Grant Declination: SAS Institute (BDPA Triangle)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) and BDPA Triangle chapter had our grant proposal declined by SAS Institute.   We had sought $15,000 for the 2018 Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program.

We were informed by Dawn Leister, SAS community relations specialist who wrote,

Good afternoon Mr. Hicks,

Thank you for taking the time to submit a donation application to SAS requesting $15,000 for the Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program in the Triangle.

While STEM education in the classroom is one of our philanthropic focus areas, we are moving more to policy related efforts in early learning, in particular, as they relate to third grade literacy proficiency. With that said, our funding is limited - there are many strong programs in the Triangle area, and we wish we could support them all. However, we are fully committed to our current education partners. While this program is truly worthy - and we appreciate the opportunity to partner – we are unable to provide funding.

Although we cannot support BDPA and the SITES program, we do wish you all the best. Thank you for making such a difference in the lives of so many.

Sincerely,
Dawn Leister
Community Relations Specialist
& Executive Assistant to Ann Goodnight
SAS Institute Inc.
100 SAS Campus Drive
Cary, NC 27513

BETF is willing to work with any of the BDPA and the other 45 chapters to obtain the funding that they need to successfully deliver their 2018 SITES program. Simply reach out to the BETF executive director if you have questions or wish to discuss further.

Matthew Mugeni Will Use Bemley Scholarship at North Carolina State University

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) is proud to announce that Matthew Mugeni will use the Bemley Scholarship awarded all the members of the BDPA Triangle High School Computer Competition (HSCC) team with a $1,000 college scholarship at North Carolina State University.

Matthew Mugeni * Bemley Scholar (2017)

We asked Matthew to share his thoughts on BDPA:

"I am 18 years old living in Raleigh, North Carolina. I graduated from Leesville Road High School and currently enrolled at North Carolina State University for Engineering. I have been part of BDPA for 4 years and for every year and I got the chance to attend and compete at the National Conference. In my final year of competing my team and I placed 3rd in the competition. I have loved every second I've been in BDPA and owe the organization a great thanks.

Without BDPA I would not have learned the technical skills of information technology, such as computer programming, or soft skills, such as public speaking and how to act or present yourself in corporate settings. Finally, BDPA allowed me to participate in a movement of Black professionals and allowed me to work with people that looked like me especially since there is a scarcity of people of color in STEM fields. Ultimately, BDPA has pushed me further to pursue my dreams of becoming a Black Professional in the STEM field as has also taught me never to waver from that dream."

BDPA is blessed to have such a young and talented student as a winner of the Bemley Scholarship. We look forward to supporting Matthew's career as he seeks to advance in the technology industry.

Grant Proposal: SAS Institute (BDPA Triangle)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) worked closely with the officers of the BDPA Triangle chapter to submit a grant proposal to SAS Institute seeking $15,000 for the 2018 Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program. We hope to have an answer within the next couple of months.

BETF is willing to work with any of the 46 local BDPA chapters to obtain the funding that they need to successfully deliver their 2018 SITES program. Simply reach out to the BETF executive director if you have questions or wish to discuss further.

Braxton Smith Will Use Bemley Scholarship at North Carolina A&T State University

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) is proud to announce that Braxton Smith will use the Bemley Scholarship awarded all the members of the BDPA Triangle High School Computer Competition (HSCC) team with a $1,000 college scholarship at North Carolina A&T State University.

Braxton Smith * Bemley Scholar

Braxton had a 4.0 GPA in high school and his overarching goal is to study computer science and utilize the skills he learns to enter the information technology field.   Braxton was a member of Art Club, Anime Club, Music Club and Computer Club. He has been a bowler for the last 13 years and he joined Movement of Youth, a mentoring and volunteer program that exposes students to the ‘college experience’. He volunteered at several local groups, such as Project Seeds, Durham Urban Ministries and the Durham Rescue Mission. Braxton also assisted Omega Psi Phi Fraternity as a volunteer at several church outreach programs. He worked as a summer intern with CISCO configuring servers in conjunction with being an apprentice with the Shodor Foundation. Both positions allowed him to work with web design, code development and languages and mathematical calculations. To finish it all off, Braxton worked in the Genome Science Department at Duke University.

