2015 Blacks Gone Geek IT Job Outlook

Did you know that the current employment in the IT sector can be best described as a tale of two markets? In general there is high demand for professionals with specialized skills and then there is the rest of the market with unemployment still in the pre-recession double digits. The trend tells a story of a market in sharp demand for Knowledge workers but a dismal performance for those continuing to seek employment in low skill jobs.

The only way to get ahead and stay ahead in this challenging job market is to constantly distinguish yourself from the competition by demonstrating great performance and maintaining highly marketable skills.

But what are the highly marketable skills for IT professionals today? Every year National BDPA past president Milt Haynes conducts a Blacks Gone Geek Readers Poll to tap into the "Wisdom of the Crowd" because we want you to know what's happening in the "real world".

Please take this short 5-minute survey. Your valuable input will provide insight into where IT jobs are growing and highlight the current and future trends in the industry. Please take action today!

Survey results will be published on Blacks Gone Geek website (www.blacksgonegeek.org) in December.

Click here to take survey - https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2015ITJobOutlook

BDPA Birthday Love for Milt Haynes

Please join us in wishing Milt Haynes a joyous natal day! Milt served on the national BDPA board of directors for over a decade as BDPA Chicago chapter president, national president-elect, national president and immediate past president. He is currently the National BDPA chief information officer.

Milt is a husband, father, grandfather, brother and son. He is also one of the hardest working brothers in BDPA. I think it is fair to say that Milt has raised more funds for BDPA through corporate sales than anyone in the universe.

I appreciate Milt because he served as my BDPA mentor from 1999-2001 when I served as president of the BDPA Cincinnati chapter. We rejuvenated the chapter from oblivion to the second largest chapter in the nation ... and much of the success is due to Milt's willingness to share best-practice information from BDPA Chicago chapter.

Milt will be a member of the BDPA Hall of Fame at some point. For now, we honor him here in cyberspace.

Please share your memories of Milt and wish him a happy birthday!

BDPA Member on the Move: Milt Haynes (Sears Holdings)

Milt Haynes

Milt Haynes is a former national BDPA president who graduated with President Barack Obama from Columbia University. Now he's a knowledge manager at Sears, and runs a global group for Blacks in technology. Haynes is a knowledge manager at Sears Holdings Corporation (Hoffman Estates, IL), where he ensures that IT knowledge, intellectual capital and experience are shared throughout the organization.

"My interest in computers started when I was a kid in Chicago, with Star Trek," he says. "Mr Spock always seemed to have a logical solution to any problem. That made me think that if I had a computer, I could do that too."

Read the rest of the Diversity/Careers magazine article.

VIDEO: Showing Students How to Leverage Blacks Gone Geek Website

This short video shows high school and college students how to navigate the Blacks Gone Geek website to find information on careers in technology, student internships, STEM programs, and much, much more.



Milt Haynes is the founder of Blacks Gone Geek. He is also a past national BDPA president with a powerful legacy in the BDPA community. We encourage all BDPA supporters to learn more about Milt's Blacks Gone Geek initiative.

Where Are They Now? BDPA Chicago Chapter Presidents

BDPA Chicago became the 14th chapter in the nation when it began on March 15, 1986. The chapter had eight founding members (Marvin Walker, President; Hazel Beason, Vice President; Anthony Pittman, Treasurer; Michelle Walker, Recording Secretary; Wallace Neal, Education Chairperson; Roy Peeples, Public Relations Chairperson; Greg Walker, Finance Chairperson; and Fidelis Umeh, Member)

The chapter has a potent legacy in BDPA history that includes 'BDPA Chapter of the Year' honors in 1991-1993, 2000 and 2005. I used BDPA Chicago chapter as my role model when I served as BDPA Cincinnati chapter president in 1999-2001. It amazes me that BDPA Chicago maintained its spot as the chapter with the largest membership for over a decade. The ability of this chapter to recruit and retain members over the years is simply remarkable.

The chapter hosted national BDPA technology conferences in 1988 ('Growth and Success by Design')and 2001 ('Empowering the Nation Through Information').

