Brandon Nicholson // Executive Director at The Hidden Genius Project

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In episode 111 of the Disruptors for Good podcast I speak with Brandon Nicholson, Executive Director at The Hidden Genius Project, on using computer science, business, and technology to transform lives and communities for young people of color.

An Oakland native, Founding Executive Director Brandon Nicholson has always felt a deep sense of commitment to promoting equity in the public realm, particularly in the education space. Previously, he was a Senior Associate at Social Policy Research Associates (SPR), where he conducted research, evaluation, and analysis across a range of key social policy areas.

Brandon has conducted substantial research in the areas of education and youth development, with a particular focus on issues of equity and access in K-12 education for underserved populations. He has considerable experience investigating linkages among race, class, and youth development.

The Hidden Genius Project trains and mentors Black male youth in technology creation, entrepreneurship, and leadership skills to transform their lives and communities.

The Hidden Genius Project was founded 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.

STEM employment opportunities have become the fastest growing segment of jobs in the U.S, with 71 percent of which involving computing. 

The Hidden Genius Project prepares Black male youth to participate in and meaningfully contribute to the 21st Century, global, tech-economy.

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