Without question, Robert Bryant (Oakland Cohort 6 Hidden Genius Alum) learned how to believe in himself thanks to the support and guidance he received in our Intensive Immersion Program. While grappling with the challenges of coding in the program, the brotherhood fostered within The Hidden Genius Project became a pillar of support for Robert, reshaping his approach to learning and leadership. Now a junior at Albany State University majoring in biology, Robert is excited to start his Doctors in Italy Fellowship Program this summer as he pursues his dream of becoming a cardiovascular surgeon.
How have you been?
I’ve just been busy studying at Albany State University, an HBCU in a small town in Georgia. I just started my junior year and am hoping to finish this semester with all A’s and B’s. I’m currently working as a Resident Assistant at my school helping students with their living situations and dorm needs which is great because I like helping people. I’m also really excited because I just got accepted into the Doctors in Italy Fellowship Program. This June I will get a chance to live and work in Italy for three weeks helping doctors and their patients.
How did you first learn about The Hidden Genius Project?
I first heard about The Hidden Genius Project from my mother. She woke me up early one morning and explained to me how this program can help expose me to tech, leadership, and entrepreneurship opportunities. She knew I wanted to become a doctor but still encouraged me to apply anyway just in case I wanted to change my career. I applied and now the rest is history.
What was your experience in the program like?
I enjoyed the fact that I was able to learn how to code and create my own website. The field trips to different tech companies were amazing. I would say that visiting YouTube was my favorite business trip because I use their platform every day. Having the chance to tour YouTube’s headquarters, connect with their staff, ask questions about their platforms, and receive free swag was priceless.
One of the challenges I faced in the program was my lack of experience with coding. Oftentimes I would struggle with understanding the computer science concepts compared to my brothers which was hard. I felt embarrassed sometimes because I was one of the oldest in my cohort and I felt I should know more about this stuff or at least pick up on it quicker. I then learned that I needed to ask my brothers for support and go to office hours which helped me understand coding better.
The brotherhood aspect of the program had a big impact on me. I’ve been involved in many programs, but The Hidden Genius Project is the only organization where they instilled brotherhood at every meeting, field trip, workshop, and interaction. We always focused on loving and respecting our brothers and community and I carry that with me every day.
Describe the website you designed during your time in the Immersion Program.
I created a website that I presented at the End of Summer Celebration about myself because I wanted to give people a general idea about who I am and where I come from, including my family. My website also featured different web pages such as my favorite basketball team (which is the Golden State Warriors), a snake game I created in JavaScript, and a login portal. I enjoyed having the opportunity to design my own website that featured a game that I built from scratch which I am proud of still to this day.
How is The Hidden Genius Project different from other mentorship or training experiences that you have been involved in?
Being surrounded by so many different Black men who were such great role models for me played a huge role in my experience and growth in the program. Since I was the oldest in my cohort, I would often get called out first whenever I acted out in the program. My mentors would call me out on this because they knew my brothers looked up to me as a role model so they challenged me to be a positive influence for my cohort. After hearing this, I learned how to lead by example and become a leader for my cohort.
Also, this was the only program that I have ever been a part of that gave me a free MacBook to use in the program which was exciting. The Hidden Genius Project always made me feel like I was special and valued my perspective, especially during our leadership sessions. They never focused on one area of growth or point in our lives as they touched upon different things such as coding, entrepreneurship, and personal development. This was also the only program that I had been in where they gave me weekly homework assignments and made sure I had to stay locked in.
What specific skills learned in The Hidden Genius Project have been most beneficial for you?
In The Hidden Genius Project, I was able to learn multiple things such as patience, leadership, integrity, and sustainability. Patience and leadership go hand in hand because I had to step up and be a leader in the program and learn how to have patience with my peers. I still carry these lessons and skills with me to this day in college, especially when I’m working on group projects.
What was the most important thing you gained on a personal level (development, relationship, community, etc.) from participating in The Hidden Genius Project?
On a personal level, the most important thing I have gained from participating in The Hidden Genius Project is self-awareness and self-confidence. Through various experiences and challenges, I have learned to understand myself better, identify my strengths and weaknesses, and believe in my abilities. This has allowed me to grow as an individual, make better decisions, and pursue my goals with determination and resilience.
When you imagine yourself before starting The Hidden Genius Project, what’s different between that version of you and the current version?
Before starting The Hidden Genius Project, I was not fully aware of my potential and the opportunities available to me. I had limited exposure to technology and lacked the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue a career in the field. However, after joining The Hidden Genius Project, I gained access to mentors, resources, and hands-on learning experiences that have helped develop my technical skills and cultivate a growth mindset.
Growing up, I always knew I had the skills to become a doctor but The Hidden Genius Project helped me grow as a leader. I understand how to problem solve and learn how to work hard at something even if I’m not the best at a certain thing right away. Overall, I am proud of who I have become after being a part of this program.
In what ways has the staff of The Hidden Genius Project continued to support you since graduating from the program?
I try to be involved with The Hidden Genius Project as much as I can. Even though I’m in a different state, I still try to help promote the program to friends and family on social media. Also, the staff reach out to me often sharing different summer programs, jobs, scholarships, and opportunities to help out as Youth Educator.
If you could talk to yourself just before you applied, what is one thing you would say?
I would say to make my brothers join the program because this program can help you make a career for yourself because of the different programs they have.
What words of encouragement do you have for future Geniuses?
Do not take any time you’re in the program for granted. Soak up all of the information they share with you because you can make great connections from it and get jobs and internships.
Since 2012, nearly 11,100 students have revealed their genius through our Immersion, Catalyst, and Community Partner Programs, and so many more are waiting to shine.
HELP NEW GENIUSES STEP INTO THE SPOTLIGHT.
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