'Black Faces in White Places' Author Randal Pinkett Will Keynote BDPA Conference

Dr. Randal Pinkett, founder, Chairman and CEO of BCT Partners, a multimillion-dollar management consulting and information technology solutions firm headquartered in Newark, NJ., will give the keynote address at the 36th annual National BDPA Technology Conference on August 7, 2014 in Indianapolis.

Nationally distinguished as the only African American to receive the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship at Rutgers University, Dr. Pinkett was selected among over one million applicants to compete for the opportunity to run one of Donald Trump’s companies as part of 'The Apprentice', the reality television show.  He earned that opportunity with his victory in 2005.

Dr. Pinkett has been recognized by USA TODAY newspaper as one of the top 20 scholars in the country, and was featured on nationally televised programs such as The Today Show, Live with Kelly and Michael and Nightline. Governor Jon Corzine (D-NJ) identified Dr. Pinkett on his political shortlist as a running mate in New Jersey gubernatorial campaign.

Dr. Pinkett successfully launched the “Campaign to Redefine the Game,” which represents a call to action for Americans to level the playing field in the 21st century workplace. He is one of the most highly sought-after keynote speakers in the nation. Dr. Pinkett is the author of several books including 'Black Faces in White Places' (10 Best Books of 2010); 'No-Money Down CEO: How to Start Your Dream Business with Little or No Cash' and 'Campus CEO: The Student Entrepreneur’s Guide to Launching a Multimillion-Dollar Business'.



Revered for his contributions to the world of information technology, Dr. Pinkett received the Information Technology Senior Management Forum’s Beacon Award, the National Society of Black Engineers’ Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and the National Urban League’s Business Excellence Award. He served as a brand ambassador for AMTRAK, Verizon Communications, and Outback Steakhouse. He has also served as a national spokesperson for Autism Speaks, National Black MBA Association, MillerCoors Urban Entrepreneurs Series, New Jersey Reads, Junior Achievement of New York, Minority Information Technology Consortium and Black Data Processing Associates.

Related articles

• Video of Randal Pinkett Keynote at Affiliate Summit East 2013
• Dr. Randal Pinkett: How he landed a billion-dollar government contract by 'putting in the time and energy'
• BCT Partners Announces Merger with Lynx Technology Partners
• Digital Journal, 5/23/2013 (Goldie Bonney)

The Best Twitter Accounts for BDPA Members

BDPA members who are not using Twitter to market their chapter or business are missing out on a great opportunity. Twitter can also be a huge resource for BDPA members in the day-to-day operation of their chapter or business. However, BDPA members must know the right accounts to follow in order to benefit from all that Twitter can offer.

Here are 10 Twitter accounts that every BDPA member should be sure to follow:

1. TED Talks (1,630,325 followers)- @tedtalks - TED is a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out in 1984 as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. TED Talks began as a simple attempt to share what happens at TED with the world. These online presentations give everyone on-demand access to the world's most inspiring voices. TED Talks have been viewed more than one billion times.



Craig Brown

2. Craig Brown (1,036,086 followers) - @craigbrownphd - Craig is the National BDPA vice president at the moment.  He is also the only nominee to become the National BDPA president for 2014-2015.  Craig has more Twitter followers than any other member in the history of BDPA.  Hopefully he will be able to translate his ability to attract support in Twitter with a similar ability to attract new members to BDPA in the coming weeks and months.  Craig is a remarkable IT thought leader and I encourage you to get to know him.
3. Roland Martin (218,100 followers) - @rolandsmartin - Martin is managing editor for TV One; senior analyst for the Tom Joyner Morning Show; syndicated columnist for Creators Syndicate ... and most importantly to BDPA members is that he will be our keynote speaker at the 35th annual BDPA Technology Conference later this year in Washington DC. Martin is an unabashed champion for his fraternity and his favorite NFL team. Perhaps we can get him to be as much of a champion for BDPA programs, scholarships and services as well!
4. Change The Equation (8,637 followers) - @changeequation - A non-partisan, CEO-led initiative to connect and align efforts to improve STEM learning in the United States. These folks seek to mobilize the business community to change the way that science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning takes place in America. Don't you agree that BDPA members should be engaged in this initiative?
5. BDPA Foundation (2,415 followers) - @bdpa - You didn't think that I was going to give a Top 10 list and not include my own Twitter account, did you? BDPA Foundation is one of the most active Twitter accounts focused on BDPA programs, scholarships and services. The tweets give updates on funding sources, grant proposals, BDPA accomplishments, college scholarships, corporate sponsors, career opportunities and much more. These tweets also prove to be very useful to others nonprofit professionals outside of the BDPA family as well.

6. Blacks In Technology (1,974 followers) - @blkintechnology - The premier online community for Black techies. Membership is free and the camaraderie is priceless. Their motto is 'Bringing Unity to the Black IT Community'. One of the most outstanding ideas to come forth from these folks is the BIT Tech Digest - an online resource of technology information written entirely by Black technology professionals.
7. Blerdology (761 followers)- @blerdology - 'Blerds' are Black Nerds. This twitter account is the Black tech social enterprise that fuels their ambitions, facilitates collaboration & makes blerd life more awesome. It is an outgrowth of the Blerdology website and I hope that we see more Blerds in BDPA over the coming weeks and months!
8. BDPA Conference (235 followers) - @bdpa_conference - The annual BDPA Technology Conference has taken place since 1979. It is the largest gathering of African American information technology professionals in the world. All BDPA members should make the trip to this BDPA mecca at least once during their collegiate or professional career. These tweets keep you updated on scheduled workshops, plenary sessions, keynote speakers, corporate sponsors and so much more.
9. BDPA Atlanta - @atlantabdpa (144 followers) - This chapter is fast-becoming a BDPA powerhouse.  They are the home of the defending national High School Computer Competition champions.  They put on some very powerful programs that serve as 'best practices' for the other 45 local chapters around the nation.  This chapter is focused and successful in a number of ways that should be admired by all BDPA members.  I strongly encourage all BDPA members to do themselves a favor ... follow this Twitter account right now!
10. BDPA New York (87) - @bdpanewyork - BDPA New York is the 2-time defending 'Chapter of the Year'.  They don't have many Twitter followers ... but, they are very active in terms of programs and services to the IT community.  The chapter president, Renetta English, is one of the hardest working leaders in BDPA-Nation.  Show them some Twitter love ... they've earned it!

Well, those are my Top 10 Twitter accounts that I think should be followed by all BDPA members. What do you think? Which Twitter accounts do you think are missing from this list? Which of these Twitter accounts do you co-sign as being truly worthy of our attention? I look forward to your comments!