Michael Espey * 2012 Bemley Scholar (University of Wisconsin)

Michael  Espey

BDPA Southern Minnesota students earned 4th place in National BDPA High School Computer Competition (HSCC) championship held in August 2012. The HSCC competition comprises three components: oral testing, written testing and a programming project. Michael Espey was a member of that team. He earned a Dr. Jesse Bemley Scholarship which he used at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. He majored in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science with two concentrations: Software Development and Information Assurance and Cyber Security. Michael had many life goals including getting a job in Rochester, MN. He was successful in his goal as he is now a software engineer at IBM.

We asked Michael to provide his thoughts BDPA and his experiences in the HSCC event:

Hello my name is Michael Espey and I (attended) the University of Wisconsin-Stout majoring in Applied Math and Computer Science. Within my major I am concentrating in software development as well as information assurance and cyber security. BDPA has been a part of my life since my senior year in high school and has helped me so much giving me lifelong skills that have contributed to my successes and future opportunities.

When my brother in law, William Smith came to me suggesting that I join BDPA, I was a bit hesitant. I wasn't much of an outgoing person to try new things, but I went anyway since IT had interested me. On the first day of class I found myself sitting in a room of complete strangers, but I felt welcome and happy to be there. Once I met the instructors and the people there, I knew that i was in a good place to learn about web design and programming. I had taken a web programming class a year before in high school, so I was curious what new things I would learn in BDPA. The first couple weeks were things that I already knew - HTML and CSS. After a few weeks passed I was learning something new every week including PHP, MySQL, and JavaScript just to name a few. Getting up every Saturday to be to class by 9 am was sometimes challenging, but every week I went to class and found myself happy with that decision every time. Before i knew it, I was excited for Saturdays to come so I could be with my great instructors, peers, and new challenges. I had always been interested in computers and programming, but after I had joined BDPA is when i knew I would want to do this for my life career. BDPA has opened so many doors in my life including meeting potential employers and people interested in IT just like me!

When it came time to announce the team that would represent Southern Minnesota in the 2012 HSCC, I was eager to hear if my name made the list. I had worked very had throughout the school year, and after hearing my name as a member of the team, I was so excited! When we arrived in Baltimore, we were among big cities such as Los Angeles and the Twin Cities chapters. I knew it was not going to be an easy competition, but we had a great team and had prepared for so long. The HSCC had 3 different tasks for the competition including a team questioning, individual questioning, and team programming. My most memorable part of the HSCC was the day of the programming part of the competition. I remember being really nervous yet excited for a 7 hour task that we had been preparing for all summer long at our boot camp meetings. The thing that I can remember the most is sitting down with my team members, developing a totally functional website in only 7 hours. We worked together so well and got along great!

2012 HSCC Team (BDPA Southern Minnesota)

Even though our team only got 4th place that year, I have gotten so much more from BDPA. BDPA has helped me become more social with others, meet lots of new people that I will communicate with for the rest of my life, develop skills that I can use for the future including time management, teamwork, working hard to achieve my goals, and preparing me for college. My plans for the future are to receive my bachelors degree in 2016, help my BDPA chapter as much as I can, and get a job that I will enjoy for the rest of my life. I couldn’t have had such a great start to college and programming if it weren’t for BDPA guiding me along the way.

Thank You BDPA!

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation is very proud of Michael's involvement with BDPA.  I encourage everyone who support BDPA to make a donation to the Bemley Scholarship Fund.  You can contact Michael on Twitter: @StoutGradMike16.

Legend in Technology: Rodney Adkins (IBM)

Rod Adkins will retire from IBM at the end of 2014 after more than 33 years of service for the company. During this transition, he will continue to focus on several strategic corporate projects and client relationships. Mr. Adkins had been senior vice president of Corporate Strategy since 2013, and previously was senior vice president of Systems and Technology Group, a position he held since 2009.

