BDPA Acknowledges Bronze Level Sponsorship of McDonald's

McDonald's

IT Giant Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) proudly acknowledge the widely acclaimed 2017 Bronze Level Sponsorship from McDonald’s, a leading global food service retailer who are working hard to make tasty food with a “less is more” philosophy. McDonald’s promote diversity and inclusion and they foster an environment that values the unique values of all. McDonald’s creates opportunity, encourages diversity, offers training, facilitates teamwork and rewards achievement.

McDonald’s is committed to providing inclusive work environments, training and support. Because diversity and inclusion is a fundamental element of its culture, it permeates multiple aspects of the business. McDonald's highlight some specific company initiatives being activated at corporate and market levels to further support its holistic approach to developing its people.

Mike Williams, National BDPA President

Mike Williams, National BDPA President was quoted as saying, "We want to honor the Bronze level sponsorship of McDonald’s. We are again honored to have McDonald's as our sponsor and partner in 2017. McDonald's has been a partner and avid champion of diversity in STEM and within the workplace."

BDPA is the largest African American Information Technology association in the U.S., and the largest national non-profit organization continually involved in training students underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education across the country. BDPA was founded in 1975 by Earl Pace and David Wimberly to close the digital divide for underrepresented minorities in STEM fields.

For more details about the BDPA corporate sponsorship program, contact the corporate sales support team at (301) 584-3135 ext.108 or corpsales@bdpa.org. Additionally, please visit www.bdpa.org.

McDonalds Becomes BDPA Bronze Level Sponsor

McDonald’s agreed to renew its Bronze Level sponsorship of BDPA. The investment supports two BDPA regional conferences, leadership panels and other professional development aspects of the upcoming 37th Annual National BDPA Technology Conference & Career Fair held August 19-22, 2015 in Washington DC. This represents over a decade of BDPA sponsorship for the global food service retailer.

Since 1955, McDonald’s has been proud to serve the world some of its favorite food. And along the way, they have managed not to just live history, but create it: from drive-thru restaurants to Chicken McNuggets and much more. It’s been quite the journey, and they promise this is just the beginning.

Pamela Mathews

“McDonald's has been a trusted partner in providing support and engagement to BDPA,” said National BDPA President Pamela Mathews. “As we approach our national technology conference, we appreciate McDonald’s commitment to our mission and are pleased to continue our partnership. We are honored to have McDonald's by our side as a Bronze Level Sponsor.”

Founded in 1975, BDPA is the premier organization for African American professionals in the information technology industry. BDPA has 46 chapters across the United States and is the largest African American information technology association in the country. BDPA continues to fulfill its mission and work to bridge the digital divide by providing career growth opportunities for its members.

To become a BDPA partner or sponsor like McDonald’s or to learn more about the BDPA Technology Conference in Washington DC, please contact BDPA Corporate Sales Team by email at corpsales@bdpa.org or 301-584-3135 x108.

McDonald's Corporation Grants

The late McDonald's founder Ray Kroc, built his company on a foundation of ethical business conduct and involvement in our local communities. McDonald’s owner/operators and company-operated restaurants fulfill these vital commitments every day in many ways.

McDonald's Corporation Grants support eduction through nonprofit organizations on a national basis, particularly in areas where they operate. Contact your local McDonald's for their funding priorities and how to access them.

Program areas for these grants focus on: Adult literacy, arts, community involvement, volunteerism, disabilities, general education, health, math, reading, science, environment and technology.

These grants are available in all 50 states. Call (630) 623-7048 if you questions about this funding source.

2011 BDPA Technology Conference: Day #1

National BDPA president Yvette Graham banged the gavel down at the end of last night's Opening Ceremonies to declare that the 33rd annual BDPA Technology Conference was officially open. The first day of this national conference was an unqualified success.

There are a growing number of people tweeting about it (search #BDPA). There are a growing number of people checking in on Foursquare ... with BDPA Twin Cities member Justin Wulf currently in power as the Foursquare 'Mayor' of the BDPA Conference!   Facebook mentions of BDPA seem to grow each hour of the day.  I suspect that more and more photos will start to show up on Flickr and more and more videos will appear on YouTube.

