Young technologists from the organization’s Richmond cohort spend a day flying drones, touring facilities, and exploring careers in robotics with one of the industry’s leading innovators
July 2, 2026 SAN MATEO, CA—Today, 24 Geniuses from The Hidden Genius Project’s Richmond cohort spent the day at Skydio, the San Mateo company known for its autonomous drone technology. The visit gave the young technologists a full day inside a working technology company, including a facility tour, lunch with Skydio staff, small-group sessions with the team, and a closing question-and-answer conversation.
The high point came when the Geniuses took the controls themselves. They flew Skydio’s X10 drones outside and piloted the R10 through a demonstration house built on site, moving from the concepts they have studied in the program to real flight time with the products an industry leader builds every day.
“When our young people get to put their hands on real technology and talk directly with the engineers behind it, something shifts,” said Dr. Brandon Nicholson, CEO of The Hidden Genius Project. “They reinforce their understanding that they are the central protagonists of future innovation, and avoid seeing impactful technology development as something that happens somewhere else, to other people, and start seeing themselves in it. That is exactly what days like this are about. We are grateful to Skydio for opening their doors and treating our Geniuses as the technologists and future leaders they already are.”
Q&A for Context
What does a visit like this mean for the young people in the program?
Exposure changes what young people believe is possible for themselves. Many of the Geniuses have spent the program building websites, apps, games, and A.I. systems. A day inside a company like Skydio lets them connect that work to a tangible career, see the people doing it, and ask the questions that turn curiosity into ambition.
“Our Richmond Geniuses have been building and problem-solving all program long,” said Janay Osborne, Richmond Site Director at The Hidden Genius Project. “To bring them somewhere like Skydio, where they can fly the drones and see how this technology comes together, makes everything they have learned feel real. They walk away knowing these careers are open to them.”
How does this fit into The Hidden Genius Project’s approach?
The Hidden Genius Project trains and mentors Black male youth through a 15-month, 800-hour Intensive Immersion Program rooted in hands-on, project-based learning. Industry visits like this one extend that approach beyond the classroom, giving Geniuses direct contact with the companies, tools, and people shaping the future of technology, and reinforcing that their skills belong in those rooms.
What happens next?
The Hidden Genius Project and Skydio plan to continue building on this partnership, including the possibility of making the visit an annual event for future cohorts. For the Geniuses who attended, the day adds to a growing set of real-world experiences that connect their training to the careers ahead of them.
Photos and video for media use can be found here.
About The Hidden Genius Project
Founded in 2012 by five Black male entrepreneurs and technologists, The Hidden Genius Project is a national nonprofit organization that trains and mentors Black male youth in technology creation, entrepreneurship, and leadership skills. Using a targeted universalism approach, the organization focuses on the specific experiences and barriers facing Black male youth while advancing a broader vision of opportunity, innovation, and economic mobility for all communities. Beyond direct programming, The Hidden Genius Project serves as an intermediary that brings together young people, schools, employers, public agencies, funders, and community partners to align resources and expand access to technology pathways. Through this work, the organization helps cultivate the next generation of leaders, creators, and problem-solvers equipped to shape their futures and strengthen their communities. Learn more at www.thehiddengeniusproject.org.
About Skydio
Skydio is the largest U.S.-based drone manufacturer and world leader in flying robots, leveraging breakthrough artificial intelligence to create drones that are easier to operate, safer to fly, and more capable in complex environments. Skydio systems are trusted by more than 4,000 agencies and organizations across the U.S. and allied militaries, public safety, and critical infrastructure sectors. Skydio designs, assembles, and supports its products in the U.S. from its headquarters in San Mateo, California. For more information, follow Skydio on LinkedIn or visit skydio.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Pete Haviland-Eduah, Communications Director, The Hidden Genius Project
pete@hiddengeniusproject.org
518-368-5576