The Hidden Genius Project

The Hidden Genius Project offers a 15-month Intensive Immersion Program where Black male high school students take part in coding, web and app design, team building, and more than 800 hours of mentorship and training in computer science, software development, entrepreneurship, and leadership. The program also includes introductory workshops and events led by Youth Educators for youth of color, as well as on-site, exposure-based technology workshops delivered by Youth Educators for local youth. Since 2012, the organization has taught 250+ young men of color code and has delivered 1,248,800 hours of direct training to 18,000 students.

• Ages: 14–18 years old
• Schedule: 15-month Intensive Immersion Program

The Hidden Genius Project is a national nonprofit organization founded in Oakland in 2012 by five Black male entrepreneurs and technologists. Its mission is to train and mentor Black male youth in technology creation, entrepreneurship, and leadership skills to transform their lives and communities. Community Partnership Programming provides on-site, exposure-based technology workshops for local youth, and Catalyst Programming offers introductory workshops and events led by Youth Educators for youth of color. The organization operates the Oakland Ubuntu Center as a free, drop-in tech space for youth and is involved with community partners and events such as the Black Education Expo.

The leadership team includes Brandon Nicholson, Ph.D. (Chief Executive Officer); Tariq Norris (Chief Finance and Operations Officer); Mounir Tyler, LCSW (Chief Programs Officer); Hodari Tourè, Ph.D. (Chief Innovation Officer); Kayla Mason, MSW (Vice President of Programs); Kyjeila Latimer, Ph.D. (Learning & Evaluation Director); Kristina Hardy (Curriculum Director); Brieana Johnson (Pedagogy Director); Pete Haviland-Eduah (Communications Director); and Rayna Lett (Support Services Director). Staff credentials include backgrounds in education research and evaluation, organizational development, youth development, clinical social work, curriculum and pedagogy, large-scale evaluation, teaching and mentoring, communications, and youth and family programming.

The Hidden Genius Project was a 2023 Honoree of the Walter Kaitz Foundation Social Impact Award. Media coverage and testimonials describe the program’s focus on coding, web and app design, strong peer connections, mentorship, and STEM skills for young Black men, including features and quotes from outlets such as The New York Times, KQED, Mashable, CBC, Ebony, SF Gate, GISUSER, and MSNBC, as well as from an OAK2 Hidden Genius alum and Youth Educator.

Last updated June 21, 2026.