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.

Alicia Pinn is a Bay Area native and the Chief Human Resources Officer at The Hidden Genius Project. She was born in Santa Clara, the heart of Silicon Valley, and raised in both the South and East Bay Areas of northern California. The movement around the Bay exposed her to many diverse cultures and people. This and her sundry family makeup allowed her to embrace people of all backgrounds and identities. Alicia is an individual that likes to find the positives and works to drive change. She believes that drive, learned experience, and organization are paramount to success.

Alicia has over 20 years of work experience in nonprofit and for-profit companies and a non-traditional path of education rooted in the Executive level program for Human Resource Management at Cal State East Bay. She also holds certifications with the Society for Human Resources (SHRM) as a Certified Professional (CP), and a Workplace Inclusivity Specialist. She is also a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) with the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI). Alicia is an active board member with the Stanford Community Advisory Board and her local high school's athletic booster club.

Sean Valentine grew up in the Greater New York City Area. In 2009 he relocated to Oakland to work with youth athletes through personal training. In this pursuit, Sean developed a passion for mentorship and teen counseling. While studying Economics he became determined to incorporate his life’s experiences, scholastic knowledge, and pure people skills to help underserved teens reach their true potential. Sean received his B.S. in Economics from Saint Mary’s College.

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 Regional Director, West 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.

Dr. Brian Garrett is the Regional Director, East at The Hidden Genius Project. A biochemist, education leader, and podcast host, Brian calls on his personal and professional journey to passionately advocate for the advancement of the next generation of Black STEM professionals and leaders. After earning an Analytical Excellence Award as a Protein Analytical Chemist at Genentech in 2016, Brian shifted his focus to education. He became the Founding Site Director of SMASH at Morehouse College, a STEM-intensive college preparatory program for Black and Brown high school males in the Atlanta area, and later led SMASH’s East Region. Most recently, he served as Program Manager for the Undergraduate Health Sciences Academy at Morehouse School of Medicine, overseeing strategic direction and program development to support HBCU undergraduates pursuing advanced degrees in biomedical sciences and health professions. In 2023, he launched the Grab Your Y podcast where he facilitates candid conversations with scientists, social impact practitioners, entrepreneurs, and more to amplify the diverse experiences and identities of Black men. Brian earned a BS in Chemistry from Morehouse College and a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Franklin D. Parham is deeply committed to advancing equity through strategic fundraising and creating pathways that connect disenfranchised communities to transformative opportunities. With extensive experience in nonprofit and higher education leadership, he focuses on addressing education, health, and economic disparities while fostering collaboration and growth. A dedicated advocate for aligning students of color with critical resources, Franklin excels at developing initiatives that drive meaningful change.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Franklin enjoys music, running, and writing, and seeks out spaces that bring people together. Inspired by the power of community, he is driven to empower individuals to reach their full potential. Franklin is eager to apply his expertise to impactful projects that bridge gaps and strengthen connections between education and underserved communities.

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.

Freda Statom-Greene has more than 20 years experience with social justice focused non-profits and has expertise in fundraising, communications, coalition building, and change management. She is a 2022 LeaderSpring Woman of Color LeadStrong Fellow and has held leadership positions with a variety of national nonprofits such as the YWCA, Blueprint Schools Network, Multiplying Good (formerly the Jefferson Awards Foundation,) KIPP and United Way. She has been instrumental in forming partnerships, fundraising initiatives and organizational strategies to not only sustain programming, but also support scaling and mission impact to benefit diverse communities. Freda holds a BA from the University of California Berkeley and a certificate in fundraising management from Indiana University Center of Philanthropy. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated and serves on the advisory board for BlackFemaleProject.

Galen Sterling-Smith, born in Alameda and raised in Fresno, CA, returned to the Bay Area for college and has since built a distinguished career in advanced curriculum development and technical training. With deep expertise in computer technology, cinema development, and production technology, he has led transformative programs at Pixar University, designing and implementing cross-departmental training that improved collaboration and efficiency across the studio. Galen's educational work spans diverse groups, from middle school students to professional artists, focusing on simplifying complex concepts and fostering inclusive learning environments. He holds degrees in Cinema & Creative Writing and certifications in Instructional Design, Amazon Web Services, Google Data Analytics, and Project Management, with extensive experience in programming, animation, and robotics. His passion for empowering others through education drives his commitment to creating innovative curricula that resonate with learners of all backgrounds.

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.