Braxton plans to study computer science at North Carolina A&T State University. Braxton believes in the personal statement from Colin Powell, "There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure."

We asked Braxton to share his personal testimonial on BDPA:

2017 BDPA Triangle (Braxton is on the right)

"I have been with the BDPA for a total of two years and in that time-frame I have had the honor and privilege of doing things people dream about. I got to attend two national conferences as the lead front end coder for the High School Computer Competition team. Since the first day I entered the BDPA, I have been truly taken from the classroom to the boardroom. Better than that, I found a second family at BDPA Triangle Chapter, one where the bonds between us members cannot be broken. My success that is to come is greatly due to this family I share here and I will not hesitate to come back and assist the Triangle Chapter with HSCC teaching or just for motivation. Additionally, I look forward to possibly partake in the college BDPA IT Showcase and BDPA Mobile Application  Showcase competitions. In conclusion, BDPA is an organization, group, and a family that I would recommend to any hungry, curious mind that searches for ways to truly disrupt the system."

BDPA is blessed to have such a young and talented student as a winner of the Bemley Scholarship. We look forward to supporting Braxton's career as he seeks to advance in the technology industry!

Lyndon Bowen, Jr. Will Use Bemley Scholarship at North Carolina Central University

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) is proud to announce that Lyndon Bowen, Jr. will use the Bemley Scholarship awarded all the members of the BDPA Triangle High School Computer Competition (HSCC) team with a $1,000 college scholarship at the North Carolina Central University.

Lyndon Bowen, Jr. * HSCC Alumni (2015-2017)

Lyndon is an aspiring entrepreneur, technology advocate, and space exploration enthusiast. He has devoted himself to improving many aspects of his community, from youth inclusion in technology related fields to the mentoring and revitalization of troubled youth. He has worked very closely with the Black Data Processing Associates and the National Youth Rights Association. Currently, he is pursuing a degree in Computer Science and Business with a concentration in Information Systems at North Carolina Central University located in Durham, NC. Lyndon strongly believes in the role that his generation must play in the future and he is dedicated to bringing his ideas to fruition.

We asked Lyndon to share his thoughts on BDPA:

BDPA Triangle HSCC Team (Lyndon, 2nd-Right)

"I have been a member of BDPA Triangle chapter for three years. During the time that I have been part of the organization, I have had the amazing privilege of attending three national conferences. For the past three years, I have been the project manager and full stack coder of the High School Computer Competition (HSCC) team. While I had the privilege of leading my team our ranking at the National BDPA Technology Conference increased from nearly last place to third place. I look forward with great anticipation to continuing to be a part of the BDPA, moving towards working with the college aspect of the Triangle Chapter as well as coaching and mentoring the next HSCC Triangle team. I am also greatly interested in competing in either the college mobile app competition or the college IT showcase. BDPA is an organization that I would recommend wholeheartedly to any young mind to set them on a journey from the classroom to the boardroom and to show them how to truly disrupt."

BDPA is blessed to have such a young and talented student as a winner of the Bemley Scholarship. We look forward to supporting Lyndon's career as he seeks to advance in the technology industry! 

Top 10 BDPA Chapters (Membership, July 2017)

The lifeblood of any nonprofit association is its membership. We have a chapter who leads the nation in BDPA members.... BDPA Cincinnati.   The chapter ... led by its president, Shawnda Peterson ... continues to amaze others by its consistent growth.  The chapter recently hosted the 39th BDPA Technology Conference in downtown Cincinnati and it was a remarkable event and everyone appeared to have a great time! 

Judaea Lane

The largest movement came from BDPA St. Louis chapter who moved up to 4th place as a result of the agreement they came to with Daugherty Business Solutions.   Malcom Mathis is the president of the chapter and they are doing well.  We continue to operate under the leadership of acting National BDPA VP-Membership Management Judaea Lane.   Her team now includes Chad White (Dallas).  Her efforts have allowed BDPA to continue to grow.   She realizes that we need to work hard to keep membership growth and retention higher.