BDPA Chicago students won national high school computer competition (HSCC) two times (1994 and 2006). The students from these three championship years are: Joseph Huggins (2006), Nickesha King (1994), Demmie Quinones (1994), Lee Reed (2006), Andreaus Robinson (2006), Joey Rojas (2004), Maurice Shelton (2006) and Walter Webster (2004).

I hope that these HSCC alumni are still connected to BDPA. We want HSCC testimonials from each of these young people if they can be located.

Five of the past BDPA Chicago chapter presidents (Ollie Morgan, Milt Haynes, Ricky Penick, Reggie Gardner and Yvette Graham) also served as members of the National BDPA Executive Committee. It would be great if we could hear from each of the past BDPA Chicago chapter presidents:

• Marvin Walker (1986-1988)
  
• Ollie Morgan (1989-1993)
  
• Sheila McCaskill (1994-1995)
  
• Jack Edwards (1996-1997)
  
• Milt Haynes (1998-1999)
  
• Ricky Penick (2000-2003)
  
• Reggie Gardner (2004-2005)
  
• Yvette Graham (2006-2007)
  
• Rhonda Boyd (2008-2009)
• Pamela Sexton (2010-2013)

Where are they now?

Careers in Technology (BDPA Chicago)

 

 

Come on out to our October Program Meeting!

 

 

Submit your nominations for the

 

BDPA Chicago Chapter 2012-2013 Administration

 

Attend a workshop regarding

 

Careers in Technology and much, much more

 

Presenter: Milt Haynes National BDPA CIO & Founder of Blacks Gone Geek

 

What does it take to build a successful career in the IT Industry?

 

This workshop addresses the key skills that are needed and how to obtain them. This seminar also shows how to tap into talent communities using social networking tools and techniques to find lucrative and rewarding career opportunities. This is a must attend workshop for anyone interested in pursuing a long-term career in IT.

 

Milt has been a BDPA member for over 20 years and has served as BDPA Chicago Chapter President and National BDPA President. Milt currently serves as the CIO for National BDPA. As CIO, Milt is responsible for the technology infrastructure and for linking technology to internal strategy. Milt has received over 25 awards and honors at the local chapter and National level including the most prestigious National BDPA Outstanding Chapter President Award, Outstanding Contributor Award, Member of the Year Award, President's Award, Service Award and the Spirit Award.

Click here for more info:

http://blacksgonegeek.org/2011BDPAChicagoProgramMeeting.aspx

 

October 21, 2011

 

Hyatt Center

71 S. Wacker Drive, 6th Floor

Chicago, IL 60606

6:30pm

 

Back to Basics with Focus!

 

Visit the chapter's website:  www.bdpa-chicago.org

BDPA iRadio Show - August 9, 2011

The BDPA iRadio Show creates a vibrant communications platform that speaks to all BDPA stakeholders. Here is the archived audio-clip of the show originally broadcast on August 9, 2011.

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Listen to internet radio with BDPA on Blog Talk Radio

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1. Milt Haynes, Chief Information Officer, National BDPA - Milt has been with BDPA for over 20 years. In the past, he was elected to leadership roles as BDPA Chicago Chapter President and National BDPA President. Milt currently serves as the CIO for National BDPA. As CIO, Milt is responsible for the technology infrastructure and for linking technology to internal strategy. Milt has received over 25 awards and honors at the local chapter and National level including the most prestigious National BDPA Outstanding Chapter President Award, Outstanding Contributor Award, Member of the Year Award, President’s Award, Service Award and the Spirit Award.
2. Deborah Chambers, Consultant, UBS - Deborah has over thirty years of experience as a human capital developer. She spent 23 years serving as a corporate trainer and team leader both internationally and domestically. For the last seven years she has been a successful business owner. Her goal is to help leaders improve their collaborative style when leading others in order to achieve the level of influential leadership that is so needed in today's challenging workplace. She is a published author with book called, Choose To Lead. She is a powerful advocate for the Executive Protégé Program within ITSMF / BDPA. She gave a workshop presentation last week at the 2011 National BDPA Technology Conference on topic of '21st Century Leadership Skills for Technologists.'
3. Zack Garbow, HSCC Instructor, BDPA Southern Minnesota - BDPA Southern Minnesota is the 5-time defending national HSCC champion. In fact, they have won the national HSCC championship in 6 of the past 7 years. One common denominator for those victories is HSCC instructor Zack Garbow. Zack is on a mission to take the lessons learned from his time with BDPA Southern Minnesota’s HSCC program and share them on a national basis. In fact, Zack would like to see the HSCC program evolve to the next level in 2012 and beyond.
4. Hayward West, Chapter President, BDPA Philadelphia - Hayward is completing 2nd year as BDPA Philadelphia chapter president. His chapter hosted the national conference in 2010. His chapter earned 'Chapter of the Year' honors from 2007-2010 ... reflecting sustained excellence in terms of community service, professional development, membership growth and financial management. He should have some outstanding ‘best practices’ to share from his local chapter. [YouTube]

