Meet Malieka Bundy, Genius Alum parent and all-star volunteer. Volunteering with us for the first time at our Oakland Interview Day in 2018, she has been a champion of our mission for over 7 years. Keep reading to learn about Malieka’s journey as a volunteer for The Hidden Genius Project.
How did you first find out about The Hidden Genius Project?
A friend told me about the program when her son was in the Immersion Program. She suggested my son, Ian (Oakland 5 Cohort), apply. My son also had attended the Bay Area Brothers Code a year or so before he applied to the program.
What are some recent events you volunteered at with The Hidden Genius Project?
I recently volunteered at the 2025 Richmond Interview Day and the Bay Area Brothers Code last December. For both events, I participated in a general volunteer capacity, doing tasks wherever I was needed.
What motivates you to stay connected and committed to supporting Geniuses through your work here?
I have watched the program expand and grow, and I am motivated to support the continued realization of the vision of the program in any way I can. The growing network of Genius Alumni is exciting. Working in tech, the mission of The Hidden Genius Project has personal relevance to me, and I want to contribute to the future they are building. I am acutely aware of the importance of having a network like this.
Can you share a specific moment or story during your volunteer experience that was particularly meaningful to you?
Being an Interview Day interviewer is meaningful to me, though I can’t choose one interview or event that is more meaningful to me over the others. Participating in the interview process gives me an opportunity to frame the experience for the applicants, not as a test of wrong or right, but as a moment where they simply need to share and showcase their capabilities and their authentic selves.
Why do you think it is important to volunteer and stay connected to your community?
Helping my community has a great impact that spans beyond myself and the community I serve. Volunteering gives me the opportunity to be a resource, especially when sharing my experience and knowledge from my experience in technology could empower or inform someone. Staying connected to my community helps me maintain my awareness of how best I can contribute.
What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about volunteering in a mentorship or leadership capacity?
I have been a volunteer in many capacities for many organizations for most of my life. Though I understand how I benefit from it, I know that my energy and effort can support programs like The Hidden Genius Project, which is transforming so many things for so many people and continues to grow in its influence and impact. I encourage anyone and everyone to volunteer, because with a few hours or days spent volunteering, the collective of all our efforts is impactful.
Editor’s Note: Malieka’s son, Ian Bundy-Weiss, recently graduated from California State University, Long Beach, and now works as an Innovation Educator for our newly established Long Beach Site.