The Hidden Genius Project Intensive Immersion Program

Access to tech and creative industry employment

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

The Hidden Genius Project and our Intensive Immersion Program are founded upon the conviction that the lack of access and opportunities for young Black men within the technology sector must change. STEM employment opportunities have become the fastest growing jobs in the U.S, with 71% involving computing. Though the urban centers of the USA are rich with tech opportunities, young Black men represent a minute fraction of those jobs. Barriers to lucrative tech careers include challenges like lack of exposure to the sector, minimal access to tech skills training, and a lack of mentors and relevant professional networks for Black boys and men. Underneath this reality, are the circumstances that prevent Black men from being eligible for the few STEM employment opportunities that are presented towards them—lower rates of high school graduation, post-secondary matriculation, and college completion compared to their counterparts of other backgrounds.

Our Intensive Immersion Program is a 15-month, cohort-based class model in which students attend two 7-week summer sessions (5 days a week, 8 hrs a day), bridged by weekly 2-hr sessions during their academic year. To date, 120 students have matriculated through our LA program site, each receiving upwards of 800 hrs of training and support to help them think critically about their future academic/career plans & chart paths that support their long-term goals. Activities/services encapsulated in this program include:
Training in foundational problem-solving and design thinking skills and entrepreneurship through design thinking & rapid prototyping
Student-centered, project-based instruction including at least three programming languages
Field trips to local technology companies & team-building venues
Leadership development centers on discussions about race, identity, social justice, & healthy decision making and also receive coaching in goal setting, project planning, & project management
Culturally relevant, trauma-informed, & holistic care to support participating young men through various life & systemic barriers with case management and mentoring
By integrating leadership & entrepreneurship as core components, providing direct Black male mentorship, ensuring multiple programming languages are taught, offering alumni continuing support & opportunities for growth, we are investing in & ultimately changing the future of our communities.

Our organization operates on the principal of targeted universalism and a belief that a rising tide lifts all boats. Matriculation through the Intensive Immersion Programs opens students up to a wide variety of opportunities in our Alumni Engagement and Youth Educator programs designed to create spaces for our students to continue their learnings and pay them forward to their communities via teaching, business/gaming incubator, and certification opportunities. The ultimate success of our work means a Los Angeles County where more of our young Black men are given the tools, opportunities, and supports to reach their ambitions, be that as a technologist, entrepreneur, community leader, or anything beyond, and provided the space to pay that forward to their peers and neighbors in return. Our vision is that Black male youth demand and work towards a future where their genius is realized and shines every day and is no longer hidden, suppressed, or belittled. More here on our overall growth.

Since 2020, The Hidden Genius Project has seen outstanding outcomes with the young Black men at our Los Angeles Intensive Immersion Program site. To date, we've served 120 students through our Intensive Immersion Program in LA, with 95% completing the entirety of the 15 month program. Of those 114 students that successfully completely the program, we've witnessed 100% graduating high school on time, with 90% of our high school graduates in Los Angeles matriculating onto post-secondary education, primarily at 4-year institutions.
Beyond quantitative data, we gauge our impact through alumni sentiments: since 2017, we've tracked our students' growth beyond the Intensive Immersion Program in monthly 'Genius Revealed' stories. These stories provide a space for our alumni to extensively reflect on The Hidden Genius Project's effect on them. The running threads of increased confidence, newfound community, valuable new skills, and expansion in world-view can be found in each of the stories.