{"id":372068,"date":"2026-06-23T22:15:15","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T22:15:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/372068\/"},"modified":"2026-06-23T22:15:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T22:15:15","slug":"the-hidden-genius-project-extends-to-long-beach-concentrates-on-guiding-young-black-men","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/372068\/","title":{"rendered":"The Hidden Genius Project extends to Long Beach, concentrates on guiding young Black men"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Hidden Genius Project, an Oakland-based technology and entrepreneur nonprofit, officially staked its claim in Long Beach during Saturday morning\u2019s grand opening in Eastside Long Beach.<\/p>\n

The organization focuses on training and mentoring young Black men in technology creation, entrepreneurship and leadership through its 15-month, 800-hour Intensive Immersion Program. The project calls participants and alumni who go through their program geniuses, a play on the project title.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Hidden Genius Project instructs 24 geniuses, youth between eight and 10th grade, on how to build websites and mobile apps, AI systems, AI ethics and how to start a business (and how to use tech to promote them).\u00a0<\/p>\n

According to the Long Beach Site Director, Montanna McDaniel, they have already picked a cohort for this year and began the program Monday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Staff from The Hidden Genius Project, along with past and present Geniuses, cut the ribbon to signify The Hidden Genius Project officially expanding to Long Beach on June 20, 2026. (Samuel Chacko | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\n

He said youth in general often don\u2019t know what to do once they leave high school and extracurricular programs like The Hidden Genius Project can help them lean towards their interests.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201c[It\u2019s] giving young Black men something that\u2019s bigger than themselves to keep them out of God knows what,\u201d McDaniel said. \u201cSociety typically deems them as \u2018they\u2019re all gonna either be in jail or dead by X amount of age.\u2019\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Hidden Genius Project runs throughout the year, with the summer program running Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., including business trips on Fridays. While the students are in school (during spring and fall), the program runs every second Saturday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

The 24 geniuses will then become \u201coutgoing students\u201d after one year in the program, meaning they\u2019ll choose something to specialize in, continue working on their big project (an app, video game or website) and help mentor the incoming cohort.<\/p>\n

Rashaan Young Jones was a genius in the Oakland 7 cohort of The Hidden Genius Project in 2018-2019, when he was a high school sophomore.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI learned a lot about computer science but most importantly, I would say I built a brotherhood with some lifelong friends [I still talk to this day], learned a lot about entrepreneurship and also networking with the community.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2013 Rashaan Young Jones<\/p>\n

Jones will be one of two Long Beach innovation educators, passing that same knowledge he learned from the program to local youth.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In addition to the education on computer science, entrepreneurship and business, Jones says the participating youth will be provided with daily food, a MacBook and a stipend.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re paying them to get educated and we\u2019re giving them all the knowledge they need to succeed in their next steps of life,\u201d Jones said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Noble Jones, a ninth grade student at SATO academy, talks with the Long Beach community about his journey as a student over the years and how The Hidden Genius Project will provide him with mentors and strengthen real world skills on June 20, 2026. (Samuel Chacko | Signal Tribune) <\/p>\n

The grand opening, however, comes after The Hidden Genius Project had to suspend operations in Atlanta, Baltimore and Chicago one week ago<\/a>, which could be a concern for the long-term future of the Long Beach location.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have no idea knowing [if this could happen to Long Beach] and we know Long Beach, Atlanta, [and] everywhere else that are navigating these really hard times,\u201d said Brandon Nicholson, The Hidden Genius Project chief executive officer. \u201cWhat we can be sure of is insofar as we get to be here every day, we are deeply, vehemently, doggedly dedicated to affecting serious impact for these young people.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Nicholson said that the denials of funding and\u00a0entities\u2019 shifting engagement dramatically were the cause of the shutdowns.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe see our young people as opportunity \u2026 so if there are folks who believe in that, then we are a great organization to support,\u201d Nicholson said. \u201cIf there are folks who\u2019d rather that not happen, then that puts us naturally at odds with the landscape where our success is at odds with or a threat to some folks as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Brandon Nicholson, the CEO of The Hidden Genius Project, speaks to Long Beach attendees about the importance of the project and the impacts it will make for Long Beach youth on June 20, 2026. (Samuel Chacko | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat today is about is saying that we\u2019re actually still very much here,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The World Foundation helped launch the Long Beach sector of the project, guaranteeing the non-profit $800,000 for three years, which McDaniel said helped set the groundwork. McDaniel also mentioned receiving $30,000 from individual high schools such as SATO, Franklin, Jordan, Newcome, Washington and Hughes, as well as $80,000 from the Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network (LBWIN).<\/p>\n

He said they\u2019ll be looking for private donors, community support and corporate sponsors, as well as other grants.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Funding] is extremely important. We\u2019re able to fund our programming as is but we want to make sure it can continue \u2026 it\u2019s critical that we have funding continually be available, continue to come in to support young people,\u201d Nicholson said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Applications for next year\u2019s cohort will be coming out in the fall, according to McDaniel. He also said if parents want to apply, they should get involved and welcome an introductory conversation so he can put a name to a face when applications open.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Hidden Genius Project will host its yearly Brother\u2019s Code event every December during tech week, where youth participants can play with different technology, practice coding and explore the range of career opportunities in tech. To learn more about the Hidden Genius Project and to learn about future events, check out their website<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"SamuelSamuel ChackoPhoto Editor<\/p>\n

Samuel Chacko is an award-winning photojournalist from Long Beach, California. Samuel currently works as a freelance journalist for multiple publications and he is a class of 2025 Cal State Long Beach graduate. Samuel loves watching sports (the Ravens and the Yankees) and taking photos.
Check out more of Samuel\u2019s work here: https:\/\/samuelchacko.com\/<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

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