Thursday, February 13, 2014

BDPA Student Wins National Aspirations in Computing Award

Hadiya Harrigan, senior at Seven Hills Upper School, has been selected as one of 35 high school students in the United States to receive the 2014 Aspirations in Computing award. The National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT) selected Hadiya from a diverse applicant pool of more than 2,300 students.

Hadiya has been very active in the BDPA Cincinnati chapter for several years. She participated in our High School Computer Camp, national competitions, and most recently received a sponsored internship with Luxottica. She won the 2013 Oracle Scholarship for BDPA Students as well.

BDPA is extremely excited about Hadiya's achievement and wait anxiously for what is next to come.
Congratulations to our very own Hadiya Harrigan on her being awarded the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing award! Hadiya represents the all that is valuable for those volunteers and corporate sponsors who invest in BDPA programs that take our students from the classroom to the boardroom”, said BDPA Cincinnati chapter president Dalric Webb. “Hadiya’s personal drive, ambition, and talent are a perfect complement for the BDPA SITES and STEM based initiatives. As a chapter, we endeavor to continue to support Hadiya and all of our students and members in reaching their full potential and advancing their personal careers in the technology space”.
Since 2007, the Award for Aspirations in Computing has recognized more than 2,200 young women; more than 71 percent of the recipients currently in college report majoring or minoring in a traditionally male-dominated STEM field. The Award for Aspirations in Computing is a component of NCWIT Aspirations in Computing, a talent development initiative designed to increase female participation in technology by providing structured, long-term engagement and support from middle school through high school and from college into the workforce. The Aspirations in Computing Award is supported nationally by AT&T, Bank of America, Bloomberg, and Microsoft.
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Tuesday, February 11, 2014

TD Bank Community Grants

The TD Charitable Foundation focuses on the following areas of giving: affordable housing, education/financial literacy, and the environment. The Foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations in TD Bank communities. Applications are accepted online throughout the year.

For more information, http://www.tdbank.com/community/grants.html
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Monday, February 10, 2014

Scholarship: American Association of Blacks in Energy (2014)

For 2014, the Washington DC Metropolitan Area Chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy is delighted to announce that it will award three (3) scholarships to deserving high school seniors in the Washington DC area, who are of African American, Hispanic or Native American descent (underrepresented minorities in the energy industry).


All scholarship awards are merit based. The AABE Washington DC chapter will award a total of $6,000 in scholarship monies:
  1. First Place Award of $2,500
  2. Second Place Award of $2,000
  3. Third Place Award of $1,500. 
AABE Washington DC chapter plans to honor the winners in June at its Scholarship Awards Luncheon.
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Sunday, February 9, 2014

This Week in BDPA (February 9-15, 2014)

BDPA offers strong programs in 46 cities around the nation. Are you taking advantage of these programs? Here is a weekly preview of upcoming events gathered from the centralized BDPA calendar:
Please let us know of other BDPA events 
that we may have missed! 
You can always find BDPA programs, services or networking activity online at places such as:
BDPA supports your efforts for career advancement in the IT industry. Our hope is that you find reasons to provide tax-deductible support to our Causes, our HSCC Scholarship Funds or Your Causes! We encourage all BDPA leaders to take advantage of the centralized BDPA Groupsite Calendar to post your upcoming events.
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Saturday, February 8, 2014

BDPA State of the Chapter (Philadelphia, January 2014)

BDPA Philadelphia hosted its annual 'State of the Chapter' meeting in last month. Featured speakers included BDPA Philadelphia chapter president Eileen Gadsden, National BDPA president Dr. Craig Brown and National BDPA founder Earl Pace. Enjoy this video clip from that meeting:



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Friday, February 7, 2014

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.
Encourage your member of Congress to participate today!
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Thursday, February 6, 2014

Technology Expresso Cafe': Dr. Craig Brown (February 6, 2014)

National BDPA president Dr. Craig Brown joins the folks at the Technology Expresso Cafe' to share his update on the 2014 events and changes. He broadcasts a call to action for current, future and past members who have been affiliated or benefited or hope to benefit from this 39-year old association of African American information technology professionals.

Dr. Brown seeks to lead BDPA to the next level of organization success as part of his 2014-2015 vision. Enjoy the interview!

Popular Technology Internet Radio with Tech Expresso Cafe on BlogTalkRadio
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Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Where Are They Now: Black IT Professional Magazine

Do any of you remember the Black IT Professional Magazine that we published back in 2004-2005 era? I was very proud to be national president when this glossy-covered magazine was a publication shared with all BDPA members and conference attendees.

There were a number of BDPA members, entrepreneurs and experts in the August 2004 issue of the magazine (see list below). I wonder where they are now?