BDPA believes in the management maxim -- you get what you measure.  Let us assess the numbers in order to honor those local BDPA chapters who are demonstrating success in their efforts to recruit and retain members.  Let's take a look at the ten largest chapters in BDPA-Nation:

1. Cincinnati - president, Shawnda Peterson
2. Detroit - president, Loraine Stewart-David
3. Chicago - president, Reggie Rush 
4. St. Louis - president, Malcom Mathis
5. Atlanta - president, Victor Montgomery
   
6. Indianapolis - president, Delano Robinson
7. Philadelphia - president, Cedric Edwards
8. Washington DC - president, Perry Carter
9. New Jersey - president, Goldie Bonney
   
10. Triangle - president, Carl Hill 

The number of chapters now belonging to the 'BDPA Century Club' currently stands at two.  The benefit of having powerful leadership is obvious when we see that Cincinnati and Detroit each have over 100 members. One of the common denominators for each of these chapters is that they place a high premium on the delivery of quality programs and services to their members. These chapters work hard to ensure that there is a strong return on the $100 investment that each member makes thru annual dues.

National president Mike Williams recently touted the value that organizational re-branding has made on BDPA.  What are your thoughts about the value of BDPA membership? What can your local chapter do to improve the value-proposition for you on a personal or professional level?

Top 10 BDPA Chapters (Membership, March 2017)

The lifeblood of any nonprofit association is its membership. We have a new chapter who leads the nation in BDPA members.... BDPA Cincinnati.   The chapter ... led by its president, Shawnda Peterson ... continues to amaze others by its consistent growth.  The chapter grew by 40 members in the past month as they continue moving towards the next milestone of having 200 members this year.

We continue to operate under the leadership of National BDPA VP-Membership Management Mildred Allen.   Her team now includes Chad White (Dallas) and Judaea Lane (Memphis).  Her efforts have allowed BDPA to continue to grow.   She realizes that we need to work hard to keep membership growth and retention higher.

Shawnda Peterson

BDPA believes in the management maxim -- you get what you measure.  Let us assess the numbers in order to honor those local BDPA chapters who are demonstrating success in their efforts to recruit and retain members.  Let's take a look at the ten largest chapters in BDPA-Nation:

1. Cincinnati - president, Shawnda Peterson
2. Detroit - president, Loraine Stewart-David
3. Atlanta - president, Vincent Montgomery
   
4. Chicago - president, Reggie Rush 
5. Indianapolis - president, Delano Robinson
   
6. Philadelphia - president, Cedric Edwards
7. Milwaukee - president, Allen Baylor
8.  Washington DC - president, Perry Carter
   
9. Triangle - president, Carl Hill 
10. New York - president, Tyrone McKinney

The number of chapters now belonging to the 'BDPA Century Club' currently stands at three.  The benefit of having powerful leadership is obvious when we see that Detroit, Cincinnati and Atlanta each have over 100 members. One of the common denominators for each of these chapters is that they place a high premium on the delivery of quality programs and services to their members. These chapters work hard to ensure that there is a strong return on the $100 investment that each member makes thru annual dues.

National president Mike Williams recently touted the value that organizational re-branding has made on BDPA.  What are your thoughts about the value of BDPA membership? What can your local chapter do to improve the value-proposition for you on a personal or professional level?

Top 10 BDPA Chapters (Membership, November 2016)

The lifeblood of any nonprofit association is its membership. We have a new chapter who leads the nation in BDPA members.... BDPA Detroit.   The chapter ... led by its president, Loraine Stewart-David ... continues to amaze others by its consistent growth.  The chapter grew by over 27% in  the past year as they continue moving towards the next milestone of having 300 members this year.

We continue to operate under the leadership of National BDPA VP-Membership Management Mildred Allen.   Her team now includes Chad White (Dallas) and Judaea Lane (Memphis).  Her efforts have allowed BDPA to continue to grow.   She realizes that we need to work hard to keep membership growth and retention higher.

