College Students Create Music Streaming Application

Meet Omose Ogala & Daniel Nfodjo​, creators of Vizzi Music! Frustrated with the cost of music, Omose worked with his brother, Idia Ogala to get Vizzi Music off the ground. Later adding Daniel to the team, these college students are giving one of the best music experiences, but completely FREE. Now they are competing with the big dogs like Apple Music, Spotify and Pandora!

Vizzi Music can be found on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.   We are proud to report that Daniel is a BDPA college student member. He attends University of Cincinnati and was a recipient of the Johnson & Johnson scholarship.

Let's find a way to feature this company and product at the upcoming 2017 National BDPA​ Technology Conference on July 26-29 at the Duke Energy Center!

UN Africa Industrialization Day – Mobile Payments Pave the Way

Helmut Okike

Guest Blogger: Helmut Okike (Omlis)

Global mobile payments solutions provider, Omlis, believe that mobile payments is still the key catalyst for economic and social growth in Africa as they support the United Nations Africa Development day to be observed on November 20, 2014. This global observance day was initiated in 1989 at the 25th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) with the aim of drawing attention to the ongoing issues and challenges of industry in Africa.

“Many African economies have shown impressive growth rates in recent years, but increased prosperity has not always translated into inclusive wealth creation,” UN secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement on their website. The Secretary General added, “On the occasion of Africa Industrialization Day, I reaffirm the commitment of the United Nations to promote Africa’s inclusive and sustainable industrial development to help ensure and economically prosperous and socially integrated continent.”

With a population of 1.1 billion and rising, Africa is currently experiencing exceptional growth to match its growing population. The question of how African-based economies can cope with their increasing population growth experts say is being answered through the explosion of mobile payments in emerging economies across the world, with Africa emerging as a global leader in this market space. Mobile payment experts Omlis have attributed Africa’s leadership in this mobile centric space to availability and access of affordable mobile phones and internet services, lower transaction costs compared to traditional alternatives and financial inclusion options for the previously un-banked and excluded.

“Through mobile payments, Africa is beginning to show the economic potential that it always had. Mobile liberation means that industries from farming to telecom can effectively share knowledge, communicate and most importantly transact quicker and cheaper,” said Markus Milsted CEO of Omlis. Mr Milsted also added, “As a leader in the secure mobile payments space, Omlis ensures that mobile users operating on 2, 3 and 4G can access digital services with complete confidence. In mobile payments, trust is our most valued currency and we ensure that it’s justifiably spent.”

Research by Gallup across 23 countries in sub-Saharan Africa found that 65% of households had at least one mobile phone, with countries like Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso experiencing an average annual growth rate of 9% since 2008. The same research found that 80% of urban households in Africa had a mobile phone compared with 63% of rural households compared to 2008 where the figures were 63 and 43% respectively.

With energy being a key component for industrialization and economic development, it is still a resource that is scarcely available to nearly two thirds of African households. Almost 80% of Kenyans rely on kerosene as a source of energy due to the lack of electricity. This has had an impact on education, commerce and wealth creation. This being said, Kenyans have experienced a digital revolution through mobile payments. Affordable mobile phones now provide Kenyans, both urban and rural, direct access to the internet for little or no cost, minimizing any reliance on fixed landline and internet infrastructure that are heavily reliant on electricity.

“Africans didn’t invent mobile phones, but they invented a new way of using mobile phones.” Said Calestous Juma, a leading voice on technology and development in Africa. Mr Juma also added, “Energy is becoming the biggest barrier to greater connectivity. All those smartphones that use broadband use power, so there is an energy challenge of how to expand to rural areas.”

As Africa Industrialization Day is observed across the world on the 20th November 2014, it is worth noting that Africans continue to display their ability to adapt and adopt new technologies and points of view. It is very unlikely that this behavior will change in the near future and the rapidly closing gap between African economies and the “industrialized” world dictates that the status quo should be maintained.

Third Annual Verizon Innovative App Challenge, Designed to Spark Students' Interest in STEM, Now Open for Entries

The Verizon Innovative App Challenge, now in its third year, is once again calling on middle school and high school students to gather their teams, dream up ideas, and create concepts for mobile apps that could solve problems in their schools and communities.

