Introduction to The Hidden Genius Project

The Hidden Genius Project is an organisation whose mission is to mentor and train Black male youth in entrepreneurship, technology creation, and leadership. Though based in the US, I first encountered the organisation at London’s Black Tech Fest 2023, where I was introduced to their impactful work and mission.

The Immersion Programme

One of the key ways The Hidden Genius Project fulfils its mission is through a 15-month Immersion Programme for Black male high school students. This programme includes an intensive summer session, during which I had the privilege of joining the team as a volunteer intern. I supported the programme for five days a week while primarily based at a Boys and Girls Club in Atlanta, helping to make a direct impact on the lives of the students.

Why Atlanta?

Atlanta, often referred to as a ‘Black Silicon Valley,’ is known for its vibrant Black culture and rapidly growing tech industry—making it a perfect location for. one of  The Hidden Genius Project's sites. The city was also a deeply fulfilling location for me to carry out my Leadership in Action project, as it provided a backdrop of events and movements so influential to American history.

My Role and Responsibilities

During my time in Atlanta, my main focus was to assist with the day-to-day operations at the programme, supporting the site manager, Nancy Taiye Aragbaye, and the rest of the team. My tasks included observing classroom activities, participating in leadership discussions, and applying my coding skills to support the teaching efforts led by the youth educators. The students, or ‘geniuses,’ worked with programming languages such as Python, HTML, and C++, developing functions, building websites, and exploring their interests in business and game development. I was also fortunate enough to  gain an understanding of the behind-the-scenes operations of a non-profit when attending board meetings with Nancy.

Each year group had different focuses depending on the individual geniuses' interests, with some choosing to pursue business pathways while others concentrated on coding, technology and gaming. I was able to support these efforts by helping monitor transition times, ensuring safety in high-risk areas, serving meals, and engaging with the geniuses around their goals and aspirations.

Site Visits and Industry Exposure

A major highlight of my experience was assisting with site visits to companies like AutoDesk and Google, where the geniuses were hosted and exposed to potential careers in the tech industry. These visits were invaluable in broadening their understanding of what their futures could hold within the technology and business sectors.

Witnessing Growth and Talent

I was consistently impressed by the knowledge and enthusiasm of the geniuses, witnessing first-hand the progress they made in their coding and business skills over the course of my stay. Many geniuses displayed remarkable talents, from excelling in social media to creating manga illustrations. It was rewarding to encourage and support them in these pursuits.

Leadership Skills

Throughout this experience, I developed a variety of skills, most notably in social and cultural awareness within the United States. I had the chance to deepen my understanding of Black history, the significance of civil rights activists from Atlanta, and the historical context behind events like Juneteenth. I also enjoyed exploring the unique delicacies of the southern United States.

In addition, presenting in front of the geniuses helped me sharpen my public speaking skills. Ensuring my communication was clear, engaging, and effective was particularly important, especially while working in a different cultural environment.

Lastly, I saws an improvement in my teamwork and collaboration skills. With nearly 50 geniuses on site, it was crucial for the staff to stay organised, track their movements, and ensure safety. We relied heavily on communication tools like walkie-talkies, but by the end of the programme, our team worked so seamlessly that we could coordinate with just a glance!

Reflection

A massive thank you to The Hidden Genius Project, the Atlanta team, and the geniuses themselves for making this such an insightful and fulfilling experience. I hope to work with you all again in the future. Additionally, thanks to the Laidlaw Foundation for supporting me on this incredible  journey!