Loraine Stewart-David * BDPA Detroit President

BDPA believes in the management maxim -- you get what you measure.  Let us assess the numbers in order to honor those local BDPA chapters who are demonstrating success in their efforts to recruit and retain members.  Let's take a look at the ten largest chapters in BDPA-Nation:

1. Detroit - president, Loraine Stewart-David
2. Cincinnati - president, Shawnda Peterson
3. Atlanta - president, Vincent Montgomery
   
4. Chicago - president, Reggie Rush 
5. Indianapolis - president, Terry Morris
   
6. Philadelphia - president, Cedric Edwards
7. Milwaukee - president, Allen Baylor
8.  Washington DC - president, Perry Carter
   
9. New York - president, Tyrone McKinney
10. Triangle - president, Carl Hill 

The number of chapters now belonging to the 'BDPA Century Club' currently stands at four.  The benefit of having powerful leadership is obvious when we see that Detroit, Cincinnati, Atlanta and Chicago each have over 100 members. One of the common denominators for each of these chapters is that they place a high premium on the delivery of quality programs and services to their members. These chapters work hard to ensure that there is a strong return on the $100 investment that each member makes thru annual dues.

National president Mike Williams recently touted the value that organizational re-branding has made on BDPA.  What are your thoughts about the value of BDPA membership? What can your local chapter do to improve the value-proposition for you on a personal or professional level?

Top 10 BDPA Chapters (Membership, September 2016)

The lifeblood of any nonprofit association is its membership.  BDPA Cincinnati remains the #1 BDPA chapter in the nation.   The chapter ... led by its president,  Shawnda Peterson ... continues to amaze others by its consistent growth.   It will be interesting to see if the chapter can continue growing towards the next milestone of having 300 members this year.

We continue to operate under the leadership of National BDPA VP-Membership Management Mildred Allen.   Her team now includes Chad White (Dallas) and Judaea Lane (Memphis).  Her efforts have allowed BDPA to continue to grow.   She realizes that we need to work hard to keep membership growth and retention higher.

Loraine Stewart-David * BDPA Detroit President

BDPA Detroit was the fastest growing chapter in the nation last month.   It is now the 2nd largest chapter in September 2016.  The chapter is under the leadership of its president, Loraine Stewart-David.  There are a number of positive aspects of this chapter including its willingness to meet on a monthly basis at a local technology center. It is no accident that active efforts within a local BDPA chapter results in more members ... more members results in more membership dues ... which makes it easier to implement more consistent and effect programs and services. How are things going in your local chapter?

BDPA believes in the management maxim -- you get what you measure.  Let us assess the numbers in order to honor those local BDPA chapters who are demonstrating success in their efforts to recruit and retain members.  Let's take a look at the ten largest chapters in BDPA-Nation:

1. Cincinnati - president, Shawnda Peterson
2. Detroit - president, Loraine Stewart-David
   
3. Atlanta - president, Keith Humphrey
   
4. Chicago - president, Reggie Rush 
5. Indianapolis - president, Terry Morris
   
6. Philadelphia - president, Cedric Edwards
7. Milwaukee - president, Carmen Giles
8.  Washington DC - president, Perry Carter
   
9. New York - president, Tyrone McKinney
10. Triangle - president, Carl Hill 

The number of chapters now belonging to the 'BDPA Century Club' currently stands at four.  The benefit of having powerful leadership is obvious when we see that Cincinnati, Detroit, Atlanta and Chicago each have over 100 members. One of the common denominators for each of these chapters is that they place a high premium on the delivery of quality programs and services to their members. These chapters work hard to ensure that there is a strong return on the $100 investment that each member makes thru annual dues.

National president Mike Williams recently touted the value that organizational re-branding has made on BDPA.  What are your thoughts about the value of BDPA membership? What can your local chapter do to improve the value-proposition for you on a personal or professional level?

