Message from the BDPA Dallas Chapter President

If I had to recap this year’s National BDPA conference in one word it would be 'Exhilarating'.


Roland Martin-National BDPA Technology Conference / August 2013 from Stacy Stewart on Vimeo.
Opening Ceremony keynote speaker Roland Martin focused his energetic delivery on how we need to communicate the information technology message to our youth by transforming the way we show and tell our story.& He was simply amazing.

Our BDPA Dallas students participated in the 2013 High School Computer Competition championship, and even though this was a rebuilding year for us.  The students were excited, motivated and eager to learn as much as possible about the whole competition process. I want to give big kudos to Amber Jackson for stepping in as our instructor just days before the start of the conference and Manasseh Lee for training the students.

This is the second year in a row that the Dallas Chapter won recognition as the Social Media Champion of the BDPA Conference!

The professional workshops were phenomenal with over twenty outstanding presenters covering a variety of topics, and the networking opportunities are always a highlight for me.

From my perspective, National BDPA conferences are so successful because of the family atmosphere; you can see it in the smiles, the laughter, and the engagement of others helping others. I experienced this love every day of the conference. From the co-founder Earl Pace during an impromptu interview with me;  national president Monique Berry who is always giving me encouraging words; Wayne Hicks, my go-to person for any and everything; Teresa Williams for keeping us on track, and my brothers who are always there to lend a helping hand Curtis Jenkins, Jesse Mathews, Dr. Craig Brown, Frederick Smith, Matthew Harvey and William Flowers.

Epsilon Award winner Stacy Stewart and his BCBS friends

If we did not have the support of our corporate sponsors and my company BlueCross BlueShield of IL, MT, NM, OK & TX (BCBS), it would be very difficult to accomplish many of our tasks, My company submitted the nomination for the Epsilon Award for Community Service that I won this year.

It is no accident that BCBS was named the 'Top Company for Blacks in Technology' by BDPA in 2013. After all, BDPA is able to leverage dedication and leadership from some of the best minds in the industry, such as Denise Holmes (BCBS/BDPA corporate president), Sheila Marionneaux (BCBS/BDPA corporate champion), Tanshaneika Swire (BCBS/BDPA corporate champion), Chad White (BDPA Dallas vice president of Member Services), Chris Privoznik (BCBS/BDPA executive champion) and Brian Hedberg (BCBS chief information officer).

The 36th annual National BDPA Technology Conference will be held in Indianapolis, IN on August 6-9, 2014. I encourage all BDPA Dallas chapter members to 'save the date' and plan to attend. These annual BDPA Conferences tend to be the highlight of the year for students and professionals in the information technology industry!

Stacy L. Stewart, president
BDPA Dallas Chapter

Message from BDPA Dallas Chapter President

BDPA Dallas Chapter Taking A Look Back on 2012

Stacy Stewart

As I reflect over the past twelve months and on our original plans of “Energizing Tomorrows Futures” for our members through professional development meetings, networking events, youth programs and enhancing our social media tools, I am proud to say with our members and the leadership teams dedication and commitment, we are moving full steam ahead.

BDPA Dallas Chapter made several accomplishments in 2012:

• One of the first tasks the Dallas Chapter had to achieve was to make sure we had a platform to share and broadcast information, so we revamped and redesigned our local website and created a twitter account.
• Partnered with Verizon Community Outreach Awards and Recognition Luncheon – This event recognized outstanding students who participated in the computer-training program.
• Provided presentations and webinars that covered technical and professional development to Internet marketing.
• Trained high school students in HTML, SQL, CSS, PHP, project management, oral presentation skills, and teamwork.
• Participated in the diversity and inclusion business resource groups fair hosted by Health Care Services Corporation.

As we move forward into 2013, The Dallas Chapter is still committed on focusing on “Energizing Tomorrows Futures”.

BDPA Dallas Chapter’s primary goals for 2013:

• Enhance our youth programs while expanding professional education and development programs for adult members.
• Engage current members and increase membership base.
• Connect with similar organizations that are mutually beneficial.
• Secure funding for our youth programs.

I encourage individuals to get involved. Whatever time you can commit is time well spent. The bottom line is we are here to empower and enrich individuals to reach their potential. Please join today. If your membership has expired please renew today.

