TIMOTHY HAMP II, RICH6

Timothy Hamp II (Richmond 6 Cohort) first learned about The Hidden Genius Project while looking for opportunities to grow his skills in technology, business, and leadership. Now a freshman at Howard University studying accounting, he reflects on the growth he’s achieved, sharing his realization that “growth comes from being willing to struggle with something instead of avoiding it.”

Timothy continues to stay involved with The Hidden Genius Project as a Youth Educator, helping the next generation of geniuses experience their own growth. He also remains committed to developing “Non-Stop Recruiting,” a sports recruiting platform he created during the Intensive Immersion Program. Through his app, he aims to provide student athletes with affordable recruiting solutions, help connect them with coaches, and offer academic support through tutoring resources.

How have you been?
I have been doing well and adjusting to a major new chapter in my life. I recently started college at Howard University, where I am majoring in accounting, so I have been focused on getting comfortable with my classes, meeting new people, and building good habits. My family has continued to support me through the transition, and I have also been balancing school with internships and other professional opportunities. Overall, life has been busy, but I am excited about the direction I am heading.

How did you first learn about The Hidden Genius Project?
I first learned about The Hidden Genius Project while I was looking for opportunities that would help me grow in technology, business, and leadership. What stood out to me was that the program was specifically focused on helping young Black men develop skills and become leaders in their communities. I decided to apply because I wanted to challenge myself and be around other motivated people my age. Looking back, applying was one of the most important decisions I made during high school.

What was your experience in the program like?
I loved The Hidden Genius Project mainly because of the leadership and entrepreneurship experiences. The program helped me discover that I wanted to pursue business, and I am now studying accounting at Howard University while continuing to have a strong interest in African American history and studies. The Black history lessons strengthened my appreciation for African American history, while the business track helped me discover my love for entrepreneurship. Some of my favorite moments were developing business ideas, visiting companies, learning from mentors, and being surrounded by other young Black men who were pushing themselves to grow.

Tell me about some of the challenges you’ve faced while in The Hidden Genius Project? How did you overcome them?
One challenge I faced was learning how to stay focused and apply myself in areas that did not come as naturally to me, especially technology. I was very social and outgoing, so at times I was more comfortable connecting with people than sitting down and working through difficult technical problems. I overcame that by asking questions, learning from the people around me, and continuing even when I did not understand something immediately. That experience taught me that growth comes from being willing to struggle with something instead of avoiding it.

Describe the final project you created during your time in the Immersion Program.
The final project I created in The Hidden Genius Project was a sports recruiting platform called Non-Stop Recruiting. The idea came from seeing how difficult and expensive the recruiting process can be for student-athletes who need more exposure and guidance. The business is designed to provide affordable recruiting support, including athlete profiles, help connecting with coaches, and academic support through tutoring resources. The project still means a lot to me because I am now in college and want to continue developing it into a real business that can help athletes.

How is The Hidden Genius Project different from other mentorship or training experiences that you have been involved in?
The Hidden Genius Project was different because it was not focused on only one skill or one short-term goal. It combined technology, entrepreneurship, leadership, Black history, brotherhood, and personal development into one experience. I was also surrounded by other young Black men who were motivated to build something for themselves and their communities, which made the environment feel different from a normal class or internship. The relationships with staff and other Geniuses made the program feel like a community rather than simply a training program.

What specific skills learned in The Hidden Genius Project have been most beneficial for you?
Leadership has been one of the most beneficial skills I developed through The Hidden Genius Project. I learned that leadership is not just being the loudest person in the room; it is about communicating, listening, taking responsibility, and helping other people succeed. I later had opportunities to teach and work with younger students, which forced me to put those lessons into practice. Those experiences have helped me become more confident when working with teams in school, business, internships, and other professional environments.

Entrepreneurship taught me how to take an idea and think about the actual problem it is supposed to solve. Through the program, I learned about business models, pitching, customers, value propositions, and how technology can support a business. Those skills directly helped me create Non-Stop Recruiting and gave me the confidence to continue working on it beyond the program. They have also influenced my decision to study Accounting because I want to understand the financial side of building and operating successful businesses

What was the most important thing you gained on a personal level from particpating in The Hidden Genius Project?
The most important thing I gained personally was a community of people who wanted to see me succeed. Being around other young Black men with different talents and goals showed me the importance of brotherhood, collaboration, and learning from the people around me. I also became more confident in my ability to contribute ideas, lead, and build something meaningful. The program helped me understand that my success can also be used to create opportunities for other people.

How do you think your path might have been different if you hadn’t participated in The Hidden Genius Project?
Without The Hidden Genius Project, I do not think I would have discovered my interest in business as early or as deeply as I did. I may not have created Non-Stop Recruiting, and I probably would have entered college with less experience in entrepreneurship, technology, leadership, and professional environments. The program helped me connect my interests in sports and business to a larger purpose. It also gave me experiences that helped shape what I want to study and what I eventually want to build.

When you imagine yourself before starting The Hidden Genius Project, what’s different between that version of you and the current version?
Before the program, I was outgoing and ambitious, but I did not have the same understanding of how to turn my interests into real opportunities. Today, I am more confident in professional spaces, more comfortable presenting my ideas, and more intentional about networking and building relationships. I also understand business and leadership at a much deeper level than I did when I started. The biggest difference is that I now think more seriously about how the skills I learn can be used to create something that lasts.

In what ways have you remained involved with The Hidden Genius Project since completing the 15-month Intensive Immersion program?
I have remained involved by continuing to represent the values and skills I learned in the program and by taking on opportunities to support younger students. One of the most meaningful ways I stayed connected was serving as a Youth Educator, where I was able to help teach business concepts and work with students who were close to my age. That experience allowed me to move from being a participant to being someone who could give knowledge back to the community. I also continue to apply what I learned through my college studies, internships, networking, and work on Non-Stop Recruiting.

In what ways has the staff of The Hidden Genius Project continued to support you since graduating from the program?
The staff has continued to be a source of encouragement, mentorship, and opportunities even after I completed the Immersion Program. They have created an environment where I can stay connected to the organization and continue developing professionally and personally. Being able to return as a Youth Educator also showed me that the relationship does not end when the program ends. I know I can continue learning from the staff while also giving back to future Geniuses.

If you could talk to yourself just before you applied, what is one thing you would say?
I would tell myself to apply myself even more and take advantage of every part of the program. I was very outgoing and social, but I wish I had spent even more time building closer relationships with everyone, including the staff, and developing my technology skills. My technology skills are solid, but technology is only becoming more important in business and everyday life. I would tell my younger self to be curious, ask more questions, and get as much as possible out of every opportunity.

What words of encouragement do you have for future Geniuses?
My advice to future Geniuses is to take the program seriously and understand that you will get out of it what you put into it. Talk to the staff, build real relationships with the other Geniuses, ask questions, and do not be afraid to struggle with something new. You may enter the program thinking you already know what you want to do, but stay open because one lesson, project, or relationship can completely change your direction. Most importantly, use what you learn not only to improve yourself, but also to help the people and communities around you.