Eugene Lemon has over fifty years of experience in the computer technology field, first as an Air Force avionics instrument repairman and Telephone Company Central Office Equipment Technician. He retired from Oakland Unified School District in 2012 after twenty years of service where he worked in alternative educational settings; primarily serving at-risk students who would otherwise have a difficult time succeeding in a traditional high school environment.
Eugene was the founding president of the local CSTA Golden Gate Chapter and a member of the CSTA’s Advocacy Leadership Team. Eugene was also a member of the Level Playing Field Institute’s "Broadening Participation in Computing Advisory" committee providing feedback on the development, implementation and evaluation of the BPC project.

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.

Chris Wilson supports The Hidden Genius Project as the Community Partner Programs Manager. Originally from Berkeley, CA, Chris graduated from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Africana Studies. He is passionate about serving young people in our communities and his work is guided by a deep love for the African Diaspora and the Black experience in America. Prior to this experience, Chris worked as a Program Manager for City Year Los Angeles, where he managed young adults who served students with; tier 2 support time, social & emotional development, and leadership workshops in the Watts and Inglewood communities.

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.

Gabriel is a recent graduate from San Jose State University with a degree in Human Resources. He is from Oakland and some hobbies that he enjoys while on his free time are playing basketball, going to the gym and playing video games. He is excited to be a part of the team and work within the organization. He can't wait to do his part in order to mold young Black male to their full potential.

Elizabeth is from Fresno, CA but started calling the Bay Area her home 4 years ago as a student at her alma mater the University of California, Berkeley. Here, she graduated with a Bachelor’s in History and a minor in Public Policy. Elizabeth is excited to continue calling the Bay home with her work as the Communications and Marketing Associate for The Hidden Genius Project. Elizabeth has mentored Black youth in the past during her time in college and is well versed in anything design and social media related. She believes that there are so many young Black male youth that have the potential to grow in the field of tech and entrepreneurship, and she is excited to do the work she does in order to help these youth reach their full potential.

An alum of our OAK4 cohort, Kyron Loggins is a longstanding member of the Hidden Genius family. Both a peer and mentor to our Geniuses, Kyron first joined The Hidden Genius Project in 2016 as a student of our Intensive Immersion Program, later serving as one of our senior-most youth educators, and now proudly serving in the capacity of Development Associate. He serves to champion the youth in his community, and displays his passion for furthering the opportunities of young Black men in his work with The Hidden Genius Project and his endeavors beyond, which includes community development.

James Green is a 23 year old creative from Oakland, CA. James is a passionate problem solver that sees the value in creating across many mediums. James has spent the last 5 years of his life working in startups while bringing his organization building lens to the team and educating young people coming behind him. James loves building the process of building a team and creating systems and processes in place everyone can agree to work within to achieve the same goal. James has always had a passion for the music industry and is eager to find alignment between startups, entertainment and education.

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.

Born and raised in West Oakland, CA, Eddie has devoted much of my professional career to supporting the professional and personal development of young scholars, leaders, and people alike. A graduate of the University of Oregon with a B.S in Psychology, his professional journey is driven by the need in our community to continue to be uplifted to empower his people in every way. Eddie comes to The Hidden Genius Project from San Jose State University, where he was an Academic Advisor and also has been a teacher within Oakland Unified School District. It is through this work that has aligned Eddie to be an agent of change in his community.

Damien Hosea is the Innovation Educator at The Hidden Genius Project. He describes himself as a pretty laid-back guy with a thirst to learn new things. He is currently a Senior at San Francisco State University working towards a Bachelor's in Computer Science. When he's not doing homework, he is either watching anime, playing Overwatch or Yu-Gi-Oh, or watching videos about the human mind and its inner workings. Damien is excited to join the team because he sees this as an opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of Black youth, while also empowering them to create a future that we will all be proud of.

Bio Coming Soon!

Bryce Dawson is the Community Innovation Educator at The Hidden Genius Project, He perceives himself to a pretty cool and open person. He is a 3D modeler and a video editing wiz. leveraging a unique blend of technical expertise and a passion for empowerment. His skills in curriculum development enable him to create engaging, hands-on learning experiences that inspire young minds to explore technology and entrepreneurship. When he is not working, he is watching funny videos, playing League Of Legends or Kingdom Hearts. Bryce is excited to join the team because he passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience to help uplift the lives of the future Black youth.

Alitta is a proud Oakland native, the youngest of six siblings, and a lifelong athlete. She earned her degree from the University of Southern California, where she competed on a full-ride scholarship in track and field at both the collegiate and professional levels. After sustaining an injury in 2018, she retired from the sport and eventually returned home to Oakland to pursue a long-held goal of giving back to the youth and community that raised her.