Thank you,
Stacy Stewart, president
BDPA Dallas Chapter
president@bdpadallas.org

BDPA Dallas Chapter Board of Directors (2013)

Stacy Stewart

BDPA Dallas chapter is bodacious in its planning and its ambitions for the coming year. The chapter has been growing its membership and building a steady flow of programs for IT professionals in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. As we have learned ... in BDPA 'everything rises and falls on leadership' ... and BDPA Dallas chapter is blessed to have very strong leaders.

Meet the BDPA Dallas chapter board of directors for 2013:

---

Stacy Stewart, President
Employer: Health Care Service Corporation

Denise Bagley, President-Elect
Employer: Health Care Service Corporation

Chris Johnson, VP-Finance and Immediate Past President
Employer: Dallas Ft-Worth Airport

Angie Pesek, VP-Membership Management
Employer: Health Care Service Corporation

Debbie Young, VP-Member Services
Employer: JPMorgan Chase

Alicia McKinley, VP-Strategy & Planning
Employer: Dallas Ft-Worth Airport

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Please share some love for this remarkable set of volunteer leaders! In fact, you can encourage them in their 'good works' by making a secure online donation to the college scholarship fund for the High School Computer Competition team trained by BDPA Dallas chapter to compete in next year's championship.

VIDEO: BDPA Technology Conference Introduction of 'Future Faces of Technology'

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) executive director Wayne Hicks introduced the young people who participated in the 34th annual BDPA Technology Conference held on August 1-4, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland. Wayne had a great time ... and the young people had even more fun!



We hope that you will find a way to support the college and career aspirations of these BDPA student members. In fact, if you have time or inclination, please make a secure online donation in support of our Dr. Jesse Bemley Scholarship Fund.

Finally, we want to share a soul-clap with BDPA Dallas chapter president Stacy Stewart who took the time to edit this video!

Reflections on 2012 BDPA Technology Conference

National BDPA president Monique Berry adjourned the 34th annual BDPA Technology Conference last night. It was a truly remarkable 4-day gathering of information technology thought leaders from all over the nation. Here are some comments for those who were there in person.

1. Monique Berry (National BDPA president) -

   "Congratulations to all of our winners as well as every child that participated in the Youth Technology Camp and the High School Computer Competition. I'm very proud of each and every one of you."

2. Goldie Bonney (BDPA New Jersey chapter president) -

   "Had a GREAT time with my BDPA family at the conference. Shout out to all other chapter presidents who continue to do big things in their respective chapters. Congratulations to Renetta English on her Chapter of the Year win again for NY! See you all next year in DC!"

3. Perry Carter (BDPA Washington DC chapter president) -

   

   Congratulations BDPA Atlanta (2012 HSCC World Champions) and BDPA New York (2012 Chapter of the Year) for this year's accomplishments and for upholding the highest standards in community involvement and philanthropy in direct support of America's STEM initiatives! We hope to see greater achievements in Washington DC next year.

4. Dr. Curtis Charles (Fayetteville State University senior associate vice chancellor) -

   "I will like to express my sincere thanks to Perry Carter and the BDPA Leadership for allowing me the opportunity to participate in the BDPA HBCU STEM panel. Fayetteville State University and the Center for Defense and Homeland Security look forward to a long and lasting relationship with all BDPA Chapters. Please feel free to call upon me at anytime."

5. Yvette Graham (National BDPA past president) -

   "Just arrived back home in Chicago (Oak Park) from Baltimore Maryland where I attended one of the best conferences for NBDPA. Congrats to all winners (Sponsors, Members, and Students). A special shout out to the HSCC Team from the BDPA Atlanta Chapter for being the first team ever to receive a perfect score!!! Thanks to the NBDPA Leadership Team and the National Conference Team for a JOB WELL DONE!!!"

6. Wayne Hicks (BETF executive director) -

   

   "I just had a great time introducing over 100 young people who are the future face of technology at the Opening Ceremony of the 34th BDPA Technology Conference in Baltimore, MD. I can't begin to tell you how remarkable it was to see these bright young faces as they were being recognized by BDPA sponsors, leaders, volunteers and members. BDPA is such a truly remarkable organization. Another highlight of the event was the fact that we raised over $6,000 in about 10 minutes to increase the amount of college scholarships that we will give out to high-performing HSCC students. BDPA is truly 'Making Moves' and I'm grateful to be part of it."

