2024 ANNUAL REPORT
Brandon Nicholson, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
The Hidden Genius Project
Dear Champion of The Hidden Genius Project,
As we release our 2024 Annual Report, I am deeply grateful that you would take a moment to engage with our work in the midst of such uncertain and tumultuous times. As an expression of our gratitude, we would like to regale you with hopeful stories of achievement, creativity, and leadership.
In 2024, we launched our Baltimore site, which brought our grand total to seven—joining our established Oakland, Richmond, Los Angeles, Detroit, Atlanta, and Chicago locations. While not surprising in the least, we were heartened to discover that our young people and communities throughout Baltimore are just as vibrant and dedicated as those we encounter at the remainder of our sites across the US. We also saw some exciting firsts this year, as the inaugural cohorts in Atlanta and Chicago completed their 15-month Immersion Program cycles and joined the ranks of our Alumni.
OUR PROGRAMS
INTENSIVE IMMERSION PROGRAM
Our award-winning INTENSIVE IMMERSION PROGRAM is a holistic 15-month mentorship experience that provides computer science, software development, entrepreneurship, and leadership training for Black male youth in high school. Following an application, interview, and acceptance into our program, students receive more than 800 hours of mentorship and training.
”There’s this feeling you get when you join a program with people you all have a shared interest with, and everyone looks like you; It’s that difference that makes The Hidden Genius Project so special.
Justin HullDET1 Hidden Genius Alum
EXPANDING OUR REACH
In 2024, The Hidden Genius Project launched our Intensive Immersion Program in Baltimore, MD—marking a key milestone in our five-year Strategic plan. The Baltimore cohort joins established programs in Oakland, CA; Richmond, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Detroit, MI and our inaugural cohorts in Atlanta, GA and Chicago, IL—bringing the total to seven nationwide.
NEW LOS ANGELES OFFICE
On August 8, 2024 after our first five years in Los Angeles, CA—including our first two years online—we opened the doors to our new office in Inglewood, CA.
#REVEALINGGENIUS FROM COAST TO COAST
Click the markers on the map below to see the impact of our growth nationwide.
(Zoom in using the map key to visit each city).
Looking ahead, we announced our plan and laid the groundwork to launch three additional program sites in 2025—Miami, FL; Philadelphia, PA; and Long Beach, CA.
KEY INSIGHTS & FINDINGS ABOUT OUR GENIUSES
From June 2023 to August 2024, we conducted a survey representing Geniuses across all of our sites to gather insights about their growth and development in our Intensive Immersion Program.
GOAL SETTING
Geniuses had success learning how to set goals and develop a plan to accomplish them
SELF-CONFIDENCE
Geniuses reported being proud of who they are
PATHWAYS TO COLLEGE
Geniuses understand the steps needed to get into college
NETWORK POWER
Geniuses feel they can use their professional networks to achieve personal goals
”The relationships I forged in The Hidden Genius Project don’t simply end upon [cohort] completion; instead, my mentors continue to engage me by offering advice and support, ensuring that I become the best version of myself both personally and professionally.
Micah AlleyneRICH3 Hidden Genius Alum
270,400
MENTORSHIP HOURS IN 2024
1,248,800
TOTAL MENTORSHIP HOURS SINCE 2012
# OF INTENSIVE IMMERSION PROGRAM GENIUSES BY CITY
96
Oakland, CA Geniuses
47
Richmond, CA Geniuses
48
Los Angeles, CA Geniuses
41
Detroit, MI Geniuses
40
Chicago, IL Geniuses
47
Atlanta, GA Geniuses
19
Baltimore, MD Geniuses
TOTAL # OF INTENSIVE IMMERSION PROGRAM GENIUSES IN 2024
338
Across our Oakland, CA; Richmond, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Detroit, MI; Chicago, IL; Atlanta, GA; and Baltimore, MD sites
2024 END OF SUMMER CELEBRATIONS
Our 2024 End of Summer Celebrations were held across SIX cities, highlighting the achievements of our Oakland, CA; Richmond, CA; Detroit, MI; Los Angeles, CA; Chicago, IL; Atlanta, GA; and Baltimore, MD cohorts. In the company of community, our Geniuses shined bright as they shared their hard work and innovative ideas through their final projects and business ideas.
GENIUS REVEALED
Click HERE to read countless stories of Hidden Genius Alumni who have completed our Intensive Immersion Program.
ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT
Our commitment to our Geniuses extends far beyond graduation, with a suite of dynamic programs designed to empower and uplift them throughout their personal and professional journeys. Through Hidden Genius Connect, a national platform we developed to serve as a centralized network where alumni can network, collaborate, and access valuable college and career readiness resources. We also fuel innovation and entrepreneurship through the Alumni Venture Seed Fund, helping alumni bring their bold ideas to life. And with events like our inaugural Genius 4 Life summit, we’re creating space for connection, inspiration, and collective growth.