Our host for this show is Franne McNeal. The technical advisor is John Malonson. The show is sponsored by the BDPA Education and Technology Foundation.

We invite you to listen to archive recording of our shows:

• June 14 - Julius Clark, Clifford Clarke, Wayne Hicks and John Malonson
• June 28 - Renetta English
• July 12 - Marybeth Gasman, Pablo More, Earl Pace and Wesley Williams
• July 26 - Monique Berry, Goldie Bonney, Michael Robinson and Cedric Sanders
  

The BDPA Insider - December 26, 2010

 

What better way to start the day than with your weekly message from BDPA!

Happy Holidays!!!

In this issue:

Yvette Graham (#9)

1. 10 Things You Might Be Doing That Could Hurt Your Career
2. A Whole Bunch of Job Seeker Checklists
3. BDPA Los Angeles: Remembering 2010
   
4. BETF Executive Director Wins BAM Award for Excellence in Education and Technology in North Carolina
5. Bridging the Technology Gap Locally. WJBC, Javelin Lawrence
6. Good News Tuesday: James Peterson III - Future Face of Technology
7. HSCC Testimonial: Nana Yaa Kwansa (Southern Minnesota, 2007-2010)
8. Hot IT Skills for 2011 - Part 2
9. Message from National BDPA President
10. Message from Charlotte Chapter President-Elect
11. National Business Plan Competition at Morehouse College

This weekly list is pulled together by past national BDPA president Milt Haynes. Let us know if this information is helpful to you as a BDPA supporter. If not, what would you like to see included in future weekly missives?

The BDPA Insider - December 12, 2010

  

The BDPA Insider – December 12, 2010
 
What better way to start the day than with your weekly message from BDPA!
 
In this issue:

1. 11 Hot Skills for 2011
2. BDPA IT Institute Offers PMP Exam Prep Course thru Auburn University
3. Feedback: Parent of HSCC Alumni Tyrone Hinderson (Los Angeles, 2007-2010) 
4. So You Lost Your Job What Do You Do Now?
5. Tech Tip: Using iPad
6. Understand the Mind of the Interviewer
7. Unemployment Rate Remains High‏
8. Why BDPA Students Should Consider the US Air Force Academy

If you believe in what BDPA is trying to accomplish ... you can help us by supporting our scholarship fund!

The BDPA Insider - December 5, 2010

What better way to start the day than with your weekly message from BDPA!

In this issue: 

1. 5 Steps to a Remarkable Personal Brand Strategy
2. Advance your Career with a College Degree or Certificate 
3. A message to all members of Connectors Club
   
4. BDPA Students: HTML 1, Learn the Basics (Zack Garbow) 
5. BDPAToday (Dec 2, 2010)
6. BDPAtoday (Washington DC)
7. Gartner's Top 10 Technologies for 2011
8. IT Job Seeker Survey Results - Analysis Report Now Available  
9. Jonecia Keels and Jazmine Miller (Spelman College): Future Face of Technology 
10. Secrets to Being More Strategic
11. Slideshare, History: (BDPA New York) 
12. Three BDPA Students Showcase Entrepreneurial Talents with 3D Virtual Integration  of Facebook Called StartLounge 
13. Wintino Jones Memorial Award for Outstanding Member of the Year

It would be great to hear from you about this week's BDPA Insider.  Which of these articles or blog posts did you enjoy the most?   What issues or topics would you like to see covered in future weeks?