Top 10 BDPA Chapters (Membership, August 2016)

The lifeblood of any nonprofit association is its membership.  BDPA Cincinnati remains the #1 BDPA chapter in the nation.   The chapter ... led by its president,  Shawnda Peterson ... continues to amaze others by its consistent growth.   It will be interesting to see if the chapter can continue growing towards the next milestone of having 300 members this year.

We are very happy to see that National BDPA VP-Membership Management Mildred Allen has been asked by the current administration to stay on in her leadership role.  Her efforts have allowed BDPA to continue to grow.   She realizes that we need to work hard to keep membership growth and retention higher.

BDPA Atlanta HSCC Team (2016 Champions)

BDPA Atlanta chapter held its place as the 2nd largest chapter in August 2016.   Not only is the chapter growing its membership it is also winning the national High School Computer Competition with Noah Armstead, Wilfred Powell, Cameron Reaves, Malik Saafir and Saket Shirsath.   It is no accident that active efforts within a local BDPA chapter results in more members ... more members results in more membership dues ... which makes it easier to implement more consistent and effect programs and services. How are things going in your local chapter?

BDPA believes in the management maxim -- you get what you measure.  Let us assess the numbers in order to honor those local BDPA chapters who are demonstrating success in their efforts to recruit and retain members. Congratulations to BDPA Dallas chapter for moving into this month's Top 10 list!  Let's take a look at the ten largest chapters in BDPA-Nation:

1. Cincinnati - president, Shawnda Peterson
2. Detroit - president, Loraine Stewart-David
   
3. Atlanta - president, Keith Humphrey
   
4. Chicago - president, Reggie Rush 
5. Indianapolis - president, Terry Morris
   
6. Philadelphia - president, Cedric Edwards
7. Milwaukee - president, Carmen Giles
8.  Washington DC - president, Perry Carter
   
9. New York - president, Tyrone McKinney
10. Triangle - president, Carl Hill 

The number of chapters now belonging to the 'BDPA Century Club' currently stands at four.  The benefit of having powerful leadership is obvious when we see that Cincinnati, Chicago, Detroit and Atlanta each have over 100 members. One of the common denominators for each of these chapters is that they place a high premium on the delivery of quality programs and services to their members. These chapters work hard to ensure that there is a strong return on the $100 investment that each member makes thru annual dues.

National president Mike Williams recently touted the value that organizational re-branding has made on BDPA.  What are your thoughts about the value of BDPA membership? What can your local chapter do to improve the value-proposition for you on a personal or professional level?

BDPA Triangle SITES Program (2013)

The Student Information Technology Education and Scholarship (SITES) program has been up and running for over a quarter century within BDPA. Two of the frequent initiatives under the SITES umbrella are the High School Computer Competition (HSCC) and the BDPA IT Showcase. BDPA Triangle chapter has a powerful legacy in both of these student initiatives since its founding in September 1989.

BDPA Triangle Chapter exposes middle school and high school students to the rigors of work life through development of their Computer, Information and Internet Technology skills to solve business problems. Students participate in 3-hour training sessions each Saturday, from April through June. The 12-week initiative, known as the 'BDPA Saturday Academy' includes course manuals and web-based content, online assessment, student performance tracking, hands-on-labs, instructor training and support, and focuses on industry standard certifications.

BDPA Triangle Chapter trained students from 22 area high schools, representing 12 counties located throughout the Research Triangle region. Students participating in the SITES program learn dynamic skills such as: Web-based applications, JavaScript, PHP, Project Management, Business Analysis, E-Commerce Web Applications, problem resolution, Flow-charting, Mobile Applications, Database Administration, Data Modeling, IT Security, Solution Design and much more.

Out of that training five students (see photo) earned the right to represent BDPA Triangle chapter at the 2013 National BDPA High School Computer Competition championships in Washington DC.

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) urges you to reach deep to support these young people. Please make a secure online donation to the BDPA Triangle Chapter HSCC Scholarship Fund.

Grant Disbursement: BDPA Triangle Chapter ($650)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) exists to providing funding support for BDPA programs, scholarships and services in our 46 local chapters around the nation. As such, BETF is pleased to announce approval of a $650 grant disbursement to BDPA Triangle chapter. The funds will support a truly uplifting event held earlier this year.