The first two Verizon Innovative App Challenges have encouraged thousands of students to develop an interest in [STEM] and have awarded cash grants totaling $340,000 - and 130 new tablets, courtesy of Samsung Telecommunications America - to winning teams. Verizon is extending the program as part of its commitment to the Obama administration's ConnectED initiative, to which the company has pledged up to $100 million in cash and in-kind contributions over the next three years.

Read the rest of the Verizon news release.

BDPA Mobile Application Showcase: Richard Watts III (Central Illinois)

BDPA Central Illinois member Richard Watts III (University High School) earned first place (and a $6,500 college scholarship from State Farm!) for his efforts during the 1st Annual BDPA Mobile Application Showcase.



BDPA used this initiative to expose its student members to mobile application development and showcase the students' expertise during the annual national technology conference. The students were provided with foundation training for mobile application development and mentoring throughout the pilot. The 2014 BDPA Mobile Application Showcase featured high school and college students that designed, developed and deployed a mobile application (business, personal productivity or game) to a mobile device for display at the national conference.

L-R: Craig Brown, Markita Payne, Michael Tyson, Richard Watts III, Tonji Zimmerman, Jason Gibson

The BDPA Mobile Application Showcase was sponsored by State Farm.

BDPA Mobile Application Showcase: Itobore Odje (Cincinnati)

BDPA Cincinnati member Itobore Odje (University of Cincinnati) earned second place (and a $5,500 college scholarship from State Farm!) for her efforts during the 1st Annual BDPA Mobile Application Showcase.



BDPA used this initiative to expose its student members to mobile application development and showcase the students' expertise during the annual national technology conference. The students were provided with foundation training for mobile application development and mentoring throughout the pilot. The 2014 BDPA Mobile Application Showcase featured high school and college students that designed, developed and deployed a mobile application (business, personal productivity or game) to a mobile device for display at the national conference.

L-R: Craig Brown, Markita Payne, Michael Tyson, Itobore Odje, Tonji Zimmerman, Jason Gibson

The BDPA Mobile Application Showcase was sponsored by State Farm.

Congressional High School App Contest

This year marks the first annual Congressional STEM Academic Competition, the “House App Contest.” This new competition is designed to engage student’s creativity and encourage their participation in STEM education fields. Established by Members of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2013, this competition is a nationwide event that allows high school students from across the country to compete by creating and exhibiting their software application, or “app,” for mobile, tablet, or computer devices on a platform of their choice.

The “House App Challenge” is open to all high school students in participating districts. Students entering the competition must submit their app’s source code online by April 30th.

Can I Participate?

• Members of Congress must opt-in for their district to participate in this competition. If a Member does not opt-in, constituents in their district will be ineligible to participate. Find out if I am eligible.
• The Competition is open only to high school students who reside in a participating district or who are eligible to attend public high school in that district. Individuals submitting on behalf of teams must meet the eligibility requirements for individual Contestants

To Register

To enter, the student must register for the House Student App Challenge under their participating Member of Congress’ profile and register on www.challengepost.com during the Competition Submission Period. All entries must be an original in concept, design and execution.

• Register for the House Student App Challenge 
• Register at http://housestudentapps.challengepost.com/

Encourage your member of Congress to participate today!

Related articles

• Virginia Congressman invites students to app design contest

Verizon Foundation App Challenge

The Verizon Innovative App Challenge provides the opportunity for middle school and high school students, working with a faculty advisor, to use their STEM concept that incorporates STEM and addresses a need or problem in their school or community. The challenge deadline is January 18, 2013.

Click here for more information.

Mobilizing to Fundraise

Just about every organization has social media as part of the engagement process and many use mobile giving to raise funds. Together the two barely register in the giving scale, unless there is a natural disaster.

The question that requires an answer is whether engagement results in fundraising that isn’t immediately tracked. Clearly, the hope is that it does. The other challenge is expanding mobile giving to include more than just emergencies, given the capabilities of new phones.

Read more.

BDPA Atlanta, Real Talk Webinar: Guy McDonald (World Wide Technology)

Did you know that there are dozens of BDPA professional development meetings all over the country each month? BDPA Atlanta chapter is having one tonight -- April 18, 2012 -- on the topic of mobile devices.