976
TOTAL ALUMNI SERVED
2304
TOTAL ALUMNI ENGAGEMENTS
50
# OF COLLEGE READINESS EVENTS HOSTED
153
# OF COLLEGE APPS SUBMITTED
968
# OF FAMILIES SERVED
1936
TOTAL FAMILY INTERACTIONS
SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO ALUMNI
429,000
Amount of scholarships secured for Hidden Genius Alumni, to support post-secondary education
TOTAL # OF ALUMNI SERVED
493
Alumni who received support via coaching, workforce opportunities, and college advising
Through December 31, 2024
STUDENT OUTCOMES SINCE 2012
93
Student Retention Rate
For all Intensive
Immersion Program Geniuses
95
High School Graduation Rate
Geniuses eligible to
graduate high school
255
Post Secondary Education Matriculation
Geniuses that
have graduated high school
40
Major or Minor in Computer Science
Geniuses select as primary field of study
INAUGURAL GENIUS 4 LIFE SUMMIT
In June 2024, we proudly hosted our inaugural Genius 4 Life Summit in Los Angeles, CA. This inspiring event brought together alumni—from our founding cohort onward—for a dynamic weekend of workshops, networking, and shared experiences. Designed to foster continued growth and professional development while deepening community connections, the summit amplified our alumni’s impact as leaders and innovators in technology and entrepreneurship.
Take a look back at our inaugural summit filled with brotherhood and connection through our recap video. We are deeply grateful to our sponsors and career expo partners whose support helped to make this event possible.
ALUMNI VENTURE SEED FUND
Launched in 2020, our Alumni Venture Seed Fund is an ambitious five-month program designed to support a cohort of Hidden Genius Alumni seeking to launch their own businesses through every stage of early startup development. In 2024, we graduated our fourth cohort and welcomed our fifth, continuing to empower our Genius Founders with the tools, resources, and mentorship they need to launch successful businesses. Through hands-on coaching, early-stage funding, and a robust series of workshops focused on Business Ideation and Validation, Legal, Technology, Marketing, and Venture Capital, we’ve built a rigorous and dynamic environment where young innovators can turn their ideas into impactful ventures. Each year, we’re inspired by the creativity, resilience, and vision of our Genius Founders.
”The biggest thing I've learned is that you want to turn your sales pitch into a story so that it's engaging. The Alumni Venture Seed Fund has made the process of creating a pitch extremely easy.
Elijah HynsonOAK5 Hidden Genius Alum
YOUTH EDUCATORS
Through our cascading mentorship model, Hidden Genius Alumni have the opportunity to continue their growth and impact by serving as Youth Educators—empowering the next generation of Hidden Geniuses. After receiving training in partnership with the East Oakland Youth Development Center, these Youth Educators are employed to deliver content and curriculum across all of our programming, including our Catalyst and Community Partner Programs, reaching the broader community—from school-age youth to senior citizens.
61
Youth Educators Hired in 2024
137
Total Youth Educators Employed in 2024
2024 COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMMING
8
# of Community Partners
Community Partnership Programming (CPP) provides on-site, exposure-based technology workshops delivered by our Youth Educators for local youth. In 2024, The Hidden Genius Project deepened its commitment to empowering youth through CPPs serving 284 participants. These participants were reached through collaborative programming with eight dedicated partner organizations. Spanning between 4 to 16 weeks in duration, these programs provided consistent exposure to essential skills and concepts. This model continues to be a vital pathway for reaching young people outside of our Intensive Immersion program, expanding our impact and fostering sustained investment in the communities we serve.
284
# of participants
2024 CATALYST PROGRAMS
CATALYST PROGRAMS are free single- and multi-day introductory technical exposure opportunities for middle and high school students led by our Youth Educators. Programs include our Tech Slam events (hosted both nationally and internationally) and our annual Brothers Code event.
1473
# of Catalyst Program Participants Served
Click HERE for highlights from our Catalyst Programming in Senegal, in partnership with The Diambars Institute.
In 2024 we partnered with Apple’s Community Education Initiative to host a 6-week, hands-on app development workshop series for young learners at the University of Detroit Jesuit Johnson Recreation Center and Joe Louis Park in Detroit. During these workshops our Youth Educators introduced basic computer science concepts such as functions, instances, and methods using Apple’s Swift programming language. On the last day of programming, learners showcased their newfound technical skills by sharing their various app projects featuring dancing boogie bots, a custom rock-paper-scissors app, and more.
Special thanks to Apple for helping to make this community activation possible.
