Where Are They Now: 1976 BDPA Officers

BDPA first year of operation was in 1976. That year was devoted to stabilizing the young organization. Highlights of the year included presentations on such topics as Computer Security, Use of Data Processing in the Securities Field, Data Processing from a Users' View, Entry Level Data Processing, and the Automated Office of the Future.

The year ended with 35 members.

The following officers were elected or appointed in June 1976:

• President - Earl Pace Jr.
• Vice President - Ralph Gordon
• Secretary - Charles Jones Jr. (deceased)
• Treasurer - Mary Ann Lowery
• Program Committee - Craig Bethea, Roy Barnes (deceased), Douglas Funderburg
• Membership Committee - James Moten (deceased), Howard James and Edward Royster

Of course, we are blessed to see Earl Pace regularly at BDPA board meetings and the annual conference. Mary Ann Lowery served as national BDPA treasurer well into the 1990s. Howard James served as BDPA Philadelphia chapter president in the 1990s. Howard is currently an entrepreneur building a business in the growing tea industry.

However, we don't see the other officers from 1976 as often. Where are they now?

Related articles

• 36-Year History of BDPA Conference Themes
• Where Are They Now? BDPA Cleveland Chapter Presidents
• Where Are They Now? BDPA Los Angeles Chapter Presidents
• BDPA Founder Earl Pace Asks, 'Is BDPA a Promise Unfulfilled?'
• The 'Butterfly Effect' and BDPA Co-Founder David Wimberly

Wordless Wednesday: Howard and Karen James, Former BDPA Philadelphia Chapter President and First Lady

SOURCE: BDPA Foundation Photostream on Flickr

Wordless Wednesday: BDPA Philadelphia Chapter Presidents (1991-2011)

SOURCE: BDPA Foundation Flickr Photostream

What is BDPA? Howard James (Philadelphia)

Many people have never heard of BDPA. We have asked BETF-Blog readers and others to answer the query, 'What is BDPA?'. Howard James (owner, Tea Country) shared his thoughts on this question with us recently:

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BDPA is an IT legacy builder. I'm a charter member of BDPA (1975) and have been financially current since then (and now a life member). When Earl Pace and David Wimberly first had the audacity to approach a bunch of us in Philly in 1975 about starting an organization for Black IT professionals to help each other and our community, there was no doubt in my mind that they were on to something. We met a number of times to determine what it was we wanted to really be, then we voted on the name BDPA from among three names placed on the table. This, and the rest, is history.

I've served as President of the Philadelphia Chapter in 1990-1991. I received National Member of the Year in 1992.

My active involvement with BDPA has varied from heavy to light depending on my availability. What makes me want to contribute, at least to some extent each year, is knowing that BDPA has built and continues to strengthen a legacy. Even the significant numbers who are no longer members, take what they have gleened from BDPA and use it to contribute to the IT industry in many ways that we often don't even hear about. BDPA's positive impact on African-Americans in the IT field, as well as its impact on global IT in general, is much more far reaching than any statistics that we may gather will reveal.

We should all make a commitment each year, no matter how small, to assure that BDPA's stamp of excellence is perpetuated. Let's sing it together; you know the tune: "I'll be there, I'll be there, just call my name, and I'll be there". And let's sing it every year.

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Howard has a strong legacy within BDPA. I hope that others will follow his lead by sharing their thoughts on this query, 'What is BDPA?'

Tea Country Offers Fundraiser to Support BDPA Philadelphia Chapter

Tea Country is a provider of Gourmet Loose-Leaf Tea. The company, owned by BDPA member Howard James, will direct 20% of your purchase to support BDPA Philadelphia chapter.

All you need to do is use 'BDPA' in the 'company field' where you enter your credit card information for online purchases.

Those of you in the greater Philadelphia area can give the 'BDPA' code when you visit the store in person:

6722 Old York Road
Philadelphia, PA 19126

I encourage all BETF-Blog readers to support this fundraiser. In fact, it would be great if we could identify other fundraising opportunities like this one. Any ideas?