The Hidden Genius Project

www.hiddengeniusproject.org

Grades 9–10 Grades 11–12 Postsecondary

The Hidden Genius Project trains and mentors Black male youth in technology creation, entrepreneurship, and leadership skills to transform their lives and communities. Our vision - Black male youth demand, and are working towards, a future where their genius is celebrated, realized, and shines every day and is no longer hidden, suppressed or belittled. The Hidden Genius Project, a national nonprofit organization, was founded in Oakland 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 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.

ORGANIZATION TYPE

Non-Profit Operator

STUDENTS SERVED

1000+

GEOGRAPHIC REACH

National

LOCALE(S) SERVED

Urban

WBL SERVICE MODELS

Career Fair / Career Day, Industry Speaker, Workplace Tour, Career Counseling / Assessments, Internship, Cooperative Work Experience, Youth Apprenticeship, Apprenticeship, Service Learning

DELIVERY MODALITY

Community-based

TYPICAL DURATION

Long-term

SCHOOL-BASED TIMING

After-school, Summer

COMPENSATION TYPE

Paid, Stipend

STAKEHOLDERS SERVED

Basic Career Exploration Tools, Educators, Employers, Families, Navigational Resources For Families/Caregivers, Professional, State Education Agency, Students

LANGUAGE SUPPORT

English Only

TARGETED POPULATIONS

Underrepresented Minorities

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS

CAREER CLUSTERS ALIGNMENT

Cross-cutting Cluster, Digital Technology, Education, Management & Entrepreneurship

FUNDING MODEL

School Budgets, Grants, Earned Revenue, Philanthropy

SIMILAR PROVIDERS

Craft Education

Nationwide

National

crafteducation.com

Craft enables fund braiding across government resources– eg, Pell/Title IV, WIOA, CTE/Perkins, SAEF/apprenticeship, etc.– to develop earn-and-learn pathways for underserved learners.

Available in: Nationwide

grades 11–12 postsecondary

Launchpad Philly

Local

launchpadphilly.org

Launchpad Philly offers a learn-and-earn pathway that supports high school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates as they prepare for careers in the tech sector. Students build technical and professional skills through a combination of college-level coursework, employer-led projects, paid work experiences, and apprenticeship-style training after graduation. The program blends school-based learning, hands-on challenges, and paid opportunities that help young people transition into living-wage digital careers.

grades 11–12 postsecondary

Boston Private Industry Council

Local

bostonpic.org

The Boston Private Industry Council (PIC) is the city’s workforce development board and a school-to-career intermediary that connects students and job seekers to meaningful career pathways. Partnering with Boston Public Schools, employers, community organizations, and higher education institutions, the PIC helps young people explore careers, secure paid work experiences, and transition successfully to postsecondary education and employment. For adults, the PIC strengthens the workforce system, expands access to training, and aligns employer needs with talent pipelines. Through these efforts, the PIC works to build a more inclusive, skilled, and economically vibrant Boston where residents can advance and employers can thrive.

grades 9–10 grades 11–12