Carl Hill Congratulates Ensign Stevenson

BDPA Triangle chapter president Carl Hill and chapter VP-Finance Bobby Lamaute made their request as follows:

"BDPA Triangle chapter provided a venue and event to announce the graduation and announcement of a HSCC participant from South Carolina. Ensign Raven Stephenson graduated from Duke University with a full scholarship of $180k that was awarded in 2009 by the US Navy. Sever chapter presidents participated in this momentous occasion that was well-publicized. In attendance were chapter presidents from Greater Columbia, Triangle and Washington DC as well as national president Monique Berry."

It is always a pleasure when BETF is able to celebrate the success of the young people in our Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship program. BDPA volunteers work day-by-day to advance the careers of BDPA members in the IT industry from the 'classroom to the boardroom'. You can do your part. You can make a secure online donation that will help some of our students in North Carolina afford a college education. What say u?

Golden Technology Services Supports STEM Training for Young People in North Carolina

Carl Hill

Please join BDPA in welcoming Golden Technology Services on board as our newest BDPA corporate sponsor. This small business is owned by BDPA Triangle chapter president Carl Hill. The company provides funding for the meals that nourish the bodies of the young people taking part in the Saturday computer camps hosted by BDPA in the Raleigh/Durham (NC) area.

Golden Technology Services proves itself equal with corporate giants like HP and Johnson & Johnson by making this investment in BDPA programs, scholarships and services.   Our hope is that other BDPA entrepreneurs and business owners will follow the example being set by Carl and his company.

BDPA HSCC Alum Raven Stevenson Becomes a Naval Officer

This BDPA Education and Technology Foundation blog first introduced Raven Stevenson back in 2009. She was a member of the High School Computer Competition team trained by BDPA Greater Columbia chapter to compete in the 2009 National BDPA High School Computer Competition (HSCC) championship. During that week Raven met with representatives from the US Navy ... and on the final night of the 2009 National BDPA Technology Conference, Raven accepted a full ride scholarship to Duke University using a Navy ROTC scholarship. Raven shared her story with us on the BDPA iRadio Show back in December 2011.

Fast forward to 2013. Midshipman Stevenson is a Neuroscience major and plans to attend medical school after completing the Navy's Basic Division Officer's Course and the Advanced Ship Handling and Tactics course required for Surface Warfare Officer qualifications. Midshipman First Class Stevenson will join her Navy and Marine Corps shipmates later this month during a formal Naval Officer Commissioning Ceremony for at the Duke University Chapel.

BDPA Triangle chapter will host a reception to honor Raven and her family on Friday, May 10, 2013.  Contact BDPA South Region director Teresa Williams (teresa.williams@bdpa.org) or BDPA Triangle chapter president Carl Hill (carl.hill@gtscloud.com) if you are interested in attending the BDPA reception.

If you are unable to attend in person, then perhaps you can help us provide college scholarships to the next generation of young people coming from Raven's home chapter in South Carolina. Visit the BDPA Greater Columbia HSCC Scholarship Fund and do what you think is best!

Future Face of Technology: Justin Harris (PentaPlate, BDPA Triangle Chapter)

It is a privilege to be part of an organization that provides programs, scholarships and services from the 'classroom to the boardroom' in our effort to advance the careers of African Americans in the IT industry. BDPA hosted over a hundred high school students at our 34th annual BDPA Technology Conference held earlier this month in Baltimore.

Justin Harris was one of the young men at the conference. Justin is a 10th grader attending East Chapel Hill High School in Durham, NC. He enjoys entrepreneurial activities, film making, web designing, wrestling, and other martial arts. He competed in the 2012 High School Computer Competition as part of the national team trained by BDPA Triangle chapter.

But, Justin is more than just a high school student and HSCC alumni ... he is also an entrepreneur and a 'future face of technology'! You see, Justin is co-owner and CEO of PentaPlate. Justin founded PentaPlate in July 2011, with one goal in mind, expand the world of teenage business. As an entrepreneur, tech wizard, and firm believer in collaboration, Justin hopes to help fellow entrepreneurs by offering advice on management, expansion techniques, innovative use of technology, and personal networking. He relishes the opportunity of fulfilling his dream: create the only social network for teenage entrepreneurs to build teams, collaborate on business ideas, and find investors.