Inducted into the National Academy of Engineering in 2005, Mr. Adkins is also a member of the Executive Leadership Council, and the National Society of Black Engineers, which in 2001 awarded him the Golden Torch Award for Lifetime Achievement in Industry.

"43% of school-age children today are of African American, Latino, or Native American descent. Yet of all the engineering bachelor's degrees in the U.S., less than 15% are awarded to underrepresented minorities. We need to reconcile these opposing trends so that the composition of our STEM education pipeline reflects America's shifting demographics. National nonprofit organizations, like the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering, also play an important role, by supplying Congress with research and policy analysis, in addition to providing scholarships directly to students."

Grant Award: IBM ($3,000)

Paulette Johnson-Davis

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) is very grateful to IBM for its recent grant award of $3,000 that recognizes the volunteer work done by IBM retiree Paulette Johnson-Davis. Paulette is a long-time BDPA leader who currently serves as the vice president of business management for the BDPA Greater Columbia chapter. She submitted an IBM Community Grant request for funding in mid-July. We learned today that the request had been approved!

The grant approval letter read, in part:

---

Dear Mr. Wayne Hicks,

On behalf of International Business Machines Corporation, I am pleased to tell you that a cash grant of $3,000.00 has been approved to support BDPA Education and Technology Foundation's IT Training Support program. This grant has been awarded in recognition of the volunteer service of Paulette Johnson-Davis. IBM's Community Service grants are based on requests from employees or retirees who have a record of active and ongoing involvement with not-for-profit organizations and schools.

We are pleased to support BDPA Education and Technology Foundation and extend our best wishes for continued success of your programs.

Sincerely,
Wanda Guy
CCCA Program Administrator
International Business Machines Corporation

---

Paulette's volunteer efforts have been in support of the Student Information Technology Education & Technology (SITES) program implemented by BDPA Greater Columbia chapter. The funds from this volunteer grant will be restricted for the benefit of her chapter.

The process is a simple one ... our hope is that other BDPA chapters will work with BETF to increase the flow of grant income over the coming weeks and months.

IBM Community Grants

Do you have any IBM employees working with your Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program? If so, you/your chapter may be eligible for an IBM Community Grant. Imagine what thousands of IBM employees can accomplish worldwide when they're given the tools to be effective volunteers, and they can access them online—anytime, anywhere. That's IBM On Demand Community.

Now imagine how much more valuable the volunteers can be to schools and other organizations, like BDPA, when they also have access to IBM equipment grants, reduced prices for selected hardware and software, and cash awards for the organizations where they donate their time.

This extraordinary combination of IBM employee expertise and innovative technology distinguishes IBM On Demand Community from all other corporate philanthropy initiatives.

"This is a powerful combination that stands to make an unprecedented impact on schools and community organizations worldwide," said Stanley S. Litow, vice president of IBM Corporate Community Relations. "We've dramatically increased the range of IBM equipment available to agencies where our employees volunteer, with even more incentives for those who use our on demand tools in their volunteer work."

IBM volunteers must be working with an eligible community service organization for an average of eight hours per month for five consecutive months to be eligible for either a cash or equipment grant.

"Our new Community Grants program strengthens IBM On Demand Community by leveraging the full strength of IBM innovation and technology," Litow continued. "We fully expect that the volunteer efforts of our employees, combined with IBM Community Grants, has the potential to make a lasting impact on organizations that provide some of society's most important services."

Any IBM employees reading this post?

Grant Award: IBM ($1,000)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) received a $1,000 check as a result of the IBM Community Grant program. Our efforts to secure this funding was made possible by BDPA Chicago chapter member Curtis Cade.

BETF submitted a letter of inquiry to the IBM community affairs leadership in Chicago under the company's IBM Community Grant program.   We would love to work with other IBM employees to seek funding from the IBM Community Grant program in support of their local BDPA chapter.

Asante sana Curtis!   Who's next?

Letter of Inquiry: IBM Community Gives (BDPA Chicago)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) and BDPA Chicago chapter member Curtis Cade partnered an effort to obtain funding to support the chapter's programs. BETF submitted a letter of inquiry to the IBM community affairs leadership in Chicago under the company's IBM Community Gives program.