For nearly a decade, Alitta has worked in nonprofit education and advising, supporting students through their academic and personal journeys in various capacities. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her 13-year-old Maltipoo, Marley—who proudly sports locs and holds the title as her longest-standing accomplishment in caregiving.

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.

Bio coming soon!

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.

Rap lyricist and game designer, Craig Tinsley, is the Los Angeles Innovation Educator at The Hidden Genius Project. Throughout his career, Craig has worked in digital media and entertainment, soaking up a diverse skill set in quality assurance, technical writing, and digital product management along the way. Heavily inspired by hip-hop culture, physical sciences, and a wide range of animation, Craig uses his linguistic mind to oscillate between big picture ideas and fine details in order to detect opportunities to synthesize new understandings and outcomes.

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.

Nancy Taiye Aragbaye, MPA has always been an advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. Since her youth, history has always been an interest of hers. Fascinated by how communities and cities grow, she became hyper-focused on developing solutions to transform impoverished communities into thriving environments.

As a former Metro-Atlanta Teach For America Educator, She discovered a gap in the education system - a desperate need for formal business & leadership development. Since her time as an educator, she has worked with various institutions and organizations providing entrepreneurial education and leadership development to women and youth across the globe as a way to drive economic mobility within black communities.

She consults nationally and internationally with SMEs, Corporate bodies, NGOs and Governmental agencies providing fresh ideas and strategic guidance to ensure organizations obtain their desired outcomes. Her unique perspectives and strategies ultimately help organizations, refocus, re-center, and resume with increased efficiency.

In addition to her business and leadership acumen, Nancy is a Global Speaker and uses her voice to drive transformation across communities and organizations. Her versatile speaking profile enables her to empower women, youth, and business leaders across the globe. Whether she is delivering high-quality training or serving as an empowerment keynote speaker, Nancy’s ultimate goal is to leave an indelible impact on her audiences.

Nancy, now serves as the Founding Atlanta Site Director for The Hidden Genius Project. She is excited and feels privileged to have the opportunity to be back in a space that enables her to anchor her efforts in social impact work that directly impacts Black Male youth.

Shyanne is a mental health and wellness professional with a Masters Degree in Social Work from Clark Atlanta University. Throughout her career, she gained experience working with diverse and underrepresented populations both domestically and internationally.

Shyanne spent four years traveling throughout the Middle East and South East Asia working as an educator and studying various wellness practices such as healing through self-expression. Later she built a brand around art and wellness called Happy Vibes Brand to support the communities that she worked in. Today Shyanne develops programs, initiatives, and curriculums centered around wellness, communication, and DEI and is the Support Services Manager at The Hidden Genius Project.

Meet Deandre, a bright and passionate Innovative Educator at The Hidden Genius Project. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Georgia State University, Deandre has always been captivated by the world of technology. With a deep love for all things tech, he is on a mission to inspire and empower male black youth to harness the power of programming and develop exceptional character traits.
Guided by a passionate dedication to transforming lives, Deandre works hard to equip young minds with the skills they need to shape a brighter future for themselves and their communities. Through the Hidden Genius Project, he combines his expertise in computer science with a genuine passion for mentorship, fostering a strong sense of purpose and determination in the hearts of the next generation.

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.

Eric A. Steen, Jr. holds a Master's degree in Science of Education and Social Change from the University of Miami and a Bachelor of Arts in English and minor in Business Management from the University of Missouri. He has experience in education as a Director of College Counseling at Noble Charter Schools, an English/Reading Teacher at Miami Central Senior High School, a Co-Founder/Executive Director at MyStudentBlueprint, a Teach For America Corps Member in Miami Dade Region and as an AmeriCorps Member at Thomas Jefferson High School in Los Angeles. In these positions, he has gained expertise in curriculum development, college counseling, teaching, digital platform development, academic and social support for students, and literacy.

Born and raised on the East coast, Candace has spent the last decade working with Black youth in Chicago helping them to explore and realize their post-secondary dreams. Candace holds a Masters in Social Work from The University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice, with a focus in Social Service Administration and Community Schools.

As Chicago’s Support Services Manager, Candace seeks to create spaces that are inviting, nurturing and affirming for Geniuses and their families. By honoring each Geniuses’ inherent talents and gifts, Candace hopes they leave The Hidden Genius Project confident in their ability to lead and transform their communities. Her passion for working with Black youth was ignited while teaching entrepreneurship in the cities of Sekondi and Takoradi, Ghana as an undergraduate student at Babson College. This experience helped her to realize the importance of imparting invaluable skills in business creation and ownership on our Black young people in the States.

