Happy Birthday: George Williams, Past National BDPA President

Please join us in wishing a wonderful birthday to our past national president -- George Williams. I've known George since I first joined BDPA back in the late 1980s. He was a powerful figure in the BDPA Cleveland chapter before he set a record for the longest-tenured national president in BDPA history.

George has an information technology and business career background that spans thirty years of professional experience in marketing, sales and management within corporate, small business, non-profit and civic organizations. A number of major accomplishments occurred under George's leadership of the national organization in the late 1990s:

• implemented a new national Corporate Alliance program that increased annual sponsorship revenue


• implmented a comprehensive Enterprise Transformation Plan that completely reorganized the national organization


• inspired major annual conference events in Philadelphia (1995), Atlanta (1996), Houston (1997), Orlando (1998) and Atlanta (1999)
  
• signed Memorandum of Understanding to promote joint technology projects between BDPA and National Urban League

As a life-long Clevelander, graduate of the Cleveland Public School System, John Carroll University and Leadership Cleveland, George understands the intricacies of doing business and volunteering time in the Northeast Ohio community. George was a co-founder of the Consortium of African America Organizations (CAAO). He has actively served on the Board of the Cleveland Education Fund, the Cuyahoga Community College Unified Technologies Center and the John Adams High School Vocational Education Advisory Group.

George is a father of two daughters and grandfather of four children. He is a remarkable role model for his family ... and for BDPA.

I encourage you to share some BDPA-love with George as he celebrates his born-day! Happy Birthday George!

Barack Obama Challenges BDPA: 'Educate to Innovate'

President Obama has launched an “Educate to Innovate” campaign to improve the participation and performance of America’s students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This campaign will include efforts not only from the Federal Government but also from leading companies, foundations (e.g., BDPA Education and Technology Foundation), non-profits (e.g., BDPA), and science and engineering societies to work with young people across America to excel in science and math.

As part of the campaign, this Administration hopes to do a series of events, announcements and other activities that build upon the President’s “call to action” and address the key components of national priority.

Why This is Important

We have many great schools, excellent teachers, and successful students in America. But there are also troubling signs that, overall, our students should be doing better in math and science.

• In the 2006 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) comparison, American students ranked 21st out of 30 in science literacy among students from developed countries, and 25th out of 30 in math literacy.


• On the 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) math tests, 4th graders showed no signs of progress for the first time in many years, and 8th graders tallied only modest evidence of progress. We are not advancing as we must.

What We Must Do

Through “Educate to Innovate” and other efforts, we must:

• Increase STEM literacy so that all students can learn deeply and think critically in science, math, engineering, and technology.


• Move American students from the middle of the pack to top in the next decade.


• Expand STEM education and career opportunities for underrepresented groups, including women and girls.

The First Steps

America is already stepping forward to meet these challenges. As part of the “Educate to Innovate” effort, five major public-private partnerships are harnessing the power of media, interactive games, hands-on learning, and community volunteers to reach millions of students over the next four years, inspiring them to be the next generation of inventors and innovators.

• Time-Warner Cable, Discovery Communications, Sesame Street, and other partners will get the message to kids and students about the wonder of invention and discovery.


• National Lab Day will help build communities of support around teachers across the country, culminating in a day of civic participation.


• National STEM design competitions will develop game options to engage kids in scientific inquiry and challenging designs.


• Five leading business and thought leaders (Sally Ride, Craig Barrett, Ursula Burns, Glen Britt, and Antonio Perez) will head an effort to increase private and philanthropic involvement in support of STEM teaching and learning.

Admittedly, my blog title is not entirely accurate. President Obama laid out a challenge to all students, teachers, parents, corporations, organizations and communities. He wasn't speaking directly to BDPA...

However, the question begs to be answered...

...what is BDPA going to do in response to our president's call for action. What SPECIFIC action will BDPA take to 'educate to innovate'?

What say u?

Message from Richmond Chapter Past President

BDPA Richmond chapter past president Jackie Pryor shared a passionate plea for more of us to volunteer in support of our youth education programs. Another past president of our Richmond chapter, Annette Yates, was moved to share her thoughts on BDPA volunteerism:

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Good Morning BDPA Members and Non-BDPA Members and Jackie,

Of all the posts I have seen this year I must say this is my favorite and I am sure those of you who know me, know why. This post captures the true vision and mission of BDPA Richmond.

