genius

genius

genius

fabrica

*

level

level

Literacy & STEM

Mental Health & Wellbeing

College & Career Readiness

Fatherhood & Male Mentorship

In every statistical category that influences quality of life, boys and men have fallen behind. We're working to change that.

genius

fabrica

*

level

Literacy & STEM

Mental Health & Wellbeing

College & Career Readiness

Fatherhood & Male Mentorship

In every statistical category that influences quality of life, boys and men have fallen behind. We're working to change that.

Partners in this work

Partners in this work

Partners in this work

The problem

The problem

The problem

The Crisis Starts Before Kindergarten

The Crisis Starts Before Kindergarten

Ready to contribute to the mission?

Close-up portrait of a person wearing a gray insulated hooded jacket with the hood up, showing their face framed by the hood against a light background.

Ready to contribute to the mission?

Close-up portrait of a person wearing a gray insulated hooded jacket with the hood up, showing their face framed by the hood against a light background.

Ready to contribute to the mission?

Close-up portrait of a person wearing a gray insulated hooded jacket with the hood up, showing their face framed by the hood against a light background.

By age 5, achievement gaps in STEM and literacy are already visible. Preschool boys often lack:

0%

01

Male Teacher Shortage

Only 2.3% of pre-K teachers" are male role models

0%

01

Male Teacher Shortage

Only 2.3% of pre-K teachers" are male role models

0%

01

Male Teacher Shortage

Only 2.3% of pre-K teachers" are male role models

0%

02

School Readiness Gap

Percentage of boys that enter kindergarten lacking basic school readiness skills

0%

02

School Readiness Gap

Percentage of boys that enter kindergarten lacking basic school readiness skills

0%

02

School Readiness Gap

Percentage of boys that enter kindergarten lacking basic school readiness skills

0m

03

Literacy Lag

Boys are 18 months "behind" girls in early literacy development by kindergarten entry

0m

03

Literacy Lag

Boys are 18 months "behind" girls in early literacy development by kindergarten entry

0m

03

Literacy Lag

Boys are 18 months "behind" girls in early literacy development by kindergarten entry

0%

of preschool boys are diagnosed with ADHD or attention difficulties

0%

of preschool boys are diagnosed with ADHD or attention difficulties

0%

of preschool boys are diagnosed with ADHD or attention difficulties

0x

Boys are 4x more likely to be suspended or expelled from preschool programs

0x

Boys are 4x more likely to be suspended or expelled from preschool programs

0x

Boys are 4x more likely to be suspended or expelled from preschool programs

0%

of kindergarten boys struggle with fine motor skills needed for writing (vs 18% of girls)

0%

of kindergarten boys struggle with fine motor skills needed for writing (vs 18% of girls)

0%

of kindergarten boys struggle with fine motor skills needed for writing (vs 18% of girls)

0%

Boys are 23% less likely to demonstrate age-appropriate social-emotional skills at kindergarten entry (vs girls)

0%

Boys are 23% less likely to demonstrate age-appropriate social-emotional skills at kindergarten entry (vs girls)

0%

Boys are 23% less likely to demonstrate age-appropriate social-emotional skills at kindergarten entry (vs girls)

Our Signature Program

Community men, working to illuminate the cause and serve as models for leadership and mentorship.

Our Signature Program

Community men, working to illuminate the cause and serve as models for leadership and mentorship.

Are you genius enough?

Reading & Building with Pre-K Boys

Boy Genius brings positive male role models into the pre-k classroom to show boys (and girls) that reading and learning is valued and honored by adult men.

You can't be what you can't see.

Are you genius enough?

Reading & Building with Pre-K Boys

Boy Genius brings positive male role models into the pre-k classroom to show boys (and girls) that reading and learning is valued and honored by adult men.

You can't be what you can't see.

Are you genius enough?

Reading & Building with Pre-K Boys

Boy Genius brings positive male role models into the pre-k classroom to show boys (and girls) that reading and learning is valued and honored by adult men.

You can't be what you can't see.

What we do

What we do

What we do

Future Focused.

Future Focused.

(01)

Literacy & STEM

We spark curiosity and confidence by combining culturally relevant stories with hands-on science to help boys see themselves as thinkers, readers, and creators.

Categories

Reading

STEM Ed

Pre-K

Geniuses

Mentors

Representation

6+

Literacy & STEM

(02)

Mental Health & Wellbeing

We create safe spaces for boys and men to express emotions, build resilience, and prioritize their mental wellness—without shame or stigma.

