As part of Project UP, Comcast NBCUniversal has committed $1 billion over the next 10 years to reach tens of millions of people through programs and community partnerships with the opportunities and resources they need to succeed in an increasingly digital society. From connecting people to the Internet and accelerating economic mobility, to opening doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers and creators, together we are shaping a future of unlimited possibilities.
Recently, one of our Project UP community partners, The Hidden Genius Project, joined us at a regionwide employee meeting so that our teams across Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia could learn more about the work they do. Brandon Nicholson, Executive Director of The Hidden Genius Project, described the impact the organization is having among young people.
The Hidden Genius Project has provided training and mentorship to over 8,600 Black male youth in technology, entrepreneurship and leadership skills with nearly 450,000 hours of direct training to young people in California, Michigan, the United Kingdom and South Africa. The Hidden Genius Project was founded in 2012 by five Black male entrepreneurs and technologists who were identified a juxtaposition between the high unemployment of Black male youth and the large number of career opportunities within the technology sector. To address this challenge, the founders established a program to connect young Black males with the skills, mentors, and experiences that they need to become high-performing entrepreneurs and technologists in a 21st century, global economy.
“From spreading the news about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to volunteering in our communities , our employees are passionate about the work we do as part of Project UP, and they were inspired by Hidden Genius Project’s impact,” said Regional Vice President Toni Murphy, a classmate of Brandon Nicholson at Princeton University.
For additional information on Project UP and our other digital equity initiatives, including Internet Essentials, Lift Zones and more, visit corporate.comcast.com/impact/project-up.