Justin shared more with us about his company and vision:

"At PentaPlate, we strongly believe in teenage collaboration! PentaPlate is the first teenage-run consulting company, for teenage-run businesses in the world. We provide executive advice, business development, web development, guerrilla marketing techniques, and professional help. We make teenage entrepreneurs grow – and all for free! Every year we select five teenage entrepreneurs to participate in our free 8 month long consulting program. Again, we provide all of our consulting for free.

Currently, we're working on building Envision — The world's first teenage entrepreneur social network! Envision will allow all teenagers to share their ideas, build a team, and receive funding via a secure donation application on Envision. Envision will be programmed in PHP/MYSQL, which I am excited to be learning more about in the BDPA Triangle SITES program! I have big plans to expand the world of teenage business. As an entrepreneur, tech wizard, and firm believer in teenage collaboration, I hope to help fellow entrepreneurs by offering advice on management, expansion techniques, innovative use of technology, and personal networking. One day, teenagers all over the world will be able to http://EnvisionWith.Me."

Methinks that we'll be hearing more about this young squire for many years to come!

BDPA Students Demonstrate STEM Skills at BDPA Southeast Regional High School Computer Competition

The BDPA Southeastern Regional High School Computer Competition (HSCC) was held on Saturday, June 18th, at IT-oLogy, a local sponsor of the event. BDPA Greater Columbia chapter hosted the event with participants arriving in South Carolina from as far away as Atlanta, Charlotte and Raleigh/Durham. The regional HSCC championship is a warm-up for the national HSCC championship held August 3-6, 2011 at the National BDPA Technology Conference in Chicago.

BDPA is an internationally recognized organization of IT professionals whose goals include preparing young people who are interested in becoming the next generation of 'Information Technology Thought Leaders' in academia and Corporate America. The regional and national HSCC championships are part of the BDPA science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) pipeline summarized in its motto, 'From the Classroom to the Boardroom'.

Each year BDPA chapters across the country offer website and database design classes to middle and high-school students. In addition to technical subjects, students are also exposed to soft skills training, current technology topics and speakers from various professions.

At the national level, BDPA hosts a computer competition at its annual conference and each chapter is invited to bring a five-member team to compete. Winners at the national level are rewarded with scholarships and sponsor-donated items, up to and including laptop computers.

For students who are not on competition teams, the National BDPA Technology Conference holds a Youth Technology Camp where students attend seminars and hands-on workshops on technology, entrepreneurship and soft skills topics offered by leaders in their fields. The X-Box competition workshops are always a favorite.

This year’s BDPA Southeast Regional HSCC featured 38 students, representing 19 middle and high schools from Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina plus over 30 instructors, chaperones, parents and spectators. The competition consisted of a written test, oral team round-robin test and a web/database design problem – all timed.

BDPA Atlanta Wins 1st Place

Winners of the 2011 SE Regional HSCC:

1. BDPA Atlanta
2. BDPA Triangle
3. BDPA Greater Columbia
4. BDPA Charlotte

For more information about the BDPA Southeast Regional HSCC you can contact BDPA Greater Columbia chapter president Phyllis Coleman at (803) 414-2461.

Message from Triangle Chapter HSCC Coordinator

Dear BDPA Member or Friend:

Valerie Johnson

The Student Information Technology Education and Scholarship (SITES) program has been in existence for 25 years. This is an intensive program designed to identify, select and foster professional and computer programming skills of 9th through 12th graders.

The goal of the SITES program is to teach students how to use computer software to solve business problems. Students will be coached on how to conduct themselves in a professional manner. They will learn how to analyze a problem, and design and implement a solution. They will learn how to lead and participate as effective members of a team.

