The Hidden Genius Project — a transformative nonprofit dedicated to developing Black male youth in technology, leadership, and entrepreneurship — has flourished through its participation in the East Bay Community Foundation’s (EBCF) ASCEND: Black-Led Organizations (BLO). As ASCEND: BLO develops Black leaders, those leaders turn around and support the Black community at large.
In 2018, The Hidden Genius Project became a part of EBCF’s inaugural ASCEND: BLO Accelerator cohort to expand programming for stable organizations. Hidden Genius’s leadership team engaged in monthly meetings, capacity-building workshops, and networking opportunities with other Black leaders, as well as receiving funding from EBCF.
“This experience truly inspired our leaders to advance towards growth and authentic leadership,” reflected Brandon Nicholson, Hidden Genius CEO. “The multi-year funding support gave us confidence to operate core programming while exploring expansion opportunities.”
As a result, The Hidden Genius Project scaled its operations from two Bay Area sites to Los Angeles and eventually to seven locations nationwide to advance the education and leadership of young Black men.
For Nicholson, ASCEND: BLO’s creation of a safe space for Black leaders to share challenges, brainstorm solutions, and support one another was invaluable. He noted that Black leaders often face inequities, even when serving their own communities with “proximate leadership”—a term highlighting leaders’ shared experiences and connections to the communities they serve.
“Having a safe Black space is critical,” Nicholson emphasized. “It allows leaders to exchange information, encourage each other, and navigate the fraught road to sustainable impact.” This gave their team the support it needed to stay true to their vision while navigating the systemic challenges that often burden Black-led organizations.
Deeply aligned with the principles of ASCEND: BLO, The Hidden Genius Project’s mission is providing safe spaces and resources for growth. Just as ASCEND: BLO creates an environment for Black leaders to thrive, Hidden Genius fosters spaces where young Black men can develop their potential in technology. Black men face systemic barriers in the tech field due to racial bias, limited access to STEM education, and discriminatory hiring practices.
“Our work with ASCEND: BLO reminded us to center joy in what we deliver,” said Nicholson. “We want our young men to feel valued, trusted, and inspired to lead, just as we felt in the Accelerator cohort. By investing in their potential, we help them realize their dreams and create solutions that benefit society as a whole.”
Even after graduating from ASCEND: BLO, Nicholson and The Hidden Genius Project team continue to maintain strong ties with fellow cohort members. They collaborate on fundraising strategies, share partnership opportunities, and celebrate each other’s successes. “EBCF’s ASCEND: BLO was a breath of fresh air,” Nicholson remarked. “The relationships we built have endured, and we’re forever grateful for the meaningful experience.”
