Message from New York Chapter President

Renetta English

It’s 3 months into the new year and I, along with the rest of the BDPA New York Executive Board, have been working very hard to make sure BDPA is no longer the 'best kept secret' in New York.

February was a very busy month for our chapter. As a new President, I learned so much by attending BDPA’s 1st quarter board meeting in Chicago. There, I had the opportunity to network with the officers on the National BDPA Board of Directors. Yvette Graham, our National President, and the National Executive Committee have a number of goals that have been met to “Take BDPA To The Next Level.” One of the goals was to implement our new website. Have you logged on and updated your profile?

On February 3rd we were featured on the TV program “Caribbean Classroom”. I, along with Denise Hamilton, Director of Education & Community Outreach, were interviewed by the host, John Crow, to discuss the importance of our organization to IT professionals, small business owners and students alike. BDPA NY was also recognized in print on BlackSci-Fi.com and in the February/March 2011 edition of Diversity Careers Magazine.

Moira Jack represented BDPA-NY as a presenter for Blacks at Microsoft (BAM) – Minority Student Day. Guy Duggins, Bilal Muhammad and Moira also represented BDPA at the Computer for Youth Family Computer event. Lastly, I along with members of the board represented the chapter at the Pace University Career Fair and Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Martin Luther King and Black History Month events.

On February 26th we hosted our first community event for 2011 - Black Family Technology Awareness Week (BFTAW) at Abundant Life Christian Center in Brooklyn, NY. All in attendance felt BFTAW was an awesome and informative event. I was also pleased that BDPA members Bilal Muhammad, Guy Duggins, Jasmine Miller, Daniel Jean-Toussaint, Terence Hall, Minta Royster-Burke, and Cheri Jack volunteered their time.

IT Showcase Training Session

On March 5th we launched our IT Showcase Program at the Brooklyn Business Library. I would like to thank Carol Anthony, Director of IT Showcase for her hard work in recruiting our students. Please contact Carol at itshowcase@bdpa-ny.org if you are interested in being a mentor.

Again, I want to remind everyone that we are actively seeking volunteers for our committees and 2011 events and initiatives. We need volunteers to lead or serve on committees in the following areas: Education, Membership, Community Service and Fundraising. I hope that many of you step up to volunteer in some capacity.

Finally, the National BDPA Conference will be held from August 3-6 in Chicago, IL. Have you registered? Register now!

Renetta English, President
BDPA New York Chapter