There are some remarkable high school and college students at the conference to participate in the Youth Technology Camp, High School Computer Competition and IT Showcase. These are the young people that America is counting on to 'win the future'. We need more recognition, support (financial and volunteers), and love to be shared with these young people. We need Corporate America to reach out to these young IT superstars in the same way that the NBA, NFL and MLB reach out to their young IT superstars. I encourage anyone reading this blog post to use the POST REPLY feature down below to share a comment on a BDPA student that you've met this week at the conference!

The opening ceremony speaker was McDonald's president and chief operating officer Don Thompson. The brother's message was outstanding. Yeah ... the second-in-command for one of the largest companies in the world is a Blackman! He spoke to the students and adult IT professionals in the room with a powerful message on taking control of our own careers by doing the right things with quickness. I wonder if anyone videotaped his speech? If so, I would love to see it.


There were over a dozen workshops on the first day of the conference. I attended the IT Showcase presentation hosted by Dr. Jesse Bemley. Good turnout and outstanding dialogue with each and every member of the workshop audience. I also attended Beyond Blogging workshop hosted by Michael Jenkins-Brown (Raytheon). His focus was on WordPress platform. He convinced me that I need to begin migrating my websites to the WordPress platform. I plan to do so before the end of the month.


There were three chapter awards announced on the first day of the conference. Congratulations to the following chapters:

1. Chicago - Most Outstanding Community Service Award
2. New York - Most Outstanding Chapter Management Award
3. Philadelphia - Most Outstanding Membership Award

This is a 4-day conference. I wonder what will be in store for me for the next 3 days?

BDPA Names Five IT Heavyweights as Honorary Conference Chairs

LaVerne Council

There are some heavy-hitters in the information technology industry who plan to serve in a leadership capacity for the upcoming BDPA Technology Conference.  BDPA announced the following executives as Honorary Conference Chairs:

1. LaVerne Council, Corporate Vice President and CIO, Johnson & Johnson
2. Marc Di Francisco, President and CEO, Premier Event Management
3. Brian Hedberg, Chief Information Officer, Health Care Service Corporation
4.  Trudy McKnight, Executive Director, Small Business Partnership Programs, U.S. Public Sector, HP
5. David Weick, Senior Vice President and Global Chief Information Officer, McDonald's 

The Honorary Chair takes a leadership role in promoting the conference and provides resources to assist with the execution of a successful conference.

"BDPA is excited to recognize this year's honorary chairs for the 2011 National Conference”, said National BDPA President, Yvette Graham.

The conference theme, 'Ignite, Inspire and Empower: The GPS of Future Technologists', is both timely and appropriate given the state of our economy and the number of individuals who are still seeking employment. BDPA remains committed to excellence as it continues to serve as a catalyst for professional growth and technical development.

The 2011 National BDPA Technology Conference to be held in Chicago, IL on August 3-6, at the Hilton Chicago Hotel, provides a total information technology experience for high school and college students, information technology professionals, entrepreneurs, IT senior managers, corporations, academia, government agencies and the research community.

The Honorary Chairs accepted their roles, in part, because of the value-packed slate of offerings given by field experts. These seminars, plenary sessions and workshops exemplify BDPA's commitment to provide state of the art training, professional growth and technical development, entrepreneurial opportunity, technical resource offerings, and access to leading edge technology to its members, corporate supporters, and the community.

This blog plans to be in Chicago for the entire conference. How about you?

McDonald's Corporation Grant Program

The late McDonald's founder Ray Kroc, built his company on a foundation of ethical business conduct and involvement in our local communities. McDonald’s owner/operators and company-operated restaurants fulfill these vital commitments every day in many ways.

McDonald's Corporation Grants support eduction through nonprofit organizations on a national basis, particularly in areaswhere they operate. Contact your local McDonald's for their funding priorities and how to access them.

Program areas for these grants focus on: Adult literacy, arts, community
involvement, volunteerism, disabilities, general education, health, math, reading, science, environment and technology.

These grants are available in all 50 states. Call (630) 623-7048 if you questions about this funding source.