  • Robert Anthony - 'Securing Our Resources at Home and Abroad'
  • Mario Armstrong (Mayor's Office of Baltimore) - who's who in IT
  • Adrian Backus (Princeton Theological Seminary) - who's who in IT
  • Tonee Bell (A Unity System) - 'Making His Mark in Computer Technology'
  • Robert Bonow, MD - 'Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle'
  • Vercilla Brown (BDPA Exec Director) - 'Membership message'
  • Todd Stephen Burroughs - 'Securing America Post 9-11'
  • Geary Broadnax (Dovarri) - 'IT Entrepreneurs Creating Our Own'
  • Dale Bryant (The Bryant Group) - 'Finding Financial Security'
  • Stampp Corbin (RetroBox) - 'IT Entrpreneurs Creating Our Own'
  • Richard Campbell (Securiant) - 'Securing Our Future Through Technology'
  • Tony Davis (ElliottRoth & Associates) - 'Supercharge Your Career'
  • Sharon Dawes - 'Securing America Post 9-11'
  • Linda DeLavallade (Hewitt Associates) - 'Supercharge Your Career'
  • Lurita Doan (New Technology Management) - 'Securing Our Future Through Technology'
  • David Dobrin - 'Securing America Post 9-11'
  • Sonya Donaldson - 'Securing Our Future Through Technology'
  • Pierre Dunagan (The Dunagan Group) - 'Finding Financial Security'
  • William Farrow (Chicago Board of Trade) - 'Supercharge Your Career'
  • Marvin Fields - 'Supercharge Your Career'
  • Elizabeth Fife, Ph.D. (Center for Telecom Management) - 'Careers in Telecommunications'
  • Ansel Floy (Medstar Health VNA) - who's who in IT
  • Sharon Gazaway-Bell (Audio X-Press) - 'Team Building: Play Your Way to Profits'
  • Chance Glenn, Ph.D. (Syncrodyne) - 'IT Entrepreneurs Creating Our Own'
  • Melvin Gravely, Ph.D. (Institute for Entrepreneurial Thinking) - 'IT Entrepreneurs Creating Our Own'
  • Charles Hickey (BDPA Los Angeles) - 'BDPA Member Invovled in Community Outreach'
  • Wayne Hicks - BDPA president's message
  • David Hinson (Wealth Management Network) - 'Finding Financial Security'
  • Gerald Hoffman - 'Securing America Post 9-11'
  • Pamela Horne (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts) - who's who in IT
  • Jamal Jackson (Detroit MI) - letter to the editor
  • Dr. Mae Jemison - 'Dr. Mae Jemison is Headliner at BDPA Conference'
  • Pamela Jeter (Verizon Communications) - who's who in IT
  • Channelle Johnson (Washington DC) - letter to the editor
  • Josephine Johnson, MD - 'Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle'
  • Marcus Johnson - 'Team Building: Play Your Way to Profits'
  • Patrice Kelly - 'Team Building: Play Your Way to Profits'
  • John Laney (CM IT Solutions) - 'IT Entrepreneurs Creating Our Own'
  • David Malone (Information Logistics Group) - 'IT Entrepreneurs Creating Our Own'
  • Cathy Marks (Houston TX) - letter to the editor
  • John McCarthy - 'Securing America Post 9-11'
  • Pamela McElvane - publisher's page
  • Lamont Meeks (ComSys) - 'Securing Our Future Through Technology'
  • Sheryl Nance-Nash - 'IT Entrepreneurs Creating Our Own'
  • Sherreen Ogletree (Wiltech Systems Group) - who's who in IT
  • Deborah Owens - 'Get Your Wealth Online'
  • James Owens - 'Careers in Telecommunications'
  • Tyrone Parker (Hewitt Associates) - 'Supercharge Your Career'
  • Francis Pereira, Ph.D. (Center for Telecom Management) - 'Careers in Telecommunications'
  • Bruce Scheier - 'Securing America Post 9-11'
  • Matthew Scott - 'Finding Financial Security'
  • Mary Spio (Gray-Spio Digital Media) - 'IT Entrepreneurs Creating Our Own'
  • Lolita Standifer - 'BDPA Member Involved in Community Outreach'
  • Stephen Trilling (Symantec) - 'Careers in Telecommunications'
  • Arthur Varnardo (T. Rowe Price) - 'Get Your Wealth Online'
  • Montressa Washington - 'Get Your Wealth Online'
  • Carolyn White - 'Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle' and 'Making His Mark in Computer Technology'
  • Gregory White (Watson Wyatt Worldwide) - 'Careers in Telecommunications'
  • Rebecca Whitener (EDS) - 'Securing Our Resources at Home and Abroad'
  • Charmon Parker Williams, Ph.D. - 'Supercharge Your Career'
  • Don Woodard, MD - 'Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle'
  • Annette Yates (BDPA Richmond) - 'Member Spotlight'
Where are they now?

