# Brandon Nicholson

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{{Short description|American nonprofit executive (born 1983/84)}}

'''Brandon Nicholson''' is a non profit professional who serves as an executive director of The Hidden Genius Project.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Ashton |title=Meet a 39-year-old founder helping Black boys transform their lives through tech and mentorship |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/20/hidden-genius-project-founder-brandon-nicholson-helping-black-male-youth.html |access-date=2023-05-06 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> The Hidden Genius project strives to find hidden geniuses in underserved communities and to provide a platform that allows young black males to succeed.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Deczynski |first=Rebecca |date=2021 |title=This Man Is on a Mission to Find the Next Generation of 'Hidden Geniuses' |url=https://www.inc.com/magazine/202112/rebecca-deczynski/hidden-genius-project-tech-entrepreneurship-leadership-nonprofit.html |website=Inc.}}</ref> Nicholson emphasizes the importance of leadership and mentorship within all stages of these individuals lives.

== Education and early life ==
Nicholson was born in 1983/1984, in Oakland California.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2022-12-22 |title=Brandon Nicholson Is The Black Founder Transforming Lives Through Tech |url=https://peopleofcolorintech.com/articles/brandon-nicholson-is-the-black-founder-transforming-lives-through-tech/ |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of people of color in tech. |language=en}}</ref> He grew up with his parents who were trained as lawyers and set a foundation for Brandon. He turned to his parents and immediate family for support all throughout his life and his journey during this project.<ref name=":1" /> 

Nicholson received the [Ron Brown](/source/Ron_Brown) scholarship when he was 17, that stood for fostering "lifelong goodwill.”<ref name=":0" /> He then attended [UCLA](/source/University_of_California%2C_Los_Angeles) and [Princeton](/source/Princeton_University), as well as [UC Berkeley](/source/University_of_California%2C_Berkeley) for his PhD.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Hidden Genius Project Trains Next Generation Tech Entrepreneurs |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/hidden-genius-project-trains-next-generation-tech-entrepreneurs/ |access-date=2023-05-06 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Throughout his time in college, he was a part of programs like Community House, [Black Student Union](/source/Black_Student_Union), and the Black Men’s Awareness Group that jumpstarted his passion for leadership. As a black male in college, he noticed the needed efforts in giving people services for innovation.<ref name=":1" />

== Career ==
In 2012, Nicholson became the executive director of a nonprofit organization, the Hidden Genius Project which trains and mentors young black males.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> Based in [Oakland, California](/source/Oakland%2C_California), it focuses on services for individuals in technology, entrepreneurship, and leadership.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> The Hidden Genius Project is a program that helps about 20 boys at a time, from grades 9-11, to look at their potential and future goals, free of cost.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> Each participant receives a laptop where they are required to commit to two summer sessions, as well as 15 months of weekly classes. After these sessions when the training is over, each individual leaves with a fully functioning app and the skills needed to launch it. The Hidden Genius Project has many sponsors like [Microsoft](/source/Microsoft), [Google](/source/Google), Human Capital, and [CapitalG](/source/CapitalG) that make it possible for them to serve their community.<ref name=":0" />  

== Views ==
Nicholson strives to provide resources for young black males to succeed.<ref name=":0" /> The Hidden Genius Project allows for their goals and aspirations to be reached. Through various resources and mentors these students learn and develop before entering the real world.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> Students are more likely to succeed when they see people like them within their intended field.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Kenney |first=Tanasia |date=2017-11-07 |title=Black-Owned Hidden Genius Project Gets $1M Grant from Google |url=https://atlantablackstar.com/2017/11/07/black-owned-hidden-genius-project-gets-1m-grant-google/ |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=Atlanta Black Star |language=en-US}}</ref> 

== References ==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Nicholson, Brandon}}
Category:American nonprofit chief executives
Category:University of California, Los Angeles alumni
Category:Princeton University alumni
Category:University of California, Berkeley alumni
Category:1980s births
Category:Living people
Category:American businesspeople in technology
Category:Businesspeople from Oakland, California

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Brandon Nicholson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandon_Nicholson) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandon_Nicholson?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.