigan Chronicle Man of Excellence Award.

William also hosts, The William Malcolm Morning Show (92.7 WLQV Detroit-Market); the goal of the weekly show is to inspire, uplift, and motivate listeners to become dreamers in action.

Miracle Baynes is a Detroit native who has a deep passion for caring and supporting for those in her community. Throughout Miracle’s career in the human services field, she has been dedicated to changing lives with a zest for helping others navigate healthcare, supportive services, direct care, and mentorship. As the Detroit Support Services Manager, Miracle continues to impact the lives of our young people in many ways. She received her B.S. in Psychology from Wayne State University.

Outside of Miracle’s professional endeavors, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and being the best mom ever.

Cameron Warner is an Innovation Educator at The Hidden Genius Project in Detroit. His passion for technology and love for education encourages his daily ambition to be better than he was yesterday. In his free time, he enjoys reading, writing poetry, and collecting 70s Soul vinyls. He is excited to be a part of the Hidden Genius Project because it allows him to connect with the Black male youth of Detroit through an opportunity he wishes was available to him.

Perry Irving, Oakland native and OAK3 Hidden Alum, supports The Hidden Genius Project as the first Genius Fellow Educator, and currently as a Innovation Educator. In 2015, Perry joined our Intensive Immersion Program with his twin brother, Paris, where he thrived learning about computer science and entrepreneurship. While in the program, Perry combined his passion for technology and skateboarding and founded iCreateSkateboards, which helps skaters design their own skateboards.

After completing the program, Perry continued to support The Hidden Genius Project as a Youth Educator for five years, leading technical workshops to young people and adults throughout the Bay Area, including national and international Catalyst Programs. He also participated in our inaugural Alumni Venture Seed Fund program in 2020. In his spare time, Perry enjoys skateboarding and creating content videos.

Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Montanna attended a Spanish immersion school and a performing arts high school before earning an Associate’s in Teaching and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Missouri–Kansas City. With over 12 years of experience in youth development, education, and workforce development, he has worked with organizations like Boys & Girls Club, 10,000 Degrees, Code Nation, and Year Up, fostering inclusive spaces where young people feel seen, valued, and empowered. After serving with AmeriCorps City Year, he pursued a Master’s in Social Impact and Organizational Leadership at Claremont Lincoln University. Now, as the Site Director for The Hidden Genius Project in Long Beach, Montanna is excited to build and shape programs that empower Black youth through leadership, technology, and entrepreneurship. Passionate about the arts, he enjoys karaoke, playing the trumpet, drawing, painting, and traveling.

Ian Bundy-Weiss is one of the Innovation Educators for the Long Beach site at The Hidden Genius Project. He is an Alumni of the Oakland 5 Cohort and has completed his Bachelor's in Computer Science at California State University, Long Beach. His favorite things to do with his free time are watch tv shows and movies with his friends, and play video games like Counter-Strike and Rocket League. Ian is excited about his new found role in The Hidden Genius Project, where he will hope to further elevate the programs technical expertise.

Rahsaan Jones is the Long Beach Innovation Educator at The Hidden Genius Project. He graduated from UC Merced in May 2025 with a B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering. Outside of work, you can usually find him at the gym, playing basketball, gaming, or learning a new skill. Originally from Oakland, CA, and a member of the Oak 7 Cohort, Rahsaan is excited to be back with The Hidden Genius Project in Long Beach and to connect with the team and community.

Troy Kyles is a Black male educator and career and workforce development leader with over a decade of experience supporting BIPOC youth and adult learners across the K–12, higher education, nonprofit, and tech sectors. Passionate about the intersection of education and technology, he has served as a School Counselor, Career Coach, Workforce Development Professional, and Scrum Master, leading equity-centered initiatives that connect communities to real-world opportunities. From building postsecondary and employer partnerships to guiding job seekers into tech roles and creating inclusive spaces through restorative practices, Troy brings a strategic, empathetic, and resilient approach to every space he enters. As the founding Philadelphia Site Director for The Hidden Genius Project, he is excited to expand opportunities for Black male youth through mentorship, skill-building, and holistic development. Troy holds a B.A. in Psychology from Lock Haven University and an M.Ed. in School Counseling from West Chester University. Outside of his work, he is a music head, an avid sports fan, and enjoys fitness, reading, and travel.