It was through volunteer service at the elementary, middle and high schools in Richmond and the college campuses at Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia State University, Old Dominion University and Virginia Union University that helped me understand my role in BDPA Richmond. Through that knowledge and the self awareness that materialized, I realized that I had something to give others. From that day on, I was determined to give my heart and soul to ensuring that the students and BDPA Richmond members that I met, mentored and coached were exposed to as much knowledge about community outreach, networking, mentoring and giving back as I could.

In that vein, I witnessed the BDPA Richmond chapter explode with enthusiasm for helping others and that is what sustained this chapter for this long. Believe me I did not do this alone, I was merely one of catalyst that ignited the flame in many others along the way.

As Jackie said, it is time to get back on track. Just as you could see below realization was enhanced by just being with the students for a short period of time. She is conveying to you that these students need us. With their varied situations of knowledge and preparation for the future we all can make a difference. The only way you will get the giving back bug is to get into these schools and college campuses to see the need and know that if we all band together we can make a difference.

Today, I am still in touch with many of the students. It is because I know I made a difference in their lives. They have been reaching out to me via email, on Facebook and LinkedIn. You can just imagine what a surprise and how refreshing it is for me, after being in BDPA for almost 20 years to still have these young people contact me. This shows me that it was all worth my efforts. We are all in harder economic times but giving back to our youth only costs our hearts.

The current BDPA Richmond administration is working very hard but they cannot take the chapter to the next level without some additional support. Although I am now residing in Phoenix, through the use of technology I am still helping where I can though knowledge, sending fundraising information to my vast network, being a part of various committees to do what I can from here. I am so vested in knowing the potential this chapter has that I recently renewed my membership for the next 5 years.

To add to Jackie's plea, I would like to ask that you please consider stepping up to the plate. It is not for the adults in the chapter, but for the community outreach programs that we are making a difference with in our communities. If you feel you do not have the time to donate please don't forget that all of the education programs could use financial support.

Our President of the United States has been asking ALL of you for almost a year to step up your volunteer actions. This is such a worthy avenue to do just that!!

On behalf of BDPA Richmond, please share Jackie's message and mine if you like with others so that we can continue to make a difference in the Richmond, Virginia communities.

This email is being sent to all of my Virginia networks because I do believe that BDPA Richmond chapter can make a bigger impact if WE ALL help in some way!!

Please send an email to execboard@bdparichmond.org to learn more about the organization, to volunteer your time or make a donation to one of the education programs.

Thanks!
Annette Yates, Owner
Curves South Mountain
(602) 470-4500

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Jackie and Annette have laid out a powerful message for Richmond chapter that probably applies to the other 44 BDPA chapters around the nation. What say u?

Where Are They Now? Monochrome Displays

What they were: The black-and-white CRT that most businesses and many homes used with computers from the 1970s through the late 1980s -- and they worked just fine, since most DOS applications made little use of color, and early Macs didn’t support it at all.

What happened: Graphical user interfaces, multimedia and games made universal use of color inevitable, but it took a long time before it truly conquered computing. Well into the 1990s, lots of folks who wouldn’t dream of using a black-and-white display with a desktop PC still toted monochrome notebooks. But today, even a $200 netbook has a perfectly respectable color display.

Current whereabouts: You don’t want a monochrome display. But if you did, you wouldn’t have trouble finding one. They’re still out there in large quantities, being used for electronic cash registers and other unglamorous but important text-based applications. And hey, monochrome is making its own unexpected sort of comeback: My brand-new Kindle 2 e-book reader has an E-Ink screen that does 16 shades of gray, and nothing else.

SOURCE: 'Where Are They Now? 25 Computer Products That Refuse to Die' by Harry McCracken.

Message from Richmond Chapter Past President

BDPA Richmond is the 5th largest chapter in the nation. The chapter motto is 'Educate to Elevate'. I encourage other BDPA chapters to look to the brothers and sisters as role models when it comes to the Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program development.

Past president Jackie Pryor shared her thoughts on our BDPA students:

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Good morning BDPA family and friends.

I was one of the participants who interviewed students at the Richmond Technical Center on November 17th. It was a great learning experience. We were given a list of questions to ask the students and we were asked to rate the students on appropriate dress, appearance, grammar, completed documents (cover letter, resume, application), and how well or if they answered the questions. I'm sure you are not surprised as to what I saw. It's amazing how just signing the application was an issue for them, wearing the appropriate attire, and having all of their
references.

