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?

2010 Best Companies for Blacks in Technology

National BDPA and WorkplaceDiversity.com, the source for diversity talent, awarded the 2010 Best Companies for Blacks in Technology Award to the following companies:

1. Allstate Insurance
2. American Airlines
3. Compuware
4. Eli Lilly & Company
5. Health Care Service Corporation
6. IBM
7. Intel
8. Merck & Company
9. Prudential Financial
10. State Farm Insurance
11. US Navy
12. Wal-Mart Stores
13. WellPoint
14. Wells Fargo

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.

"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 Milt Haynes, National BDPA Past President.

One of these 14 companies will earn the prestigious Epsilon Award for being the 'best of the best'. 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 2010 National BDPA Technology Conference to be held in Philadelphia, PA on July 28-31, at the luxurious Philadelphia Marriott Downtown 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, Yvette Graham. "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. We are very pleased to recognize these companies that are truly practicing workplace diversity in their IT and Supplier Diversity departments.

2009 Best Companies for Blacks in Technology [link]
2008 Epsilon Award Winner, Health Care Services Corporation [link]
2007 Epsilon Award Winner, IBM [link]

Is your company on the list? Who do you think will win the Epsilon Award as the 'best of the best' company for Blacks in technology this year?

2009 Best Companies for Blacks in Technology

National BDPA and WorkplaceDiversity.com, the source for diversity talent, announced Allstate Insurance, American Airlines, Compuware, Eli Lilly and Company, Health Care Service Corporation, Merck and Company, Monsanto, State Farm Insurance, SunTrust Bank, Wal-Mart Stores, and WellPoint as the winners of the 2009 Best Companies for Blacks in Technology Award.

"These companies deserve special recognition for their outstanding community outreach and diversity recruiting programs and for promoting a significant number of African Americans into their IT management ranks," said Milt Haynes, National BDPA Past President. "One of these companies will be announced as the Top Company for Blacks in Technology and receive the much coveted Epsilon Award."

The Epsilon Award is presented annually to the top company in the nation that promotes a workplace and environment that supports the advancement of Blacks in the information technology industry. The Epsilon Award will be presented later this year at the 2009 National BDPA Technology Conference to be held August 5-9 the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, NC.

"We are very pleased to recognize the outstanding contributions that these companies have made for Blacks in Technology," said National BDPA President, Denise Holland. "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 Corporate Sponsors and Supporters were asked to complete a comprehensive survey that was used to rate their performance in the areas of Demographics, Diversity Programs, Diversity (Training, Affinity Groups), Tenure, Promotions and Terminations, Diversity Recruiting, Career Path Programs, Minority Vendor Programs, and Community Outreach.

"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 departments."