We anticipate that we'll have an answer for our Chicago-based funding request in the very near future. However, you don't have to wait. If you believe in what BETF or BDPA Chicago chapter are doing then you are encouraged to make a secure online donation right away!

IBM Announces Smarter Cities Challenge Grant Recipients

IBM has selected twenty-four cities to receive inaugural Smarter Cities Challenge grants. The grants will provide each city with IBM technology and services valued at $400,000.

Over the next three years, the Smarter Cities Challenge initiative will award a total of $50 million to one hundred cities around the world. Officials of the winning city will receive recommendations designed to support successful growth, better and more efficient delivery of municipal services, and increased citizen engagement. Issues to be examined include health care, education, safety, transportation, communications, sustainability, budget management, energy, and utilities. Applicants in this funding round proposed a wide range of projects, though a consistent theme was the desire to collect, share, analyze, and act on data such as school test scores, crime statistics, foot and vehicle traffic counts, library usage, and tax revenues.

To address that need, IBM experts will help familiarize recipients with its City Forward Web site, which uses urban statistics to rate cities' comparative performance across a range of categories. According to a 2008 United Nations report, more than half the world's population is now living in cities, making the need for effective urban management greater than ever.

"We selected these cities because of their commitment to the use of data to make better decisions, and for their desire to explore and act on smarter solutions to their most pressing concerns," said Stanley S. Litow, vice president of corporate citizenship and corporate affairs at IBM. "The cities we picked are eager to implement programs that tangibly improve the quality of life in their areas, and to create road maps for other cities to follow. The stakes have never been greater, but we're excited at the prospect of helping cities tackle the most pressing challenges of our time."

For a complete list of Smarter Cities Challenge grant recipients, visit the IBM Web site.

Any thoughts on how BDPA can get engaged with IBM on this Smarter Cities Challenge?

IBM Foundation

IBM Foundation allocates resources to specific projects and programs that fit within their targeted areas of interest. The overwhelming majority of grants are initiated by IBM, do not stem from unsolicited proposals, and involve multi-year commitments. Subsequent grants will grow out of these efforts after the current grants have run their course.

While not encouraged, unsolicited proposals are reviewed on an ongoing basis. If your organization chooses to submit an unsolicited proposal, please note the following guidelines and address the requirements outlined below.

Guidelines

IBM only considers requests submitted by organizations which have a tax-exempt classification under Sections 170(c) or 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Priority is assigned to requests involving IBM technology or the volunteer efforts of our employees. In making a grant decision, they also consider what other types of IBM support (Matching Grants, Fund for Community Service, United Way) an organization may already be receiving.

Application Process

Nonprofit organizations or educational institutions wishing to submit unsolicited proposals to IBM should make an initial inquiry in the form of a two-page letter. In the event that the proposal is of interest to IBM, additional information will be requested. Videotapes and other supplemental materials are strongly discouraged at this initial stage. The letter should include the following information:

1. Brief statement fully describing the mission of the organization, the amount of money requested, and the purpose of the contribution;
2. Description of the problem you wish to address, the solution you propose, and how IBM technology, and IBM volunteers, if appropriate, will be incorporated;
3. Proposed project budget with all other anticipated sources of income;
4. Plans to measure and evaluate program results;
5. Name, address and telephone number of the project contact person.

Applications should be directed to the local Corporate Citizenship manager.

It appears that we have co-located BDPA chapters in: Atlanta, Austin, Baton Rouge, Bay Area, Boston, Central Illinois, Charlotte, Chattanooga, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Dayton, Detroit, Gr. Birmingham, Gr. Columbia, Gr. Tampa Bay, Hampton Roads, Hartford, Houston, Indianapolis, Lexington, Los Angeles, Memphis, Middle Tennessee, Milwaukee, New Jersey, New York, No. Delaware, No. Virginia, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Rhode Island, Richmond, Seattle, So. Florida, St. Louis, Triangle and Washington DC.

