2011 Best Companies for Blacks in Technology

National BDPA and WorkplaceDiversity.com announced Allstate Insurance, American Airlines, BlueCross BlueShield of IL, NM, OK, & TX , Intel, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Northrop Grumman, State Farm Insurance, Wal-Mart Stores, WellPoint and Wells Fargo as the winners of the 2011 Best Companies for Blacks in Technology Award.

“These companies deserve special recognition for promoting a significant number of African Americans into their IT management ranks and for their outstanding community outreach and minority vendor programs,” said National BDPA President, Yvette Graham.

The Best Companies for Blacks in Technology will receive the much coveted Epsilon Award. Epsilon Awards are presented annually to the top companies in the nation that promote a workplace and environment that supports the advancement of Blacks in the information technology industry. Epsilon Awards will be presented later this year at the 2011 National BDPA Technology Conference to be held in Chicago, IL on August 3-6, at the luxurious Hilton Chicago Hotel.

BDPA, a national organization, is the premier organization for African Americans in Information Technology (IT). Founded in 1975, BDPA is celebrating a 30-year commitment to closing the digital divide.

"We are very pleased to recognize the outstanding contributions that these companies have made for Blacks in Technology," said National BDPA President-Elect, Monique Berry. “In this economy, many African Americans in technology are concerned about opportunities for both employment and advancement. It is important to recognize those exceptional companies that have provided African Americans with challenging and fulfilling career opportunities in Information Technology.”

“BDPA is the voice of African Americans in IT,” said Dan Honig, Chief Operating Officer of WorkplaceDiversity.com. “WorkplaceDiversity.com is honored to be working with BDPA because it is committed to closing the digital divide and helping African American IT professionals advance.” Added Honig, “We are very pleased to recognize these companies that are truly practicing workplace diversity in their IT and Supplier Diversity departments.”

BDPA Corporate Sponsors and Supporters were asked to complete a comprehensive survey that was used to rate their performance in the areas of Tenure, Promotions and Terminations, Career Path Programs, Minority Vendor Programs, and Community Outreach.

Congratulations to these eleven corporations!  I hope that they will each find ways to work with BDPA Education and Technology Foundation over the coming weeks and months ... (HINT, HINT, HINT!)


What is your thought of these winners?   Have you had any experiences that you care to share?