7. Cedrick Moore (National BDPA career development director) -

   "I just returned from the 2012 BDPA Technology Conference in Baltimore, MD. I just want to let you know that the jobs recovery is REAL. Not since the early 2000's have I seen employers so anxious in seeking jobs candidates. Here are a few that truly demonstrated to me they are ready to hire today: GE, JP Morgan Chase, State Farm, Microsoft, MillerCoors, Johnson & Johnson, WellPoint, Wells Fargo, etc. Not minor players here.
   
   The funny thing is, I was consistently being told that YOU (minority I.T. professionals) DO NOT EXIST or in other words, you are hard to find and hire. They were certainly looking for YOU so....
   
   What do you think? Comments?"

8. Sharrarne Morton (Morton Media president) -

   "Just witnessed a room full of remarkable young scientists, engineers, mathematicians and technologists win thousands of dollars in scholarships at the BDPA National Conference in Baltimore, Md. Where were the TV cameras? There are brilliant young people doing spectacular things to ensure a brighter future for all of us. Congratulations to them all! We will see you at next year's conference in DC!!"

9. Stacy Stewart (BDPA Dallas chapter president) -

   

   "Hello BDPA family, I'm currently in the air returning from the 34th annual National BDPA Technology Conference that was held in Baltimore and I must say this was an exhilarating experience, from the opening ceremony to the formal gala held on the last day of the conference. The professional sessions, dignitaries reception and networking with other BDPA members across the nation was exceptional. Teams from seventeen chapters competed in the High School Computer Competition in which the Atlanta chapter won thousands of dollars in scholarship monies and received high-end HP laptop computers. The Youth Technology Camp produced and edited videos this year with one of our Dallas students on a winning team.
   
   Next year our National BDPA Conference will be held in Washington DC on August 14-17. I encourage all of our members to attend! If you have not experienced a National BDPA Conference you don't want to miss this one ... if you have experienced a National BDPA Conference before, then I know you will be there."

Message from Dallas Chapter President

Stacy Stewart

Happy New Year BDPA Dallas!

I’m excited about the new year and would like to share my letter to the organization as the President of the Dallas Chapter of BDPA.

This year, our focus will be on “Energizing Tomorrows Future”.

Our primary goals in 2012:

1. Enhance our youth programs while expanding professional education and development programs for adult members
2. Engage current members and increase membership base
3. Connect with similar organizations that are mutually beneficial
4. Secure funding for our youth programs

In preparation for this years task, we will initiate primary initiatives over the next few months that are in accordance with our 2012 goals. These initiatives include:

• Partnering with existing Technology Camps (Urban League)
• Membership drive
• Youth Technology Week
• Webinars

Our monthly meetings and other social and community activities provide an excellent opportunity for our members to network with professionals from various corporations and organizations. This year, we will be expanding the number of social events to allow even more opportunities for networking.

We are energized and ready to start the new year with a bang by inviting you to get involved with “Energizing Tomorrows Future”.

Sincerely,
Stacy Stewart, president
BDPA Dallas Chapter

Election Results: BDPA Dallas (2012-2013)

Stacy Stewart

Please join this blog in welcoming in the new officers for BDPA Dallas Chapter! These brothers and sisters ... under the leadership of Stacy Stewart ... will guide the fortunes of this Texas-based chapter in 2012-2013:

• President - Stacy Stewart (BlueCross BlueShield of Texas)
• President-Elect - Denise Holmes (BlueCross BlueShield of Texas)
• VP-Finance - Chris Johnson (Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport)
• VP-Membership Management - Angie Pesek (BlueCross BlueShield of Texas)
• VP-Member Services - Johnny Wilson (FIS)

BDPA Dallas chapter, founded in September 1987, has a proud history. That history will be honored under the leadership of Stacy and his crew over the next two years as they strive to be one of the best chapters in the South Region.

You can help the chapter by supporting the BDPA Dallas HSCC Scholarship Fund!  Or you can help by simply replying to this message with some goodwill for the chapter leaders!