INAUGURAL TECH SLAM BALTIMORE
On April 12, 2024 over 100 youth joined us at Coppin State University for our inaugural Tech Slam Baltimore. Participants engaged in hands-on activities led by our Youth Educators that combined sports and technology—from coding Boogie Bots to analyzing sports footage.
A huge thank you to our incredible partners—Coppin State University, For My Kidz, Washington Wizards, Baltimore Orioles, Chick-fil-A, Kaiser, and Comcast NBCUniversal—for helping to make this event possible.
4TH ANNUAL TECH SLAM UK
In October 2024, The Hidden Genius Project returned to the United Kingdom to host our 4th annual Tech Slam UK.
Our team of Hidden Genius Alumni Youth Educators led programming across three days, serving students in London and Birmingham, in partnership with Chelsea FC Foundation, Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, Autodesk, and TEAM Inc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6J4yoxvw1A
”We're delighted to be able to host and facilitate Tech Slam UK 2024 alongside [The Hidden Genius Project]. Schools that really look forward to this year upon year, they'll come to us asking when Tech Slam will be...it's something that everyone looks forward to on their calendars. It's a real opportunity to provide real-life learning and also engagement with real-life organizations...and get to see the hands on jobs opportunities and career opportunities that are out there within the Tech/STEM world that they won't necessarily get within a schools-based education.
Sam MardleSchools Education Manager, Chelsea FC
CHELSEA FC FOUNDATION
71
Students Served
OCTOBER 8 // The Hidden Genius Project returned to Stamford Bridge for the fourth year to host Tech Slam UK. The event featured a dialogue with industry professionals, exploring career pathways in sports and technology. Immersive exhibits allowed participants to experience how tech influences sports through A.I., computer science, and material sciences. Hands-on, interactive coding activities and an introduction to tech-driven sports analytics offered attendees practical insights into the intersection of technology and sports.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FOUNDATION
76
Students Served
OCTOBER 9 // In partnership with the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, The Hidden Genius Project hosted Tech Slam UK for youth at Tottenham FC Stadium. The event featured conversations with industry professionals about career opportunities in sports and technology. Participants engaged with immersive exhibits on the role of technology in sports, exploring A.I., computer science, and material sciences. Hands-on coding workshops and an introduction to sports analytics provided attendees with a deeper understanding of how tech is transforming the sports industry.
AUTODESK // BIRMINGHAM, UK
42
Students Served
OCTOBER 9 // In partnership with Autodesk and TEAM Inc., The Hidden Genius Project hosted a design-focused workshop at Autodesk’s Birmingham location. The theme of the day explored how to make sporting events more accessible for everyone. Attendees participated in a design thinking session and hands-on activities using Fusion 360, Autodesk’s 3D modeling software. The day also included a tour of Autodesk’s shop floor, providing participants with a behind-the-scenes look at how technology is used to innovate and design products for a more inclusive world.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL
10
Students Served
OCTOBER 11 // In celebration of International Day of the Girl, The Hidden Genius Project hosted a series of interactive workshops at Stamford Bridge for young women aged 12 to 15. The event, which focused on digital technology and wellbeing, aimed to enhance the young women’s confidence, values, and education. By addressing the challenges girls face and promoting empowerment, the event provided a supportive environment where participants could learn about technology and its potential to positively impact their futures.
BRENTFORD FC
Additionally, we hosted youth-centered workshops at Brentford FC. Participants explored our Genius Lab online curriculum, introducing the fundamentals of coding and problem-solving. The event featured gaming workshops and a sports analytics workshop, where attendees learned how data and technology are revolutionizing the sports world, from performance tracking to strategy development. These sessions empowered youth with valuable skills in digital technology and sports, fostering both creativity and critical thinking while encouraging future careers in these growing fields.
57
Students Served at Brentford FC
256
TOTAL STUDENTS SERVED AT 2024 TECH SLAM UK
Special thanks to our generous sponsors and partners for helping to make this experience possible.
12TH ANNUAL BROTHERS CODE // SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2024
Our 12th Annual Brothers Code event brought together more than 300 participants of all ages across six different cities—Atlanta, GA; Baltimore, MD; Chicago, IL; Detroit, MI; Los Angeles, CA; and Oakland, CA. As always, this youth-led experience is as much about connection and community as it is about coding and computer science.
1,473
TOTAL STUDENTS THROUGH CATALYST PROGRAMS IN 2024
14,000
TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS SERVED SINCE 2012
(through December 31, 2024)
2024 marked the first full year of service at our Oakland Ubuntu Center—a creative, safe, and free out-of-school learning environment where middle and high school students of all identities can explore their own ideas, develop new skills, and build confidence in themselves through the use of technology. In addition to offering daily drop-in activities and events, our team prototyped A.I. After School workshops to introduce members to software.