Categories

Mindfulness

Healthy Hearts

Capacity Building

Emotional Intelligence

Wellness

Coping Tools

6+

Mental Health & Wellbeing

(03)

College & Career Readiness

We equip young men with the mindset, tools, and exposure they need to navigate school, work, and life with purpose and power.

Categories

Future Ready

Skilled Trades

Goal Setting

Workforce+

College Prep

4+

College & Career Readiness

(04)

Fatherhood & Male Mentorship

We uplift the role of fathers and male mentors as everyday heroes—showing up, speaking life, and shaping futures through presence and love.

Categories

Dad SKills

Role Modeling

Engagment Strategies

Parenting Tools

Active Listening

6+

Fatherhood & Male Mentorship

(01)

Literacy & STEM

We spark curiosity and confidence by combining culturally relevant stories with hands-on science to help boys see themselves as thinkers, readers, and creators.

Categories

Reading

STEM Ed

Pre-K

Geniuses

Mentors

Representation

6+

Literacy & STEM

(02)

Mental Health & Wellbeing

We create safe spaces for boys and men to express emotions, build resilience, and prioritize their mental wellness—without shame or stigma.

Categories

Mindfulness

Healthy Hearts

Capacity Building

Emotional Intelligence

Wellness

Coping Tools

6+

Mental Health & Wellbeing

(03)

College & Career Readiness

We equip young men with the mindset, tools, and exposure they need to navigate school, work, and life with purpose and power.

Categories

Future Ready

Skilled Trades

Goal Setting

Workforce+

College Prep

4+

College & Career Readiness

(04)

Fatherhood & Male Mentorship

We uplift the role of fathers and male mentors as everyday heroes—showing up, speaking life, and shaping futures through presence and love.

Categories

Dad SKills

Role Modeling

Engagment Strategies

Parenting Tools

Active Listening

6+

Fatherhood & Male Mentorship

(01)

Literacy & STEM

We spark curiosity and confidence by combining culturally relevant stories with hands-on science to help boys see themselves as thinkers, readers, and creators.

Categories

Reading

STEM Ed

Pre-K

Geniuses

Mentors

Representation

6+

Literacy & STEM

(02)

Mental Health & Wellbeing

We create safe spaces for boys and men to express emotions, build resilience, and prioritize their mental wellness—without shame or stigma.

Categories

Mindfulness

Healthy Hearts

Capacity Building

Emotional Intelligence

Wellness

Coping Tools

6+

Mental Health & Wellbeing

(03)

College & Career Readiness

We equip young men with the mindset, tools, and exposure they need to navigate school, work, and life with purpose and power.

Categories

Future Ready

Skilled Trades

Goal Setting

Workforce+

College Prep

4+

College & Career Readiness

(04)

Fatherhood & Male Mentorship

We uplift the role of fathers and male mentors as everyday heroes—showing up, speaking life, and shaping futures through presence and love.

Categories

Dad SKills

Role Modeling

Engagment Strategies

Parenting Tools

Active Listening

6+

Fatherhood & Male Mentorship

The Podcast

The Podcast

The Podcast

Check out the genius level podcast. Coming soon!

Check out the genius level podcast. Coming soon!

Hear from county leaders, policy advocates, ambassadors, and others dedicated to developing the genius of boys and men.

2025

Available wherever you get your podcasts.

2025

Available wherever you get your podcasts.

2025

Available wherever you get your podcasts.

Coming soon

(Fall, 2025)

Coming soon

(Fall, 2025)

Coming soon

(Fall, 2025)

Every boy, every man.

Genius represents a bold step forward in Franklin County’s commitment to innovation and generational uplift.

Genius represents a bold step forward in Franklin County’s commitment to innovation and generational uplift.

It is the brainchild of Commissioner Erica C. Crawley, whose leadership has consistently centered the needs of our most vulnerable residents including boys and men who have historically been underserved in public programming. Her vision for Genius is to become an innovative, national model for empowering boys and men through literacy, STEM, and mental wellness.

It is the brainchild of Commissioner Erica C. Crawley, whose leadership has consistently centered the needs of our most vulnerable residents including boys and men who have historically been underserved in public programming. Her vision for Genius is to become an innovative, national model for empowering boys and men through literacy, STEM, and mental wellness.

The team behind genius.

The team behind genius.

Be part of our mission

If you’re ready to create and collaborate, we’d love to hear from you.

We believe supporting boys and men across the cradle-to-career continuum creates lasting change. We're working closely with families, schools, and volunteers to ensure every boy builds the foundations he needs to succeed from preschool through his future career.

Commissioner & President

at Franklin County Board of Commissioners

Erica C. Crawley

Servant-leader committed to empowering the residents of Franklin County.