We have some very bright students who really want to do well in life. Some of these students have their stuff together. They had plan A, B, and C already set. Then there were other students who just aren't quite there yet. We are all professionals who have been where these students are and we made it to where we are today. They need our help whether they are the students with plans set for the future or students who just don't quite have it together yet. Either way, they need to see professional adults; minority professional adults; the professional they can become.

My request for you is when you see opportunities to volunteer to help our youth, please step up to the plate. It doesn't matter if you have just an hour to spare or a month, they need us to help guide them. That hour (or month) can be used to teach one of our HSCC classes that occurs every Saturday or to talk to one of our college chapters. Once you volunteer, you get hooked.

Thank you for listening and I look forward to seeing you volunteer in 2010. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Jackie Pryor, Immediate Past President
BDPA Richmond Chapter

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What are your thoughts about volunteerism in BDPA? What are your thoughts on Jackie's message?

Vote for BETF in Chase Community Giving Initiative on Facebook

Chase is donating $5 million to local charities, and you help decide where it goes. It's as simple as search, vote, share.

I'm hopeful that all Facebook users that are reading this post will vote for BDPA Education and Technology Foundation.

And tell a friend!

ITSMF: Executive Protege Program

I spent eight years in the Senior Executive Service (SES) with the federal government before striking out to start my own company. It is difficult to travel a career path in the information technology (IT) industry through the glass ceiling to the executive level.

One way to make that journey is with the help of a mentor. As such, I can sincerely recommend that any African American IT professional that is currently in a management position ... who feels that (s)he has executive potential should take a moment to learn about the Executive Protege Program (EPP) offered by the Information Technology Senior Management Forum (ITSMF).

ITSMF exists is to fill the executive pipeline with the next generation of African American executives. The EPP provides the mentoring and networking that mid-level IT managers need to advance their IT careers to the senior and C-level. I am not aware of any other national mentoring program focused on cultivating executive talent among African American IT professionals.

Check out this brief video to learn more about the program from brothers and sisters who participate in it either as mentors or protegees.

Well, BETF-Blog readers ... are you interested in learning more about EPP or ITSMF?

Fundraiser: Kroger Plus Community Awards

We are pleased to report that BDPA is approved for the Kroger Community Awards Program. This means that BDPA can make money every time that you shop at Kroger or buy gas at a Kroger gas station. Are you a Kroger customer? If so, we hope you will take a moment to help BDPA.

All you need to do is register your Kroger Plus Card so that BDPA receives credit for the money you spend at Kroger. If you are a Kroger shopper and don't have Kroger Plus Card, you can pick one up at the customer service desk of any Kroger store.

Follow these steps:

1. Be sure to have your Kroger Plus Card handy when registering with Kroger.



2. Go to http://www.krogercommunityrewards.com/



3. Click on Sign In/Register



4. If you are a brand new online customer (which almost everyone is), you must click SIGN UP TODAY in the new customer box.



5. Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering zip code, clicking on your favorite store, and entering your e-mail address, creating a password and agreeing to terms and conditions.



6. You will then get a message to check your email Inbox. Click on the link within the body of that email to have your browser go to the next signup webpage in the process.



7. Click on My Account and use your email address and password and proceed to the next step.



8. Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input your Kroger Plus Card number. It is the long number under the Bar Code on the back of of the Kroger Plus Card.



9. Update or confirm your information.



10. Enter BDPA's Non Profit Organization (NPO) number: 85104, or BDPA Education and Technology Foundation. Select organization from list and click on confirm.



11. To verify you are enrolled correctly, you will see BDPA's name on the right side of your information page.



12. If you use your phone number at the register (instead of a card), you can call (877) 576-7587 to get your Kroger Plus Card number.



13. When you shop, please swipe your registered Kroger Plus Card or use the phone number that is related to your registered Kroger Plus Card for your purchases to count for credit.

REMEMBER, purchases will not count for BDPA until after you register your card. Thank you for going through this important process so that we can continue to benefit from this generous Kroger Community Rewards Program!

What say u? Will you register your Kroger Plus Card for this fundraiser?

Letter of Inquiry * IBM Community Grant

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) and BDPA Chicago chapter member Curtis Cade partnered an effort to obtain funding to support the chapter's annual education banquet. BETF submitted a letter of inquiry to the IBM community affairs leadership in Chicago under the company's IBM Community Grant program.

IBM volunteers must be working with an eligible community service organization for an average of eight hours per month for five consecutive months to be eligible for either a cash or equipment grant.