Our instructors are Information Technology professionals from top notch local area companies such as Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC, SAS, State of North Carolina State Auditors Department, Deutsche Bank, Yorel Integrated Solutions and N2NetSecurity. Students will also have the opportunity to meet Senior level IT Executives and Chief Information Officers from area fortune 1000 corporations.

Training for the SITES program will be held each Saturday (March 5 thru May 21, 2011) at St. Augustine's College from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Students chosen to participate in the High School Computer Competition (HSCC) will have additional training June through July 2011, and be eligible to participate in the regional competition. Three to five students will also have major expenses paid to attend the 33rd National BDPA Technology Conference & HSCC Championship to be held in Chicago, Illinois August 3-6, 2011.

There is a $50.00 lab fee to participate in the program. Full and partial scholarships are available (provided by Generations Community Credit Union), and two (2) students will receive a $500 college scholarship award from BDPA Triangle Chapter. Students are eligible to earn even more scholarship money during the national competition. Scholarships awarded at the conference provide for an additional $2,500 for 1st place!

Register Now!

For more information, eligibility requirements and registration, please visit our web site: http://www.bdpatriangle.org or call (919) 425-2107.

Warm Regards,
Valerie Y. Johnson
HSCC Coordinator

Consortium for Enterprise Systems Management Scholarship for BDPA Students (Deadline Extended: 12/31/2010)

Consortium for Enterprise Systems Management (CESM) executive director Lonnie Emard is enthusiastic about his work. CESM is a collaboration of companies, colleges and universities, and community groups that share a mission: Increase the supply in the IT talent pipeline. As such, Mr. Emard thought it would be a great idea to offer a scholarship for any qualified high school student in BDPA-nation.

Applicants must excel academically, show exceptional leadership potential, and make an impact on their communities through service to others. Applicants need to (a) be from South Carolina or North Carolina or (b) attend a college in either of these two states.

Consortium/BDPA Scholars will be awarded a one-time $2,000 scholarship that may be used to pursue an information technology focused degree at an accredited four-year college or university of their choice located in South Carolina or North Carolina. The Consortium/BDPA scholarship may be used to supplement benefits from the college or university a student plans to attend and fellowships from other foundations or organizations. Students may use the scholarship to cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, room and board, and other college-related expenses.

Scholarship winners will be selected based on the application, essay, and letters of recommendation.

The deadline has been extended to December 31, 2010 and we want to see great activity from our students ... especially those in our BDPA chapters located in Charlotte, Greater Columbia or Triangle.

Download the application to see the details!

Grant Proposal: Costco Wholesale Foundation (BDPA Triangle)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) submitted a $2,000 grant proposal to the Costco Wholesale Regional Office in North Carolina on behalf of BDPA Triangle chapter. We're hopeful to get funding necessary to expand the Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program in the Raleigh/Durham area.

Costco Wholesale's giving guidelines allow their warehouses and regional offices to support programs focusing on children, education and health and human services. Costco Wholesale is committed to supporting charitable and community activities in the markets where we do business.

We hope to get an answer by February 2011. Wish us luck!

This Week in BDPA (Oct 17-23)

BDPA has 45 chapters around the nation. You can always find programs, services or networking activity here or here. BDPA supports your efforts for career advancement in the IT industry. Our hope is that you will continue to support Our Cause!

Are you taking advantage of these programs? Here is a weekly preview of upcoming events gathered from the centralized BDPA calendar :

• Oct 18: Triangle - Program Meeting, 'What Does It Take to Be a Minority Entrepreneur'
• Oct 18: New York - Workshop, 'Creating Your Safety Net for the Internet'
• Oct 19: Cleveland - Program Meeting, 'Introduction to Community Partners in Northeast Ohio - LifeBanc and BRICK'
• Oct 20: St. Louis - Program Meeting, 'Network for Hire'
• Oct 14: Philadelphia - Program Meeting, 'Annual Recruiter's Roundtable'
  

We encourage all BDPA leaders to take advantage of the centralized BDPA Groupsite Calendar to post your upcoming events! Please let us know of other BDPA events that we may have missed. Most importantly, let us know if you plan to attend any BDPA events this week.