genius
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.
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?

Ready to contribute to the mission?

Ready to contribute to the mission?

By age 5, achievement gaps in STEM and literacy are already visible. Preschool boys often lack:
01
Male Teacher Shortage
Only 2.3% of pre-K teachers" are male role models
01
Male Teacher Shortage
Only 2.3% of pre-K teachers" are male role models
01
Male Teacher Shortage
Only 2.3% of pre-K teachers" are male role models
02
School Readiness Gap
Percentage of boys that enter kindergarten lacking basic school readiness skills
02
School Readiness Gap
Percentage of boys that enter kindergarten lacking basic school readiness skills
02
School Readiness Gap
Percentage of boys that enter kindergarten lacking basic school readiness skills
03
Literacy Lag
Boys are 18 months "behind" girls in early literacy development by kindergarten entry
03
Literacy Lag
Boys are 18 months "behind" girls in early literacy development by kindergarten entry
03
Literacy Lag
Boys are 18 months "behind" girls in early literacy development by kindergarten entry
of preschool boys are diagnosed with ADHD or attention difficulties
of preschool boys are diagnosed with ADHD or attention difficulties
of preschool boys are diagnosed with ADHD or attention difficulties
Boys are 4x more likely to be suspended or expelled from preschool programs
Boys are 4x more likely to be suspended or expelled from preschool programs
Boys are 4x more likely to be suspended or expelled from preschool programs
of kindergarten boys struggle with fine motor skills needed for writing (vs 18% of girls)
of kindergarten boys struggle with fine motor skills needed for writing (vs 18% of girls)
of kindergarten boys struggle with fine motor skills needed for writing (vs 18% of girls)
Boys are 23% less likely to demonstrate age-appropriate social-emotional skills at kindergarten entry (vs girls)
Boys are 23% less likely to demonstrate age-appropriate social-emotional skills at kindergarten entry (vs girls)
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..
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
© 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
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
© 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