The BDPA Insider - November 28, 2010

 

The BDPA Insider – November 28, 2010

What better way to start the day than with your weekly message from BDPA!

In this issue:

1. Bemley Scholar Caroline Tremain Heads to University of Minnesota 
2. BETF Executive Director Wayne Hicks Voted One of the Top 50 Amazing Tech Tastemaker
3. Happy Birthday: George Williams, Past National BDPA President
4. HSCC Testimonial: Matthew Clark (Detroit, 2008-2010) 
5. The Power of 'Thank You' 
6. Winter 2011 enrollment period is open for the BDPA IT Institute
7. Zymic Webmaster Resources, 11/11/2010 (Nicholas Reid) 

Much love to National BDPA past president Milt Haynes for pulling this information together every week.  

Kudos to the following websites for providing the articles used in this week's BDPA Insider: BDPA Detroit Technology Automation Committee blog, BDPA Foundation blog, BDPA-In-The-News blog, BDPA Your Membership and Blacks Gone Geek.

The BDPA Insider - November 21, 2010

 
The BDPA Insider – November 21, 2010

What better way to start the day than with your weekly message from BDPA!

In this issue:

1. 2011 BDPA Chicago Awards Banquet Video
2. BDPA Chapters on Twitter 
3. BDPA Charlotte Chapter Supports eMentor Program at Garinger New Technology High School
4. BETF Scholarship Winners (2009-2010) 
5. Buy a Book Once. Read It Everywhere 
6. Can BDPA Expand SITES Program to Elementary School Students With Tech Corps?
7. Computer Science Education Week
8. eWeek.com: IT Management: Non-Certified Technology Skills: the Top 25 Right Now 
9. ITSMF: Executive Protege Program
10. Mastering the technology of the Mind
11. Not Just For Kids: Facebook For Grown Folks
12. Summer Program for High School Students: Science and Engineering Apprenticeship with US Navy 
13. Why Have You Been Out of Work So Long?

Much love to National BDPA past president Milt Haynes for pulling this information together every week.  

Kudos to the following websites for providing the articles used in this week's BDPA Insider: BDPA Foundation, Blacks Gone Geek, CSEdWeek, eWeek, SlideShare.net, The Ladders, Where Are The Blacks in Technology and YouTube.

The BDPA Insider - November 7, 2010

Former National BDPA president Milt Haynes issued The BDPA Insider for the week beginning November 7, 2010.

In this issue:

1. BDPAtoday  [USA Edition]
2. Black Faces in White Places by Randal Pinkett and Jeffrey Robinson
3. IT Job Seeker Accountability Groups
4. Microsoft Charlotte Campus Kicks Off Citizen Schools Computer Apprenticeship Program
5. Bing does THIS & Google does THAT…
6. Can BDPA IT Showcase Winners Join White House Science Fair Next Year?
7. This Week in BDPA (Oct 31 – Nov 7)
8. Rochester Post-Bulletin, 11/1/2010 (Charlie Perkins)
9. Are your skills ready for the opportunities in networking?
10. Tech Corps Ohio
11. Newman Networks News November 4th, 2010
12. How to Network: 7 Ways to Give, Not Just Receive
13. Become a BDPA Lifetime Member and Be Part of the Founder’s Club
14. Top 50+ Novels for Tech Geeks
15. BDPA Today [Chapter Edition]
16. Unemployed find old jobs now require more skills

 You can locate past issues of The BDPA Insider in the archives housed by Blacks Gone Geek.

Top 10 BDPA Twitter Users

Twitter is a microblogging service is gaining popularity as a real-time communication platform. There are at least a dozen local BDPA chapters with Twitter accounts.

