The Hidden Genius Project was founded in 2012 by five black male entrepreneurs/technologists who were unnerved by the dramatic juxtaposition between the high unemployment of black male youth and the plethora of career opportunities within the local technology sector.  To address this challenge, the founders established a program to connect disenfranchised, young black males with the skills, mentors, and experiences that they need to become high-performing entrepreneurs and technologists in a 21st century, global economy. The HGP seeks to reveal the true potential of black male youth and transform their communities from the inside out. Through their student-centered, project-based approach, they invest in young Black men, by giving them access to technology training and plug them into an ecosystem of inclusion and innovation

Brandon Nicholson the founding executive out of oakland,california, has always felt a deep sense of commitment to promoting equality in the public realm, particularly in the educational space. Brandon has conducted substantial research in the areas of education and youth development, with a particular focus on issues of equity and access in K-12 education for under served populations. He has considerable experience investigating linkages among race, class, and youth development.