All other proposals should be sent to:


Vice President
Corporate Citizenship & Corporate Affairs
IBM Corporation
New Orchard Road
Armonk, New York 10504


Does your chapter have any IBM employees in it? If so, this might be a funding source worth exploring. What say u?

Grant Award: IBM Community Grant ($1,000)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) received a $1,000 check as a result of the IBM Community Grant program. Our efforts to secure this funding was made possible by BDPA Chicago chapter member Curtis Cade.

BETF submitted a letter of inquiry to the IBM community affairs leadership in Chicago under the company's IBM Community Grant program.   We would love to work with other IBM employees to seek funding from the IBM Community Grant program in support of their local BDPA chapter.

Asante sana Curtis!   Who's next?

Letter of Inquiry * IBM Corporate Contribution

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) and BDPA Chicago chapter member Curtis Cade partnered an effort to obtain funding to support the chapter's annual education banquet. BETF submitted a letter of inquiry to the IBM community affairs leadership in Chicago under the company's IBM Community Grant program.

IBM volunteers must be working with an eligible community service organization for an average of eight hours per month for five consecutive months to be eligible for either a cash or equipment grant.

"Our new Community Grants program strengthens IBM On Demand Community by leveraging the full strength of IBM innovation and technology," said Stanley S. Litow, vice president of IBM Corporate Citizenship & Corporate Affairs. "We fully expect that the volunteer efforts of our employees, combined with IBM Community Grants, has the potential to make a lasting impact on organizations that provide some of society's most important services."

We anticipate that we'll have an answer for our Chicago-based funding request in the very near future. However, you don't have to wait. If you believe in what BETF or BDPA Chicago chapter are doing then you are encouraged to make a secure online donation right away!

Letter of Inquiry * IBM (Eastern Region)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) and BDPA Baton Rouge sent a 2-page letter of inquiry to the IBM corporate citizenship manager in their Eastern Region. Our submission was in accordance with IBM guidelines.

IBM has been a leader in corporate social responsibility for nearly 100 years, contributing technology, talent and cash to nonprofit organizations and educational institutions around the world. Their activities are designed to help people to become smarter, and to develop future leaders capable of improving the quality of life for themselves and their communities — making for a smarter planet.

We are hopeful that IBM will smile favorably on our inquiry. Do we have any BDPA supporters working at IBM?

Letter of Inquiry * IBM Community Grant

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) and BDPA Chicago chapter member Curtis Cade partnered an effort to obtain funding to support the chapter's annual education banquet. BETF submitted a letter of inquiry to the IBM community affairs leadership in Chicago under the company's IBM Community Grant program.

IBM volunteers must be working with an eligible community service organization for an average of eight hours per month for five consecutive months to be eligible for either a cash or equipment grant.

"Our new Community Grants program strengthens IBM On Demand Community by leveraging the full strength of IBM innovation and technology," said Stanley S. Litow, vice president of IBM Corporate Citizenship & Corporate Affairs. "We fully expect that the volunteer efforts of our employees, combined with IBM Community Grants, has the potential to make a lasting impact on organizations that provide some of society's most important services."

We anticipate that we'll have an answer for our Chicago-based funding request in the very near future. However, you don't have to wait. If you believe in what BETF or BDPA Chicago chapter are doing then you are encouraged to make a secure online donation right away!

Grant Award: IBM ($1,000)

We are very pleased to report that IBM sent BETF a $1,000 corporate community cash grant on behalf of Paulette Johnson-Davis for her hours of volunteer service.

The grant will be placed in the restricted Greater Columbia chapter fund to be used for their high school technology training program.

The IBM Corporate Community Cash Grant is a remarkable funding opportunity for any BDPA chapter with IBM employees or retirees in its membership.

Does your chapter have any IBMers in it?