370
NUMBER OF MEMBERS IN 2024
403
TOTAL NUMBER OF VISITORS IN 2024
The Ubuntu Center at The Hidden Genius Project is a Best Buy Teen Tech Center® and member of The Clubhouse Network.
POWERED BY COMMUNITY
Special thanks to all of our volunteers who supported The Hidden Genius Project both in-person and remotely.
355
NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS IN 2024
64
FULL TIME STAFF MEMBERS
137
YOUTH EDUCATORS
1
GENIUS FELLOW EDUCATOR
2024 FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Data for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.
2024 SUPPORTS
Thank you to our generous community of donors, champions, and partners who have collectively contributed to our growth and impact in 2024
$250,000+
Google.org
Comcast Foundation
Target
Salesforce Foundation
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors
& Jordan Foundation
Walmart Inc.
Patrick J. McGovern Foundation
Catalyze Challenge
JP Morgan Chase
MetLife Foundation
EY Foundation
$100,000 – $249,999
Advanced Micro Devices Inc.
Corporate Advised Fund
Best Buy Foundation
Broad Foundation
CesTRA Butner Family Foundation
Charlie Couric (and the Couric Family Fund)
Golden State Warriors Foundation
Helzel Family Foundation Fund
Humble Bundle
Illinois No. 3 Foundation
Frederic Kerrest
NBA Foundation
O’Neill Foundation
Oakland Fund for Children and Youth (OFCY)
Richmond Fund for Children and Youth
Warner Media/Blatvatnik Family Fund
Workday Foundation
$50,000 – $99,999
A Place Called Home
Chevron Richmond Refinery
Crescent Porter Hale Foundation
Disney Foundation
Hellman Foundation
Julie and Greg Flynn Family Foundation
People-People-People Foundation
United Airlines
$10,000 – $49,999
AT&T
Bonds Family Foundation
Clorox Foundation
County of Alameda
County of Solano
Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation
East Bay Community Foundation
Kenneth Englund
EY
ImpactAssets
Jewish Community Federation
Kaiser Foundation
Koret Foundation
Larry Fitzgerald Foundation
George C. Lee
Katherine McDonald
Morgan Stanley
Morris Foundation
PG&E
Nida Qadir
Quest Foundation
Michael Santos
Shauni Williams
$5,000 – $9,999
Anne and Mary Fund at the East Bay Community Foundation
East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation
Fam 1st Family Foundation
Palayam Foundation
Osborne Hardison
Jennifer Ku
Roy Maute
Self-ESTEM
Shanief Webb
Brandon Williams
$2,500 – $4,999
Ruth Barney
Charities Aid Foundation
Lynn Dodd
XactlyOne Foundation
Troy Mcalpin
Daniel McKenna
Aquil Naji
Kara Nelson
Janine O’Neill
$1,000 – $2,499
Christopher Anderson
Tara Bellamkonda
Fred Blackwell
Zachary Blum
Erica Brandse
Randolph Clark
Brian J. Conner
Maisha Draves
Mimi Enea
Enterprise Mobility Foundation
Heart and Soul Center of Light
John Horner
Jacob Emmert-Aronson Fund at the East Bay Community Foundation
Alison Kozel
Lawrence and Sherian Washington Family Foundation
Katherine Minton – Uniguest
Brandon Natteal
Noah Newdorf
Danyale Nicholson
Deanna Richardson
Mary Ann Rudd
Megan Steel
Angela Stine
Precious Stroud
Michael T Placido
The LMNRP Fund at the East Bay Community Foundation
Carolyn Troyan
Jaime Whisted (on behalf of the BENgineers)
Robert Wilkins
Sinan Yasar
$500 – $999
Gregory Allen
Malieka Bundy
Cal State East Bay
Theodore Cornelius-Adkins
Entrepreneurs Foundation
Faith Fuller
Gwen Fyfe
Ingrid Gaitan
Givinga Foundation
Marian Greenfield
Corey Junk
Michael Klausmeier
Vicky Lipscomb
Jessica Long
Matt Mason
Trisha Mason Parsad
Ervin Mathews
Kimberley McClain
Brett Moyer
Andrew Naegeli
Carter Neblett
Thaddeus Norman
Howard Owens
Sara Rankin
Derrick Richardson
Rashidah Shakir
Slafsky Family Foundation
Freda Statom-Greene
Kenneth Stone
Ashley Strain
The Brotherhood of Elders Network
Daya Vivek
Darris Young
As our opportunities to impact young lives continue to blossom,
so must grow the pool of resources we need to propel us forward.
HELP OUR GENIUSES CONTINUE TO SHINE
THEIR LIGHT BRIGHTER AND FARTHER
GIVE2GENIUS