BDPA Atlanta chapter president Felicia Jones takes a moment in the following video clip to share more information on the speaker behind the topic -- Guy McDonald (World Wide Technology). During the interview he gives more background information about himself, his family and a synopsis of what he will be speaking on at the April 18, 2012 meeting.

The New Mobile Giver and the Story Behind Millions in Donations by Text for Haiti

A new kind of charitable giver is emerging in the mobile age. A report underwritten by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has found that this donor is younger and more likely to be African American or Latino than traditional donors. Moreover, new donors often use their mobile phones to make contributions through text messaging that is inspired by moving and sometimes distressing stories about people in crisis.

Read the full Council on Foundations article.

The Future of Mobile Technology (BDPA Philadelphia)

I encourage all of our Philadelphia-based readers to check their calendars for November 16th as we want to encourage attendance for the upcoming event hosted by the local BDPA chapter.

  BDPA Philadelphia 4-Time National Chapter of the Year

in cooperation with

presents

The Future of Mobile Technology

 

Mobile technology is a collective term used to describe the various types of cellular communication technology. Mobile CDMA technology has evolved quite rapidly over the past few years. Since the beginning of this millennium, a standard mobile device has gone from being no more than a simple two-way pager to being a cellular phone, GPS navigation system, an embedded web browser, and Instant Messenger client, and a hand-held video gaming system. Many experts argue that the future of computer technology rests in mobile/wireless computing.

Chris Duffy (@christoferduffy), CIO of Peirce College, will speak about power/coding/space and how to re-mediate these challenges with newer technologies and redesign. Chris has over 20 years broad experience in technology strategies, global web development, disaster recovery and large scale project management. He is a highly sought industry expert and speaker, underscoring ingenuity and common sense professional approach to customer needs. Chris’ extensive background in development and deployment of systems integrating leading-edge technologies with legacy systems makes him a highly sought industry expert and speaker.

DATE: Wednesday, November 16, 2011

TIME: 6:00pm - 8:00pm ET

WHERE: CIGNA Insurance Building

1601 Chestnut Street, 3rd Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19192

Click here to RSVP for this program meeting.  Please contact Byron Mayes at vpprofdev@bdpaphilly.org if you have questions or wish to discuss further.

Blacks In Technology Podcast #22: Sian Morson (Kollective Mobile)

We are very grateful to Greg Greenlee for his consistent efforts to provide us with greater insights into the technological genius of our time ... especially those of African descent. Greg does this with regular pod-casts that are published on the Blacks In Technology (BIT) website. A recent BIT podcast featured Sian Morson (CEO/Founder, Kollective Mobile)

Blacks In Technology Podcast #22 - Sian Morson

Sian Morson is a digital veteran and mobile evangelist who has been working in the interactive and digital fields since 1999. A project manager by trade, Sian moved through the ranks at some of the top advertising agencies in the world including Tribal DDB, Draft/FCB and McCann Erickson. She has managed the development of web properties and bleeding edge campaigns for international brands such as Philips, Coca-Cola and Aviva. She made the transition to mobile in early 2006 and hasn’t looked back. Sian formed Kollective Mobile, a mobile development agency, in 2010 and is a strong advocate for the early adoption of mobile across all platforms.

Sian has lectured, and written about mobile and its influence on such disparate sectors as art, small business, and the African American community. She is a regular contributor to Politic365 where she covers mobile and technology.

An internationally exhibited video-artist, Sian’s work centers on the topics of sex, race, and of course, technology. She holds a BFA in Film & Television from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and an MA in Electronic Arts from Middlesex University in London.

Most recently, Sian has hosted a panel on Art & Technology at the Festival of New Black Imagination’s inaugural event. Sian is consults regularly with start-ups on their mobile strategy and is available for speaking engagements.

How Many Mobile Apps are Produced by African-Americans?

Kai Dupé

Article by Kai Dupé, Cross-posted from Atlanta Post

There are over 425,000 mobile apps available on Apple’s App Store for the iPhone. The Android Marketplace now has well over 30,000 apps for their devices. According to the website TechCrunch, there has been more than 1 Billion downloads from the App Store as of April 2009. Here is a question? How many of these apps are produced by African Americans?

