The Hidden Genius Project Supports Geniuses Beyond the 15-Month Intensive Immersion Program

The Hidden Genius Project has been leading the way to close the equality gap in tech and empowering a new generation of game-changers by activating, connecting, and mobilizing Black male youth to fuel their participation and leadership in the innovation economy. Over the years, the organization has become well known as a leader in supporting high school-aged Black male youth. Yet, The Hidden Genius Project also continues to develop its alumni whose ages now range from 17 to 22, providing professional development to our alumni to support their transition into higher education and the workforce. 

The Hidden Genius Project eagerly seeks partnerships that will support our young men and their interests by way of college readiness, internships, and fee-for-service opportunities — developing their skillsets for success in the infinite directions where their passions may lead them.

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED:

  1. Sponsor college readiness efforts

  2. Hire and help place our alumni as interns and or partner for apprenticeships 

  3. Leverage The Hidden Genius Project’s project-based contracting

COLLEGE READINESS EFFORTS

The Hidden Genius Project has invested resources to obtain full-time college and career readiness advisors through its partnership with the University of California Berkeley’s Center for Educational Partnerships (CEP). The added capacity that the College and Career Readiness Advisors bring expands the support and services that all Geniuses, current and alumni, receive from the moment they join the program.

In the summer, Geniuses are given an individualized success plan that is continuously re-calibrated as passions and interests continue to evolve. As a result of this added support, more than 95% of our Genius Alumni are graduating high school ***(in comparison to the 69% national average amongst black students) and 95% of those Alumni are enrolling in post-secondary academic opportunities (255 alumni in total). Fewer than 20% of incoming Geniuses (Black male high school students) in our Intensive Immersion Program have taken a computer science course before, but over 40% of our alumni go on to major or minor in Computer Science (or related fields), while an additional 14% go on to major or minor in Business (or related fields).

Check out some of these stats from our 2021-2022 College Access Mid-Year Report

***The Hidden Genius Project graduated 29 of 29 (100%) alumni high school seniors as part of the 2021 class and are projecting to do the same in 2022

APPLY TO SPONSOR OUR YOUTH

  • Sponsors provide Geniuses with ongoing professional coaching, access to industry events, and connections to extended networks.
  • Sponsorships are a two-year commitment
  • Requirements to be a Sponsor include but are not limited to:
    • The business/person must be lawfully operating;
    • The business/person must not have any adverse information recorded against it
  • Sponsors serve as professional referrals and advocates for Geniuses
  • Click HERE to check out our College Access Support Proposal

HIRE AN INTERN or APPRENTICE

Data overwhelmingly shows positive employee-retention figures for companies offering internships. According to a 2009 NACE survey, nearly 40% of employers showed a higher five-year retention rate among employees they hired through their internship programs. Hidden Genius Alumni have garnered 91 internship placements at top companies in the last four years (ie.  EA, Uber, Kaiser, Autodesk, United Air, CBS interactive to name a few). These internships help the Geniuses’ abilities to develop, hone and put into action professional skills that promote growth and development, while at the same time, supports early brand recognition opportunities for companies looking to turnover new valuable talent.