When Adrian Buttram (Oakland Gold 11 Cohort) first heard about The Hidden Genius Project from his father, he never imagined it would become one of the most transformative experiences of his life. “Being surrounded by brothers, learning, and most of all, people willing to invest in me…This was an opportunity that changed the trajectory of my life forever.” Now a rising senior at Hayward High School, Adrian stays connected with The Hidden Genius Project as a Youth Educator. For him, it’s more than a program, it’s a community that continues to help shape his future.
How have you been?
I’ve been doing great, learning a lot, and being busy. I’m heading into my senior year of high school, a very exciting time for me. I’m looking forward to what this upcoming year has in store for me.
How did you first learn about The Hidden Genius Project?
I learned about The Hidden Genius Project from my dad. I was in eighth grade when he came to me and said he heard of an amazing program called The Hidden Genius Project that he wanted me to join. Being younger, I was hesitant at first, especially after hearing about the 15-month commitment, but as he talked more about it, I got even more excited, and I realized I wanted this for myself, not just because someone wanted me to.
What was your experience in the program like?
My experience in the program was eye-opening to say the least. I just moved to the Bay Area from Tracy, California, and it was a huge culture shock, especially the diversity. Being in the program was amazing because it surrounded me with people who not only looked like me, but also had aspirations such as myself.
Something that started off as “this sounds cool, let’s do this,” truly became a core part of my life. Being surrounded by brothers, learning, and most of all, people willing to invest in me, I was given the opportunity to discover myself in a new crowd, and a platform to just be me without worry. This was an opportunity that changed the trajectory of my life forever.
Tell me about some of the challenges you’ve faced while in The Hidden Genius Project? How did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge I had in the program was ME. I would tend to get comfortable, slack off, and not take full advantage of the opportunities I was given. Thankfully, I had mentors and people around me who believed in me and continuously pushed to keep me on the right path.
Describe the final project you created during your time in the Immersion Program.
My final project was an AI chatbot. It had features such as speech-to-text and text-to-speech. I was inspired by J.A.R.V.I.S., Iron Man’s AI assistant, the rapid evolution of AI, and how it was becoming an everyday tool people used, turning what seemed to be only a dream into real life. The thought of my own AI assistant like Tony Stark’s was becoming a reality, and the process of learning how AI even works was very inspiring. AI has continued to grow, and I’m glad I got some experience in that field.
How is The Hidden Genius Project different from other mentorship or training experiences that you have been involved in?
The Hidden Genius Project is different because it’s not just training you in computer science, but training you for life. They teach life skills, what it means to be a Black man in America, what it’s like to be in the tech world, business, etc. But, most of all, they help you get your ideas off the ground.
What specific skills learned in The Hidden Genius Project have been most beneficial for you?
An important skill The Hidden Genius Project helped me learn and refine was networking. We would go on business trips, and that allowed me to meet people from different industries and connect with them. It also gave me a platform to see what business operations look like, and learn about the day-to-day lives of employees in different industries.
How do you think your path might have been different if you hadn’t participated in The Hidden Genius Project?
It’s hard to think about how my path would be if I wasn’t part of The Hidden Genius Project. The program has played such a pivotal role in my life; it makes it incredibly hard to imagine where I would be without it. I’ve been blessed with plenty of opportunities, a family that loves and cares about me, and ultimately, people who are willing to invest in me. They have given me more than I could ever ask for, but I think if I didn’t step into that world, I would be a lot less developed than I am now, and still finding my footing on the path I want to take.
In what ways have you remained involved with The Hidden Genius Project since completing the 15-month Intensive Immersion program?
After my time in the program, I’ve been incredibly active. [Staying in touch with The Hidden Genius Project] I’ve participated in events such as Brothers Code, the Superbowl breakfast, the actual Superbowl courtesy of the NFL, Lakefest 2026, our collaborative program with OpenAI [supported by OpenAI Co-founder Greg Brockman], etc. I’m also a Youth Educator and taught in our applied AI track within the Immersion Program. I try to support as much as I can because, to me, this isn’t a job or a program, it’s my family, and I try my hardest to take care of them to the best of my ability.
In what ways has the staff of The Hidden Genius Project continued to support you since graduating from the program?
Our staff always goes above and beyond to support me. Anytime I have any questions on college, tech, coding, business, the team is more than inclined to help me with anything I may need. Giving me access to resources and opportunities I didn’t know existed.
If you could talk to yourself just before you applied, what is one thing you would say?
I would tell myself to take advantage of what I’m learning to the fullest capacity and fully absorb everything around me. Being in the program was amazing, and I learned a lot, but the one thing I could have done better was to take it a little bit more seriously. Being younger, I got absorbed into the fun aspects of the program and, at times, I would slack off a bit.
What words of encouragement do you have for future Geniuses?
Take full advantage of the opportunities you’re presented and accept every one you’re offered. This program can provide as much as you allow it to, so take it seriously. Even after your fifteen months, stay active in the organization and give back. It’s important to give back and, in return, you’ll get back tenfold—even though that’s not the point of giving back.
Since 2012, nearly 11,400 students have revealed their genius through our Immersion, Catalyst, and Community Partner Programs, and so many more are waiting to shine.
HELP NEW GENIUSES STEP INTO THE SPOTLIGHT.
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