I would venture to guess we are producing very little. Mobile phones are the most ubiquitous way people communicate and interact with information. With more than 5 billions users communicating and interacting on these devices, the lack of African Americans producing mobile apps has to change.

Further, suppose you want to support Black-owned mobile businesses? How would you go about doing that? We need more African Americans creating products in the mobile space, but in order for that to happen we must support those who are doing just that. How do we find them? I am happy to report things are changing.

In the August issue of Black Enterprise, there is a feature about African Americans who are shaking things up in Silicon Valley called Rule Breakers, Risk Takers: The New Faces of Silicon Valley. This is a very inspiring read and I highly recommend the article. Also, not only is there now an online market for applications for the undiscovered and undeveloped, Inky-Apps, but brothers and sisters are also fully engaged in developing applications for the mobile platform.

Inky-Apps is one of Americas first web stores dedicated to the promotion, advertisement, and development of mobile applications for the undeveloped and undiscovered mobile markets. The site was founded by Richard Fields. Fields is a long time Silicon Valley veteran with over 20 years of information technology experience in computer networking for the enterprise. He has worked for such companies as Xerox, MCI, LSI Logic, MFS DataNet, Tandem Computers, Compaq Computers and Hewlett Packard.

I have also learned of several apps that have been developed for mobile devices that were developed by African Americans. The first to come to my attention is an application called Multiple Madness, which is a math game that tests how well you know math multiples.

The application was developed by Veda Rogers. When I spoke with Veda a few months ago, she revealed that she made the decision early in the development process to keep the app simple. It only took her 3 months to develop the application working part-time in the evenings and on weekends.

Then there is Celly. Celly can be used on any cell phone. I am currently evaluating it on my iPhone 3Gs (I am awaiting the release of the iPhone 5). Celly creates mini social networks called cells that connect you with people and topics that matter most to you. A cell can contain anybody with a cell phone, people from your existing social networks, or any web feed.

The app lets you define filters based on hashtags, location, time, and user identity so you can eliminate noise and get alerted only when relevant messages occur. The potential for this application is huge for schools. The beauty of Celly is that you do not need a Smartphone. Any phone that allows text messaging will work fine.

Finally, there is the Sankofa Solar app, which is more informational in nature. The ability to access information on the go, particularly information that is relevant to the African American community is certainly important and at the present time very unique.

Sankofa Solar provides solar technology innovations from the Black community and the solar industry. This is a free app and you can learn more about it and install the application by visiting the Android MarketPlace and searching on “Sankofa Solar”.

There is simply too much opportunity here and we as African Americans need to make sure that we get our share of this mobile app pie. I received my blessing from Apple this week to provision my creations to the App Store. I intend to do just that. I have two ideas that I will submit before the end of the year. What are you going to do?

---

Kai Dupé is a doctoral student at Pepperdine University where he is conducting research on Why African American Males Are Underrepresented in Computing. Kai can be reached by email at kai.dupe@kaidupe.com or by visiting his website at www.WhereAreBlacksInTechnology.com or follow him on twitter @KaiDupe

Mobility Showdown: Android vs. iPhone (BDPA Los Angeles)

BDPA Los Angeles chapter had a great professional development meeting earlier this month. The presenter, John Malonson, engaged the audience in a discussion designed to inform anyone that has a smart phone, tablet, or is in the market for one.

John was kind enough to share his presentation with us for posterity.





What did you learn from this 'Mobility Showdown' presentation?

Jonecia Keels and Jazmine Miller (Spelman College): Future Face of Technology

Jonecia Keels and Jazmine Miller are full-time students at Spelman College. They are the 2010 Big Mobile on Campus winners.

There winning mobile application is called HBCU Buddy. HBCU Buddy is a mobile application created to educate and inform users, including both prospective and current college students, about Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) across the United States.

The application opens with a directory profiling each HBCU with information on academics, admissions, research, student life, alumni and other details. After selecting a school students can navigate through the school – literally – by accessing virtual tours of buildings, on-campus videos, and local GPS and directions. The application also provides students with customizable social networking features to connect with each other, their school and community. Students can use the application to follow the latest on school club and campus happenings, local events, hot spots around the community and more.

Here is interview that Ms. Keel and Ms. Miller gave to NBC on HBCU Buddy:






The future face of technology is all around us ... and that is good news!