Grant Proposal: IBM Community Grant Program

Paulette Johnson-Davis is 2-time president of BDPA Greater Columbia chapter. She is also an IBM retiree. IBM retirees that volunteer with BDPA for an average of eight hours per month for five consecutive months are eligible for either a cash or equipment grant as part of the IBM Community Grant program.

Paulette submitted a request through the IBM Community Grant program asking for $1,000 to support the 2009 Student IT Education & Scholarship program in the Columbia SC area.

I hope that other IBM employees and retirees will look into the IBM Community Grant program. We would love to leverage the full strength of IBM innovation and technology. The volunteer efforts of IBM employees, combined with IBM Community Grants, has the potential to make a lasting impact on organizations, like BDPA, that provide some of society's most important services.

Asante sana for Paulette Johnson-Davis for her continued leadership and support of BDPA!

Intrapreneurship in Corporate America (Chicago)

BDPA Chicago chapter is the largest chapter in the nation. One reason for the chapter's success is consistent and appealing program meetings. The meeting this month is no exception.

IBM Tivoli software provides intelligent infrastructure management solutions that help customers understand and proactively manage the business value of their IT systems in an on demand world. Tivoli software provides integrated views for managing and optimizing critical IT systems with policy-based resource allocation, security, storage and systems management solutions.

Lee Hall, co-founder of Tivoli, will the guest speaker. He will give insights on the software as well as insights on what it takes to be an 'intrapreneur' in Corporate America. Mr. Hall presently holds the position of Tivoli Americas Business Automation Sales Leader for IBM. With over twenty years of experience in technology sales, he has generated multi-millions of revenue for each of the companies with which he has been associated. Additionally, his accomplishments include management in strategic team environments and individual and group consulting to improve organizational systems.


Date: February 15, 2008
Time: 6:30 pm

Location:IBM
71 S. Wacker Drive, 6th Floor
Chicago, IL 60606

Contact BDPA Chicago chapter on (312) 575-8503 if you have questions or wish to discuss further. Have you used Tivoli software in the past? Are you an 'intrapreneur'? Are you a current or former member of BDPA Chicago chapter?

BETF & Greater Columbia Chapter Receive $1,000 Volunteer Grant

BDPA Education & Technology Foundation, in conjunction with Greater Columbia chapter, is proud to announce receipt of $1,000 grant from IBM Volunteer Grant program. This funding will be used to support the youth education program for Greater Columbia chapter in 2008.

The volunteer earning this $1,000 grant is Paulette Johnson-Davis. Kudos to Paulette, BDPA Greater Columbia chapter president, for leading the effort to get this funding!

Does your company have a volunteer grant program?

IBM Researchers Look to Africa

We have shared the 411 with BETF-Blog Readers about Mark Dean in the past. Also, IBM is a consistent BDPA sponsor and BETF donor. So we thought that this recent article would be of interest to you:

"We believe that Africa is that next emerging opportunity," said Mark Dean, head of IBM'S Almaden Research Center in Silicon Valley. "We need to be familiar with different cultures and languages and operations in the African countries. What we want is the African people and African businesses to look at IBM as a trusted provider."

When technology companies talk up the potential of the developing world, they usually mean places that already are hotbeds like China or India. IBM Corp. is placing bets on African countries where it has launched a mentoring program for college students.

The project, called Makocha Minds, using the Swahili word for "teachers," puts 250 of IBM's top researchers in regular contact with engineering, math and computing students at universities in 10 sub-Saharan countries: Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, South Africa, Kenya, Senegal, Botswana, Tanzania, Ghana and Nigeria.

The participants chat mainly by e-mail or phone, but in-person meetings could happen eventually.

The students usually want general guidance on becoming successful or pursuing advanced degrees, rather than help with their homework, said Mark Dean, head of IBM'S Almaden Research Center in Silicon Valley and leader of the project.

Dean said the project lays groundwork for IBM to do business in Africa, where potentially groundbreaking research is being pursued on diverse topics like plant genomics and nuclear power.