Commissioner & President

at Franklin County Board of Commissioners

Erica C. Crawley

Servant-leader committed to empowering the residents of Franklin County.

Commissioner & President

at Franklin County Board of Commissioners

Erica C. Crawley

Servant-leader committed to empowering the residents of Franklin County.

Program Director

at Idlewood & Co.

Maurice Womack

Transforms ideas into high-performing, data-driven initiatives.

Program Director

at Idlewood & Co.

Maurice Womack

Transforms ideas into high-performing, data-driven initiatives.

Program Director

at Idlewood & Co.

Maurice Womack

Transforms ideas into high-performing, data-driven initiatives.

Early Learning Policy Administrator

at Frankllin County Board of Commissioners

P.J. Gamble

Point person for Franklin County's early learning initiatives.

Early Learning Policy Administrator

at Frankllin County Board of Commissioners

P.J. Gamble

Point person for Franklin County's early learning initiatives.

Early Learning Policy Administrator

at Frankllin County Board of Commissioners

P.J. Gamble

Point person for Franklin County's early learning initiatives.

Founder & CEO

at Idlewood & Co.

Dr. Erica Womack

Education and Equity Expert.

Founder & CEO

at Idlewood & Co.

Dr. Erica Womack

Education and Equity Expert.

Founder & CEO

at Idlewood & Co.

Dr. Erica Womack

Education and Equity Expert.

FAQ.

FAQ.

Got questions? We’ve got answers. Here’s everything you need to know about the genius movement..

What exactly does the Genius Initiative do?
icon

We run two complementary programs: Boy Genius brings male volunteers into preschools to deliver engaging STEM and literacy experiences, while Daddy Genius provides workshops for fathers and male caregivers to develop emotional intelligence and critical thinking skills. Together, these programs create a dual-generation approach to closing achievement gaps before they take hold.

Who is funding the Genius Initiative?
icon

The Genius Initiative is proudly funded by a grant from the Franklin County Board of Commissioners. This investment allows us to serve boys and men across our community, demonstrating Franklin County's commitment to early childhood education and male engagement.

Do volunteers need teaching experience or special qualifications?
icon

No teaching experience required! We're looking for enthusiastic men who care about children's development. We provide comprehensive training on child development, our curriculum, and classroom management. You just need to pass a background check, commit to 2-3 hours weekly, and bring your passion for learning. Our volunteers include engineers, retirees, students, and professionals from all backgrounds.

What's the bigger mission behind Genius Initiative?
icon

Our ultimate goal is to break intergenerational cycles of educational disparity by addressing achievement gaps at their source—before kindergarten. We envision communities where every boy sees himself as capable of academic success, where fathers are confident educational partners, and where male involvement in early childhood education is valued and supported. We're working to create a replicable model that can transform communities nationwide.

How do you measure success and impact?
icon

We track both immediate and long-term outcomes. In our pilot program, 85% of boys showed increased STEM interest and 75% of fathers reported improved confidence in supporting their child's learning. We measure school readiness improvements, family engagement levels, and follow participating children's academic progress through elementary school. Our goal is a 40% reduction in early achievement gaps in participating communities.

Which preschools can participate, and how do they get involved?
icon

We currently accepting requests to partner for our Boy Genius program. We work with diverse early childhood centers across Franklin County, prioritizing those serving boys who face the greatest achievement gap risks. Preschools can contact us directly to discuss partnership opportunities and our flexible scheduling options.

How can community members support the Genius Initiative beyond volunteering?
icon

Beyond becoming a Genius volunteer, community members can spread awareness about our mission, refer other potential volunteers (especially men with diverse backgrounds), and advocate for male engagement in early childhood education. We also welcome partnerships with local organizations, connections to additional preschools, and help identifying fathers who would benefit from our Daddy Genius workshops.

What exactly does the Genius Initiative do?
icon

We run two complementary programs: Boy Genius brings male volunteers into preschools to deliver engaging STEM and literacy experiences, while Daddy Genius provides workshops for fathers and male caregivers to develop emotional intelligence and critical thinking skills. Together, these programs create a dual-generation approach to closing achievement gaps before they take hold.

Who is funding the Genius Initiative?
icon

The Genius Initiative is proudly funded by a grant from the Franklin County Board of Commissioners. This investment allows us to serve boys and men across our community, demonstrating Franklin County's commitment to early childhood education and male engagement.

Do volunteers need teaching experience or special qualifications?
icon

No teaching experience required! We're looking for enthusiastic men who care about children's development. We provide comprehensive training on child development, our curriculum, and classroom management. You just need to pass a background check, commit to 2-3 hours weekly, and bring your passion for learning. Our volunteers include engineers, retirees, students, and professionals from all backgrounds.

