Noah Abiy, RICH4

Introduced to the Intensive Immersion Program by his aunt, RICH4 Hidden Genius alum Noah Abiy initially questioned whether the 15-month commitment would fit into his schedule. However, after attending Interview Day, he was all-in. That commitment has since paid off, equipping him with valuable skills, including an understanding of languages like Python, Java, and C++, as well as leadership experience through his roles as a Youth Educator. He also credits the The Hidden Genius Project for helping to build his confidence and being an ongoing support. Nearly 4 years after graduating, Noah still stays engaged with The Hidden Genius Project, working as a Youth Educator with the Richmond Fab Lab and returning each year to support events like Brothers Code—consistent with our Ubuntu value and paying forward all he has learned to his community.

How have you been?

I have been good with life and my family. I began working with the Richmond Fab Lab last semester and I have been loving it. Fab Lab is a program where we teach 3D printing, laser cutting, and t-shirt design to elementary school students in West Contra Costa County [sponsored by The Hidden Genius Project]. In addition to that, school has been difficult with ups and downs but I am motivated to accomplish higher education.

 

How did you first learn about The Hidden Genius Project?

I learned about it from my Aunt and sent an application immediately, not thinking I would have the time to commit fully that time around. I was in 8th grade at the time and I knew I had many years to join if I wanted to. So I wasn’t sure if I wanted to commit while I was so young but applied anyways. But after my interview day, though, I was sure I wanted to stay. I talked to a lot of people at interview day and learned about all of the resources The Hidden Genius Project provides. I knew from then that I had to join ASAP.

 

What was your experience in the program like?

My experience in the program centered around both leadership and technology. I made huge advancements in my technological knowledge due to the abundance of resources I was able to take advantage of. I really enjoyed working with the Richmond Innovation Educators who acted as incredible mentors that guided me through the program. Before the program, I was very interested in coding but didn’t know where to start. I was overwhelmed by the number of coding languages, learning platforms, and resources and I didn’t know where to start. The Hidden Genius Project provided me with a focused pathway to coding.

In regards to leadership, I was always given chances to help out my other brothers with their work since I would finish early a lot. The educators pushed me to teach others and this gave me the opportunity to gain a stronger understanding of what I learned. Teaching my brothers led during Immersion Programming eventually resulted in me becoming a Youth Educator.

 

Tell me about some of the challenges you’ve faced while in The Hidden Genius Project? How did you overcome them?

In The Hidden Genius Project, some challenges I would face were trying to remain organized and focused on one task at a time. Sometimes, there are a lot of things you want to accomplish at once, especially when you have access to more knowledge. It’s best to sit down and work through one problem, and you will be much more proud of the solution you fought to create.

 

Describe the final project you created during your time in the Immersion Program.

I created a full-stack website demo of a site called “Your Creation.” The website was an e-commerce platform with a backend API holding data for the site.

 

How is The Hidden Genius Project different from other mentorship or training experiences that you have been involved in? 

They are constantly supporting me throughout my life so far. I have been able to call them whenever I need anything and they will support me with my problems. Recently, one of the Oakland Innovation Educators, Demetrious Brown (DeeBee), would often sit with me and help me with my high school senior project that I needed for graduation. I would get off of school, come to the Oakland Headquarters, and he would sit with me for hours helping me on my project, which was an AI facial recognition camera. My school didn’t really have Computer Science programs and nobody in my family knew how to code, so the help I received from The Hidden Genius Project was integral to my success. My teachers also weren’t expecting much from me, so it was nice to have support from DeeBee.

 

What specific skills learned in The Hidden Genius Project have been most beneficial for you? 

In addition to learning how to code using C++, Java, Python, and other popular web development languages, I also gained important Communication skills. With The Hidden Genius Project, I’ve led panels at Brothers Code and other events, which have taught me how to talk to people and answer questions effectively. With these speaking engagements, I learned how to memorize and highlight important facts to communicate to other people. Because I was placed on panels when I was really young, I improved my public speaking and interview skills quickly.

 

What was the most important thing you gained on a personal level from participating in The Hidden Genius Project? How do you think your path might have been different if you hadn’t participated in The Hidden Genius Project? 

I gained a string of long-term connections that are still benefiting me three going on four years after I completed the program: I was about to become a Youth Educator after I finished the program; I was an apprentice at Autodesk; and one of the Innovation Educators, Abraham Keleta, wrote me a letter of recommendation that got me into a UC Berkeley Computer Science class. I am also still friends with some of my brothers from the program. If I wasn’t a part of The Hidden Genius Project, I think I would be way less connected and not quite as good at presenting myself professionally.

 

When you imagine yourself before starting The Hidden Genius Project, what’s different between that version of you and the current version? 

While I was quite driven and focused before the program, I think the biggest difference would be my confidence in myself. The Hidden Genius Project has contributed to giving me a strong backbone in terms of my ability to cite experience and connections. I would spend a lot of time outside of Immersion Programming doing my own self-studying and work. I learned while a part of The Hidden Genius Project that you have to want it and work to make the best use of the opportunities you get. It’s not just about simply being in the program. It starts with you. If you ask for something and look for it, The Hidden Genius Project will provide the tools for you. I think a lot of people come into The Hidden Genius Project and don’t apply themselves, so they don’t get anything out of it. You have to be motivated and have the drive to seek out opportunities.

 

In what ways have you remained involved with The Hidden Genius Project since completing the 15-month Intensive Immersion program? In what ways has the staff of The Hidden Genius Project continued to support you since graduating from the program? 

I have been attending Brothers Code [as a Youth Educator] every year, as well as checking in with my old mentors who still help me with my personal projects. On top of getting help on my Senior Project, I worked as a Youth Educator from a very young age and I was able to get apprenticeships and internships. I was able to get an apprenticeship with Autodesk and my current position with Richmond Fab Lab because of The Hidden Genius Project.

 

If you could talk to yourself just before you applied, what is one thing you would say? 

Stay focused and committed. Nothing will be handed to you so it’s your job to go and get it. 

 

What words of encouragement do you have for future Geniuses? 

Take advantage of all your opportunities because they will be laid out in front of you but it is still your job to reach out and grab them.