Welcome to the first feature of EBCF’s community partner spotlight series. Our ASCEND: BLO team is proud to support The Hidden Genius Project, a transformative nonprofit dedicated to developing Black male youth in technology, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
With ASCEND: BLO’s capacity-building support, organizations continue to combat racism and anti-Blackness while changing policies and systems to realize equity and justice in California. In addition to funding, the ASCEND: BLO team partners with values-aligned consultants & practitioners to offer technical and training support. By providing thought partnership, access to resources supporting capacity growth and leadership development, and networking and learning opportunities, ASCEND: BLO helps Black-led organizations throughout the region shape the future and culture of our communities.
Read more to learn about The Hidden Genius Project and how its partnership with ASCEND: BLO has strengthened its leadership team so that it can go on to support the next generation of Black leaders.
A Catalyst for Growth and Leadership
In 2018, The Hidden Genius Project became 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 the 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.
The Power of Safe Black Spaces
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.
Empowering Young Black Men
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.”
Sustained Connections and Lasting Impact
Even after completing the program with 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.”