"We believe that Africa is that next emerging opportunity," he said. "We need to be familiar with different cultures and languages and operations in the African countries. What we want is the African people and African businesses to look at IBM as a trusted provider."

Other technology companies have tried strengthening their interactions in Africa, including Google Inc., whose foundation has backed business-plan competitions in Ghana and Tanzania. However, experts in international technology development said IBM's mentoring program appears unique.

Well, BETF-Blog Readers, what say u?

IBM World Wide Ph.D. Fellowship Program

IBM is pleased to announce the Ph.D. Fellowship Program for the 2008-2009 academic year. IBM is a Silver-level corporate sponsor of BDPA. The company has received many outstanding and exceptional candidates from universities all over the world in the past. I would love to see one of our BETF-Blog readers participate in the process this year.

IBM Ph.D. Fellowship nominations may be made by faculty members from September 17 to October 26, 2007. The IBM Ph.D. Fellowship Program honors exceptional Ph.D. students in an array of focus areas of interest to IBM and fundamental to innovation. The IBM Ph.D. Fellowship Program also supports our long-standing commitment to workforce diversity. IBM values diversity in the workplace and encourages nominations of women, minorities and all who contribute to that diversity.

Are there any current or former IBMers out here that can share an insider perspective on this program (specific) or the company (general) with us?

Mark Dean: Computer Inventor

As a child, Mark Dean excelled in math. In elementary school, he took advanced level math courses and, in high school, Dean even built his own computer, radio, and amplifier. Dean continued his interests and went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Tennessee, a masters degree in electrical engineering from Florida Atlantic University and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Stanford. He is one of the most prominent Black inventors in the field of computers.

Currently, Dean is an IBM Fellow and vice president of the IBM Almaden Research Center in San Jose, California. He oversees more than 400 scientists and engineers doing exploratory and applied research in various hardware, software and services areas, including nanotechnology, materials science, storage systems, data management, Web technologies, workplace practices and user interfaces. An engineer by training, Dean has more than 25 years experience in the IT industry -- all with IBM -- where he has been central to the design of a wide range of IBM computers.

Click here for full bio of this remarkable BDPA hero! Who are your BDPA heroes?

IBM is Best Company for Blacks in Technology

National BDPA and WorkplaceDiversity.com, the source for diversity talent, announced IBM Corporation as the winner of the prestigious Epsilon Award as the Top Company for Blacks in Technology.

"On behalf of the IBM Corporation, I’d like to thank BDPA and WorkplaceDiversity.com for the prestigious honor of being named the 2007 Epsilon Award winner as the Best Company for Blacks in Technology," said Elmer Corbin, Director of Systems Development, IBM Systems & Technology Group. "Our strategy of inclusion is a fundamental success factor for our continued Innovation leadership in the 21st century. I’m looking forward to further strengthening our partnership with BDPA."

The award was presented at the 2007 National BDPA Technology Conference held August 15-18 at the Wardman Park Marriott Hotel in Washington, DC. The Epsilon Award is presented annually to the top company in the nation that promotes a workplace and environment that support the advancement of Blacks in the information technology industry.

WorkplaceDiversity.com is a job search web site for corporate recruiters who want to make a good faith effort to reach experienced diversity talent. The site bridges the gap between companies that support diversity and experienced diversity candidates by providing one central location to post open positions.

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 IBM has made for Blacks in Technology," said National BDPA President, Gina Billings. "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. 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," said Dan Honig, chief operating officer of WorkPlaceDiversity.com. Honig added, "We are very pleased to recognize IBM as a company that is truly practicing workplace diversity in their IT departments."

BDPA corporate sponsors and supporters were asked to complete a comprehensive survey that rated 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.

Will Bundy, National BDPA Outside Director, said, "Responses were not unexpected. Some companies are making significant progress while others are not quite doing what it takes to meet minimum standards." Added Bundy, "Our BDPA survey questions are the right ones to cause reflection on whether programs value Diversity and build opportunities at work. Our winners have demonstrated a commitment to people and an understanding that Diversity has a bottom line business case value."