Before landing an internship with The Golden State Warriors, which he secured with the help of The Hidden Genius Project, Evan Garrick found his passion for leadership as a member of our Oakland 9 Gold Cohort. After his older brother Owen completed the program, Evan was determined to follow in his footsteps. Despite starting the Intensive Immersion Program online due to COVID-19 precautions, he still found a strong community and brotherhood of Black male youth that he continues to keep in touch with to this day. Now, Evan is a student at Howard University studying Sports and Entertainment Law and is set to attend our second annual Genius 4 Life summit in the summer of 2025.
How have you been?
I’ve been busy, but blessed. I’m still adjusting to living on my own in college and the seasonal challenges that come from living in Washington, D.C. I’m thriving in the classroom and getting more and more involved in campus life as the years go on. I definitely miss seeing my family, which only comes during the winter and summer breaks now, but having my older brother Owen, also a Genius, as a student at Howard University with me helped my transition so much.
How did you first learn about The Hidden Genius Project?
I learned from my brother Owen, who had just completed the program when I applied, and we learned from our parents, who had a relationship with Brother Brandon [Dr. Brandon Nicholson, CEO of The Hidden Genius Project].
What was your experience in the program like?
My experience was amazing. I appreciated learning more about coding and gaining leadership skills throughout, but when I got to bond with my cohort in person after spending the first part of the program online, that became what I remembered and appreciated the most.
The biggest challenge for me was balancing the commitment of Immersion Programming with the other obligations I had during high school, specifically high school football and basketball. Trying to effectively communicate with my cohort and coaches, and learning how to become better throughout, was a great lesson for me in the program.
Describe the final project you created during your time in the Immersion Program.
My project surrounded improving the exposure and representation of high school student athletes, especially in the classroom. I wanted to create a program that essentially exposed student athletes to careers beyond professional sports and the different opportunities that could present themselves post-grad, such as higher education and trade school.
How is The Hidden Genius Project different from other mentorship or training experiences that you have been involved in?
The family aspect was the most significant. Being a part of a program of young Black men who all have high aspirations and high capabilities, who will push you and expect great things from you, not only instills even more confidence but hope for our community, for our people. I certainly take pride in seeing how far the program has come, how many cities it is now impacting, and that it all started in my hometown.
What specific skills learned in The Hidden Genius Project have been most beneficial for you?
Patience and communication. I learned how to communicate my schedule with the program coordinators, and how to to find common ground in full participation in the program, as well as other commitments outside of it. I also learned to take responsibility for lack of communication, or not being on time, being where I said I would be when, and knowing how to show care and improve from that point. In terms of patience, this applied to learning coding. Just being patient in the process of understanding code and JavaScript, which was a new concept for me at the time, a struggle I had to continue embracing and overcoming.
But one of the most important things I gained on a personal level was the relationships for sure. Even now I still keep in contact with people at The Hidden Genius Project, having just asked Brandon to help put in a good word for me in my Golden State Warriors Internship application. There is a reason I continue contacting fellow cohort members and mentors, why I will continue going to summits and alumni conferences every chance I get.
How do you think your path might have been different if you hadn’t participated in The Hidden Genius Project?
I might’ve struggled a little later in my professional journey with the skills I felt I gained through this program, like effective communication and time management, which I am grateful for going through at that specific time in life. I feel the older you get, the less likely you are to change bad habits, and so I felt that was the perfect time to learn more about myself and how I can grow.
I think so much personal growth has taken place since before the program, a lot that would have happened just naturally, so I think in that aspect so much is different. I have matured and grown in so many ways, more confident and clear about who I am and who I want to become.
In what ways have you remained involved with The Hidden Genius Project since completing the 15-month Intensive Immersion program?
The Genius 4 Life Summit is a big way I have stayed involved, as I went to the first annual one at Universal Studios last summer, and will be returning again in a few months. Most of my involvement comes through connections made in the program, connecting with former staff and cohort brethren, whether it be possible collaborations or just checking in on them. I remember getting a call in the middle of October from a brother I hadn’t spoken to in years, who said they just wanted to check in on me and hope I’m doing well for myself. That is again what separates this program from any internship or professional experience. This carries over for as long as you allow it to.
In what ways has the staff of The Hidden Genius Project continued to support you since graduating from the program?
From just what I shared, checking in via phone or social media, or even emailing about different opportunities they feel I might be interested in. Sometimes it’s not even what they have done and continue to do, but knowing that The Hidden Genius Project is always going to be there is reassuring and warms my heart. I can go months without talking to a brother, but he will pick up when I call and does his best to help me.
If you could talk to yourself just before you applied, what is one thing you would say?
Enjoy every moment. The program went by so fast, especially the summer I got to participate in person following the pandemic. The lunches, playing basketball with all the guys, field trips to Salesforce and corporate spaces; I didn’t realize how much fun I was having until it ended. My closest brothers in the program still talk about the memories. It is definitely bittersweet to think about, and something I will always hold near and dear to my heart.
What words of encouragement do you have for future Geniuses?
Don’t ever give up. You’d be surprised what persistence and prayer can do in your life. It is true that life may seem to only get harder, but it is truly a matter of perspective. You can only limit yourself to what you allow that limit to be. There are endless opportunities out there; there is always another internship, another job, another school to apply to, but you must keep trying. I still fear failure and denial, but I have faith in God that he will always steer me on the right path, as long as I keep persevering.
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.
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