"Our new Community Grants program strengthens IBM On Demand Community by leveraging the full strength of IBM innovation and technology," said Stanley S. Litow, vice president of IBM Corporate Citizenship & Corporate Affairs. "We fully expect that the volunteer efforts of our employees, combined with IBM Community Grants, has the potential to make a lasting impact on organizations that provide some of society's most important services."

We anticipate that we'll have an answer for our Chicago-based funding request in the very near future. However, you don't have to wait. If you believe in what BETF or BDPA Chicago chapter are doing then you are encouraged to make a secure online donation right away!

Top 50 Most Important African Americans in Technology

Soulclap to John William Templeton for sharing the 10th annual list of the Top 50 Most Important African Americans in Technology. The list began in 1999.

“African American contributions to technology are as ubiquitous as our movie screens and video games,” notes Templeton, “and as massive as our space exploration, airlines, manufacturing, retail, finance and healthcare. By raising the profile of our overlooked overachievers, we expand the talent base available for the challenges of the future.”

Talented leaders are selected to this list based on their impact on technology and society over the next year. This year's list focused on innovation, workforce development and technical complexity because of the dramatic new investments in science and engineering due to transformations in energy, communications and health care.

The full list can be found on Black Money Worldwide. We are very proud to share some BDPA-Love with our supporters who made the list this year:

• Shellye Archambeau, Chief Executive Officer, MetricStream


• Shirley Bridges, Chief Executive Officer, ShirleyBridges.net


• H. James Dallas, Senior Vice President (Operations), Medtronic


• Martin Davis, Executive Vice President, Wells Fargo


• Monte Ford, Chief Information Officer, American Airlines - He was keynoter at 2004 BDPA Technology Conference in Dallas TX.


• Darrell Freeman, Chairman, Xycron - His company was an early supporter of our BDPA chapter in Nashville TN.


• Dr. Juan Gilbert, Chair of Human Centered Computing, Clemson University - I've known Juan since he was a young 'un at Miami (OH) University. He served for the past few years as the Academic Advisor for the BDPA IT Institute.


• Ben-Saba Hasan, Vice President of People Systems, Walmart - Powerful executive sponsor of our BDPA chapter in Austin TX for many years.


• Dr. Elva Jones, Chair of Computer Science, Winston-Salem State University


• Sherrie B. Littlejohn, Executive Vice President (Enterprise Technology Architecture & Planning), Wells Fargo


• Charles Phillips, President, Oracle


• Alana Ward Robinson, Principal, Robinson Group Consulting


• Mary Spio, President, Co-founder, Gen2Media


• Bonnie Bracey Sutton, Digital Equity Evangelist - Keynote speaker at recent Education Banquet hosted by our BDPA chapter in Chicago IL.


• Vernon Viera, Vice President (Software Development), Pitney Bowes


• Charles Wallace, Chief Information Officer, Keystone Foods - Winner of BDPA Epsilon Award for Professional Achievement.

Selectees of the 10th edition will gather in San Francisco Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to shape a plan to double African American involvement in technology during a symposium on innovation and equity.

One of the highlights of the Tenth Annual Symposum of the 50 Most Important African-Americans in Technology, Friday, Jan. 15, 2010 at Pier One, Port of San Francisco, will be the release of the documentary Freedom Riders of the Cutting Edge.

Also, profiles of these leaders will be presented on the Black Parents Guide with lesson plans geared to elementary and secondary grades between Thanksgiving and January 15, 2010.

It truly is wonderful to see this list that focuses attention on men and women that can be role models for African Americans who seek to advance their careers in the IT industry. Kudos to John William Templeton and his team for sharing this labor of love with the world!

BETF Given a New Combined Federal Campaign Code * 11174

African American give more of their income to charitable causes than any other racial group. In many cases it is done through workplace giving in programs run by the United Way.

Did you know that BETF is one of 28 non-profit organizations in the National Black United Federation of Charities. NBUFC generates resources and support to strengthen families and communities in the United States and Africa.

We encourage all federal employees that participate in the Combined Federal Campaign to make a payroll deducation on behalf of the BDPA Education & Technology Foundation.

Our new CFC code number is 11174.

BETF-Blog Readers, do you know any Federal employees such as your postal delivery person, employees at Social Security, IRS, Homeland Security and so forth? If so, please share our new CFC code (11174) with them so that they might support our efforts with education, children and empowerment.

You can see running list of our most recent donors in the navigation bar over on the right-hand side of our blog. I hope that you are making a personal donation to BETF during this Thanksgiving season!