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma & Texas Renews BDPA Gold Level Sponsorship

Blue Cross Blue Shield of IL, MT, NM, OK and TX earned the highest honors that BDPA offers as its Epsilon Award winner - 'Top Company for Blacks in IT' - in three different years ... most recently in 2013. As such, National BDPA proudly announced that the company renewed its sponsorship commitment in 2014 at the Gold level. The continuing support of BDPA on-going diversity and inclusion efforts on behalf of the information technology industry is rapidly becoming legendary.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, and several subsidiaries are part of Health Care Service Corporation, the largest customer-owned health benefits company in the United States and fourth largest overall.
Sheila Marionneaux
Ms. Sheila Marionneaux, Office of the Chief Information Office, said "At Blue Cross Blue Shield of IL, MT, NM, OK and TX, we are committed to BDPA, a longtime community partner, to sustain and further develop valuable technology and leadership competencies for both students and adults. We are excited and devoted to our partnership and look forward to an ongoing alliance with BDPA in 2014 to meet our mutual objectives".
There are dozens of BCBS employees in both Chicago and Dallas.  The 2014 sponsorship includes funding support for programs and services implemented by local BDPA chapters in those two chapters.
BDPA Chicago chapter president Reggie Rush said,  "BDPA Chicago Chapter is proud of our long standing partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of IL. BDPA professional and educational programming, access to experienced professionals and development of future IT Talent through our student programs afford companies such as BCBS to achieve their Diversity/Inclusion and citizenship objectives."
The company plans to take full advantage of the BDPA Job Board in its efforts to recruit diverse information technology talent in the coming weeks and months.  Also, the company will have major visibility at the 2014 National BDPA Technology Conference in a variety of venues.
Dr. Craig Brown
On behalf of the National Board of Directors and the National Executive Committee It is my honor and privilege to welcome Blue Cross Blue Shield of IL, MT, NM, OK & TX as a returning Gold Level Sponsor. We could not provide the member services that our professional and student members receive without the support of organizations like Blue Cross Blue Shield IL, MT, NM, OK & TX” said Dr. Craig Brown, National BDPA president.
BDPA is recognized nationally as a global member-focused technology organization with over 45 active chapters in the United States. BDPA continues to stand as a leader in delivering 21st century technological programs, college scholarships, mentoring, support and services for youth and adult Information Technology professionals.

For more information on sponsorship options, contact Wayne Hicks, Director, BDPA Corporate Sales Department, corpsales@bdpa.org, (301) 584-3135 ext. 108.
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Sunday, February 2, 2014

This Week in BDPA (February 2-8, 2014)

BDPA offers strong programs in 46 cities around the nation. Are you taking advantage of these programs? Here is a weekly preview of upcoming events gathered from the centralized BDPA calendar:
Please let us know of other BDPA events 
that we may have missed! 
You can always find BDPA programs, services or networking activity online at places such as:
BDPA supports your efforts for career advancement in the IT industry. Our hope is that you find reasons to provide tax-deductible support to our Causes, our HSCC Scholarship Funds or Your Causes! We encourage all BDPA leaders to take advantage of the centralized BDPA Groupsite Calendar to post your upcoming events.
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Saturday, February 1, 2014

Top 10 BDPA Chapters (Membership, January 2014)

The lifeblood of any nonprofit association is its membership. The streak of five straight months of membership growth ended in December and a new streak began last month!  The total membership increased by 3% in the first month of the new year.  This reflects the new excitement and energy brought to membership recruitment and retention under the leadership of National BDPA president Dr. Craig Brown and National BDPA VP-Membership Management Adrienne Thomas.

We want to congratulate BDPA Chicago chapter for maintaining its dominance when it comes to membership size.  The chapter has been holding the #1 spot for over a decade ... although I understand that there are a few chapters making moves to challenge them in 2014. BDPA Chicago chapter president Reggie Rush will have to stay on his toes this year!

Reggie Rush
We believe in the management maxim -- you get what you measure.  Let us assess the numbers in order to honor those local BDPA chapters who are demonstrating success in their efforts to recruit and retain members. Let's take a look at the ten largest chapters in BDPA-Nation:
  1. Chicago - president, Reggie Rush
  2. Washington DC - president, Perry Carter 
  3. Philadelphia - president, Eileen Gadsden
  4. Atlanta - president, Derrick Brown
  5. Cincinnati - president, Dalric Webb 
  6. New Jersey - president, Goldie Bonney (up 2 spots from last month)
  7. Los Angeles - president, John Malonson (down 1 spot)
  8. Dallas - president, Chad White(down 1 spot)
  9. New York - president, Tyronne McKinney
  10. Detroit - president, Beverly Moore

We continue to have four chapters in the 'BDPA Century Club'! The benefit of having powerful leadership is obvious when we see that Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia and Washington DC each have over 100 members. One of the common denominators for each of these chapters is that they place a high premium on the delivery of quality programs and services to their members. These chapters work hard to ensure that there is a strong return on the $100 investment that each member makes thru annual dues.

What are your thoughts about the value of BDPA membership? What can your local chapter do to improve the value-proposition for you on a personal or professional level?
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