When not working with Geniuses, Candace enjoys spending time with her husband and 2-year old son, Kenzo. She enjoys moments of solitude by Lake Michigan, shopping for new candles, and exploring the many donut shops the city has to offer. She is a proud Posse New York alumnae and Surge Institute 2023 fellow.

Daryl Johnson is the Chicago Alumni Coordinator at The Hidden Genius Project. He describes himself as a visionary entrepreneur that is revolutionizing the way students and professionals network and connect in the world. With a passion for technology and a deep understanding of the evolving digital landscape, Daryl has dedicated his career to creating innovative solutions, mentoring, and life coaching. In his leisure time he enjoys spending time with family, traveling the world, and playing competitive sports. Daryl is excited to join the team because he sees this as an opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of Black Male youth, while also empowering them to create a future that as a community we can all be proud of. Through mentorship and educational outreach programs, he strives to be a key to inspire the next generation of innovators and change-makers to unlock their full potential.

Hannah is the Chicago Innovation Educator at The Hidden Genius Project. She is a dedicated professional hailing from San Diego, CA, with a passion for education and creative pursuits. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Loyola Marymount University and a Master's in Education from the University of San Diego. With five years of experience as an elementary school teacher, Hannah has proven her commitment to nurturing young minds and fostering a love for learning. Outside the classroom, Hannah finds solace in engaging in various artistic endeavors, such as painting and jewelry making. In her free time, she also enjoys cooking and cherishes moments spent with her mom and sister. Through her multifaceted interests and unwavering dedication to education, Hannah continues to make a positive impact in the lives of her students and those around her.

Trenton is an Innovation Educator at the Chicago site of The Hidden Genius Project. He is a goofy, energetic person interested in the intersection of technology and the arts. He recently graduated from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor with a Bachelor's in Computer Science. Outside of work, Trenton can be found recording or performing music, or in the audience at a live show. Trenton also enjoys history, linguistics, and psychology. Trenton is grateful he gets the chance to do work that is pro-Black.

Cydni “Beanpie” Stewart is a creative with entrepreneurial and artistic talents. Most of her time is spent building programs and cultivating ideas to spread art, therapy, and connection throughout her communities. With a background in administration and a passion for the arts, Beanpie has made her mark on the Baltimore scene by assisting and fertilizing entities that fit her vision of a better, healthier, equitable, creative Baltimore community.

A proud Balitmore native, Moriah brings invaluable experience dedicated to enhancing the lives of children and families within her community. Her passion for Baltimore runs deep, and it serves as the driving force behind her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact.

As a Certified Nonprofit Professional, Moriah has a diverse background in youth and nonprofit program development. She possesses a wealth of expertise in fostering growth and empowerment. Her skillful management of resources and extensive experience in community outreach exemplify her dedication to creating sustainable change.

In her personal time, Moriah enjoys spending time with her dog Milo, immersing herself in the pages of a captivating book, or indulging in her favorite shows. She is an avid food enthusiast, who enjoys exploring the vibrant culinary scene of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan area.

Asa Wallace is a Baltimore Innovation Educator at The Hidden Genius Project. He characterizes himself as a philomath, due to his inquisitive mind and open-mindedness. He is a graduate from Temple University with a Bachelor's in Information Science and Technology. He not only has experience working with Black youth, but he is committed to the advancement of the Black community. Aside from spending his time educating, you can find him exploring his creativity and imagination. He enjoys painting, drawing, sketching, designing, sewing, and experimenting with various art forms. Asa is thrilled to join a team of like-minded individuals that have an opportunity to inspire Black youth to explore their passions in technology, showcase their genius, and make an impact in the world.

Iverson Ruffin is an Innovation Educator for The Hidden Genius Project's Baltimore site. Hailing from North Carolina (unfortunately a Panthers fan), he attended North Carolina A&T State University, and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a B.S. in Computer Science. He has an affinity for technology and art, colliding the two roads together to explore fields such as computer science education, game design and animation.

Landon Miller is the Alumni Engagement Coordinator in Baltimore, Maryland for The Hidden Genius Project. He has dedicated his work life to investing in his community and building a better future for those coming after him. Landon is a proud graduate of the Historic Black College and University Alabama A&M University and is currently pursuing his Master's Degree in Special Education. As a father of four, he understands the importance of having a village to raise a child and thrives to be the best villager he can to impact as many as he can.

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.