What's the bigger mission behind Genius Initiative?
icon

Our ultimate goal is to break intergenerational cycles of educational disparity by addressing achievement gaps at their source—before kindergarten. We envision communities where every boy sees himself as capable of academic success, where fathers are confident educational partners, and where male involvement in early childhood education is valued and supported. We're working to create a replicable model that can transform communities nationwide.

How do you measure success and impact?
icon

We track both immediate and long-term outcomes. In our pilot program, 85% of boys showed increased STEM interest and 75% of fathers reported improved confidence in supporting their child's learning. We measure school readiness improvements, family engagement levels, and follow participating children's academic progress through elementary school. Our goal is a 40% reduction in early achievement gaps in participating communities.

Which preschools can participate, and how do they get involved?
icon

We currently accepting requests to partner for our Boy Genius program. We work with diverse early childhood centers across Franklin County, prioritizing those serving boys who face the greatest achievement gap risks. Preschools can contact us directly to discuss partnership opportunities and our flexible scheduling options.

How can community members support the Genius Initiative beyond volunteering?
icon

Beyond becoming a Genius volunteer, community members can spread awareness about our mission, refer other potential volunteers (especially men with diverse backgrounds), and advocate for male engagement in early childhood education. We also welcome partnerships with local organizations, connections to additional preschools, and help identifying fathers who would benefit from our Daddy Genius workshops.

What exactly does the Genius Initiative do?
icon

We run two complementary programs: Boy Genius brings male volunteers into preschools to deliver engaging STEM and literacy experiences, while Daddy Genius provides workshops for fathers and male caregivers to develop emotional intelligence and critical thinking skills. Together, these programs create a dual-generation approach to closing achievement gaps before they take hold.

Who is funding the Genius Initiative?
icon

The Genius Initiative is proudly funded by a grant from the Franklin County Board of Commissioners. This investment allows us to serve boys and men across our community, demonstrating Franklin County's commitment to early childhood education and male engagement.

Do volunteers need teaching experience or special qualifications?
icon

No teaching experience required! We're looking for enthusiastic men who care about children's development. We provide comprehensive training on child development, our curriculum, and classroom management. You just need to pass a background check, commit to 2-3 hours weekly, and bring your passion for learning. Our volunteers include engineers, retirees, students, and professionals from all backgrounds.

What's the bigger mission behind Genius Initiative?
icon

Our ultimate goal is to break intergenerational cycles of educational disparity by addressing achievement gaps at their source—before kindergarten. We envision communities where every boy sees himself as capable of academic success, where fathers are confident educational partners, and where male involvement in early childhood education is valued and supported. We're working to create a replicable model that can transform communities nationwide.

How do you measure success and impact?
icon

We track both immediate and long-term outcomes. In our pilot program, 85% of boys showed increased STEM interest and 75% of fathers reported improved confidence in supporting their child's learning. We measure school readiness improvements, family engagement levels, and follow participating children's academic progress through elementary school. Our goal is a 40% reduction in early achievement gaps in participating communities.

Which preschools can participate, and how do they get involved?
icon

We currently accepting requests to partner for our Boy Genius program. We work with diverse early childhood centers across Franklin County, prioritizing those serving boys who face the greatest achievement gap risks. Preschools can contact us directly to discuss partnership opportunities and our flexible scheduling options.

How can community members support the Genius Initiative beyond volunteering?
icon

Beyond becoming a Genius volunteer, community members can spread awareness about our mission, refer other potential volunteers (especially men with diverse backgrounds), and advocate for male engagement in early childhood education. We also welcome partnerships with local organizations, connections to additional preschools, and help identifying fathers who would benefit from our Daddy Genius workshops.

Drop us a message!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.

© 2025 genius

Let’s talk.

Interested in learning more? Send us a message using the form or email us directly.

Ideas matter

If you’re ready to create and collaborate, we’d love to hear your ideas.

Collective action

Let's work together to provide bright futures for all boys and men.

Program Director

at genius

Maurice Womack

Drop us a message!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.

Let’s talk.

Interested in learning more? Send us a message using the form or email us directly.

Ideas matter

If you’re ready to create and collaborate, we’d love to hear your ideas.

Collective action

Let's work together to provide bright futures for all boys and men.

Program Director

at genius

Maurice Womack

Drop us a message!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.

© 2025 genius

Let’s talk.

Interested in learning more? Send us a message using the form or email us directly.

Ideas matter

If you’re ready to create and collaborate, we’d love to hear your ideas.

Collective action

Let's work together to provide bright futures for all boys and men.

Program Director

at genius

Maurice Womack