However, Twitter is driven by individuals. As such, I thought it would be interesting to share with you our pick of the top 10 BDPA-nation Twitter users (in alpha order) that you should be following:

1. Billy Cunningham - Billy Cunningham is one of the unsung heroes of BDPA Chicago chapter. He is at every national conference and is very supportive of BDPA on a local level.  Most recent tweet: I'm at CompUSA. http://4sq.com/cKA7yw
2. Milt Haynes - Haynes is past national BDPA president and a long-time BDPA leader. His focus on Twitter is to promote social networking to help African Americans in IT stay connected.  Most recent tweet: The BDPA Insider – August 15, 2010 #BDPA http://ow.ly/2pRn0
3. Callie Herd - Callie is a member of BDPA Memphis chapter. She wants to be part of the future growth and expansion of the BDPA vision in Tennessee. Her passion is getting scholarship information to young African Americans.  Most recent tweet: The Hickory Hill Community Redevelopment Corporation Youth Reformation Initiative’s FREE after-school ... http://tinyurl.com/2678flf
4. Wayne Hicks - Hicks is executive director of BDPA Education & Technology Foundation (BETF) and a long-time BDPA leader. He uses Twitter to share information about fundraising, nonprofit finances, BETF grants and such.   Most recent tweet: Re: The role of Black inventors in the Computer and Data Processing.: Wayne said: "Keith - I've not read your book... http://bit.ly/d3W0qv
5. Reginald Hillery - Reggie is president of BDPA Columbus chapter.  I have watched Reggie quietly and effectively building the strength of his Ohio chapter.  His tweets are primarily focused on BDPA.  This is an African American IT professional who should be followed on Twitter by others in BDPA.  Most recent tweet: I'm attending BDPA Columbus August I/E Meeting - Embracing Technology: Virtual Reality -- http://august2010exchange.eventbrite.com/  
6. Michael Holman, Sr. - Holman is a long-time member of BDPA New York chapter. Michael was one of the SysOps that created BDPANet back in the early 1990s. He was a visionary when it came to taking BDPA into cyberspace.  Most recent tweet: Your next move in God, like a Surfer and that next Wave. Do not try to MAKE it happen! Be alert and when you RECOGNIZE it, you just RIDE!
7. Kevin Minus - Kevin is an HSCC alumni. He competed in the 2004 national HSCC championships as a member of the team trained by BDPA Dayton chapter. He now lives and works in the greater Cincinnati area and is very active within the Blacks In Technology network.  Most recent tweet: Man I slept to long. Time to read a little, map out my plan for the week and go to bed. See you later all.
8. John Malonson - John was one of the first BDPA leaders that I saw on Twitter. He is president of BDPA Los Angeles chapter.  Most recent tweet: I'm going to use the "smurf" equivalent for all of my future expletives
9. Pablo More - Pablo is the president of BDPA Orlando chapter. He is a business analyst for major bank with an interest in politics, technology, economic development, law, green technology, Black studies and Latin America.  Most recent tweet: WSJ: Brands Are Friending Social Gaming. http://tinyurl.com/22re2et    
10. Keith Warrick - Keith is a member of BDPA Atlanta chapter. He is a master networker, especially on the LinkedIn Network. His conference workshops have been heavily attended over the past two years.   Most recent tweet: recommends reading The Skinny on LinkedIn Recommendations...a good primer for writing the perfect LI recommendation! http://lnkd.in/hDkGn3

Are you on Twitter? What BDPA Twitterer do you follow that should be in the Top 10?

BlogTalk Radio: 'Future of African Americans in Technology' (August 28, 2010)

National BDPA and cozzas llc, a fully integrated Internet marketing and graphic design firm, highlight the 32nd Annual National BDPA Technology Conference on the cozzas BlogTalkRadio program “CloudSuiteSmart”, Wednesday, July 28th from 12:30 to 2:30 EDT.

African Americans sometimes underestimate the impact of technology on shaping the course of history. The show’s segments will include short interviews of senior BDPA officials to discuss their vision and dream for the organization. Internet Radio brings an added technology feature to the conference. It is a format that allows for real-time dialogue over the phone and in chat rooms anyone can access on the Internet. These Internet Radio interviews will provide multiple perspectives that are sure to appeal to anyone interested in the future of African Americans in IT.

This internet radio program will be hosted live from the 2010 BDPA Technology Conference to be held in Philadelphia, PA on July 28-31, at the luxurious Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Hotel. The theme of this year’s conference, “Access for All”.

“We are very pleased to recognize the outstanding contributions that BDPA has made for Blacks in Technology over the last 35 years,” said National Past BDPA President, Milt Haynes. “In this economy, many African Americans in technology are concerned about opportunities for both employment and advancement. It is important to recognize how BDPA has helped provide African Americans with challenging and fulfilling career opportunities in Information Technology.”

Today, BDPA is a global member focused organization that serves the professional well-being of its stakeholders. BDPA remains committed to excellence and providing a wide spectrum of resources to members, corporate sponsors, businesses, educational institutions and the community.

“BDPA is the voice of African Americans in IT,” said Jacqueline Lawson, President and CEO of cozzas llc. “cozzas llc is honored to be working with BDPA because it is committed to closing the digital divide and helping African American IT professionals advance.” Added Lawson, “I honestly believe that the BDPA can use its talents and resources to advance the cause of Blacks in technology and I welcome an opportunity to support a worthy organization in my field of service.”

I encourage all BETF-Blog readers to add this Internet radio show to their calendar. What questions would you like to see answered during the online dialogue?

What is BDPA? How Did You Learn About BDPA?

Milt Haynes is past national BDPA president. He was on a conference call recently with me and other members of the BDPA Social Network Team. One of the team members noted that many of the Black IT professionals simply do not know about BDPA. The conversation flowed to our memories about being introduced to BDPA in the first place.

Personally, I was introduced to BDPA by a programmer that worked with me at a Detroit data center back in 1988. He invited me to a program meeting and I became active right away.

Anyhow, Milt shared the following message with us ... and I wanted to open his question up to a wider audience. I hope that you will respond with your insights!

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What is BDPA?

BDPA is what you make it and now is your chance to make it all that it can be. BDPA is a shining star in my life and I know that it's a shining star in the lives of many others too. But why is BDPA the best kept secret in America? It's because we rely on the oral tradition of our ancestors to pass on knowledge through stories from generation to generation.

Times have changed!!

Through the ubiquitous Internet we have a chance to collect and capture our stories online so now they can live on forever!

Tell us your story. It doesn't matter if you're a President, Board Member, Corporate Sponsor, Student, Entrepreneur, or "just a member". If you have a BDPA story to tell, we want to hear it!

Better yet, we want to capture it in Wikipedia. Are you Internet savvy? Go click here to go Wikipedia and add your story.

Or just send your story to us at socialnetworking@bdpa.org.

Tell us your story. Help the BDPA legacy grow. You'll be glad you did.

Milt Haynes, chairman
Social Networking Team

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Please take a moment to share your thoughts in the COMMENTS section below. How did you learn about BDPA? What is BDPA to you?

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?

Technology Student Intern Program Registration Now Open

Milt Haynes (Blacks Gone Geek) is focused very much on identifying career opportunities for African American students and IT professionals. Milt recently issued this message to all aspiring technology students:

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Do you love working with computers? Would you like to get paid for doing something you love to do?

The following companies are looking for interns for their 2010 program: Abbott Laboratories, ADP, Allstate Insurance, AmericanEagle.com, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Kraft Foods, NASA, Steelcase and the U.S. State Department. They are waiting to hear from you!

Register for the program
We have volunteer career coaches available to help you with your responses. Let us know if you want help.

Positions are limited, so act fast!

Please share this information with your friends, co-workers and church members so that they can help us pass the word. The key is that we must share what we know with others so we can all grow and prosper.

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The internships that Milt brings to us are primarily in the metro Chicago area. Other internship opportunities are available on the BDPA Talent Management System.

Why Go Geek?

I served with Milt Haynes for almost ten years on the national BDPA board of directors. He is a brother with a powerful vision and work ethic.

He gave a workshop earlier this year that showed how to tap into talent communities using web 2.0 tools and techniques to find lucrative and rewarding career opportunities. His seminar was very on-target for anyone interested in building an online business or pursuing a long-term career in IT.

Here is the slideshow that he used during his workshop.

00 Bgg Nbdpa Presentation 2009

View more documents from Milt Haynes.

What did you find the most interesting about this slideshow?

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."