BDPAConnect Diversity Career Fair * March 15-16, 2017

BDPA is proud to host the BDPA Connect Virtual Career Fair on March 15-16, 2017.  BDPA plans to connect candidates and companies to fill important technology positions and promote diversity initiatives in information technology, computer science and related STEM fields.

overview-BDPAVirtualCareerFair

BDPA Connect is a two-day virtual recruiting operation sponsored by BDPA, Pink Tech, VetJobs and Professional Diversity Network. Technology candidates from across the USA will be invited to search opportunities.

Chapter President Profile: Victor Montgomery (BDPA Atlanta)

Victor Montgomery

BDPA Atlanta chapter is the 3rd-largest chapter in the nation and they hosted the 2016 BDPA Technology Conference. The chapter is led by Victor Montgomery (State Farm). Victor is an innovative, forward thinking Information Technology (IT) leader, with over eleven years of IT experience. He draws upon his technical acumen as he contributes to the growth and maturity of State Farm's IT into the metro-Atlanta area.

A graduate of Illinois State University, Victor obtained his Bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems in 2004. He joined State Farm in 2004 starting his career as a mainframe programmer. Victor is currently pursuing his Masters of Science in Computer Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He is very excited to be a part of the Georgia community helping to move IT forward.

Victor and his wife, Malikah, have one daughter and two sons: Nailah, Victor Jr. and Benjamin.

Message from BDPA Cincinnati Chapter President

Shawnda Peterson

Good morning all!

We had a good state of the union session last night. We were able to sign up three new individuals and hopefully have three move willing to join the organization. We discussed the national conference taking place in Cincinnati, Ohio during the week of July 26 - July 29. This is the first time in the 39 years the national conference has been taking place that it has been held in Cincinnati. This is a great accomplishment not only for our city but for our local chapter.

We have several interests with the media to do stories on several of the initiatives taking place inside of our organization. I hope everyone on the board will be willing if need to help speak and discuss some of the great things were are doing in the organization and how we are preparing for the conference. I hope everyone would be able to attend this year. The cost is $350/members and $450/non-members. and it is a strong possibility that your company will pay for your conference fees. I put in the request in this morning for me and I hope you do the same. Dr. Dalric Webb will be the local representative for the conference. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to him.

Debbie Sanders on January 11, 2017 stepped up to fill the board position as the VP of Finance. I would like everyone to please congratulate her on her new position when you have a chance. Thank you so much Debbie for stepping up in 2017 and we truly appreciate all your work.

We had an open forum with the group and here are some topics the members would like to see this year. If you know anyone who could possible speak on any of the topics please reach out to Aissatou Guisse.

Potential Topics included:

BDPA Cincinnati Program Meeting

• Alexa app development 
• AWS (Amazon Web Services)
• Artificial Intelligence
• Cybersecurity
• Datalake
• DevOps - Mike Lively has volunteer to speak to the group again
• Entrepreneurship
• Internet of Things (including security)
• Linux
• Mobile application development and deployment
• Network Security
• Protecting websites from web scrapers
• Recruitment Panel - This will be our February monthly meeting
• Security

I would like a take a moment to thank all board members and members who make an effort to join the monthly meetings. I truly appreciate it. I look forward to a good 2017 and hope that we can continue some good work.

Sincerely,
Shawnda Peterson, president
BDPA Cincinnati Chapter
(513) 549-6991
Twitter: @BDPACincinnati

BDPA Cincinnati Computer Camp Orientation (2017)

Frank Hill (Cincinnati State) lead the BDPA Cincinnati Computer Camp Orientation on January 14, 2017. There were over 30 people in attendance for the orientation including four of our past High School Computer Competition (HSCC) students. BDPA Cincinnati plans to host the computer camp for the next 13 weeks thru April 8, 2017.

Here is the deck that Frank used at the orientation:

BDPA Cincinnati Computer Camp Orientation (2017) from Entrepreneurial Engagement Ohio

Frank reminded the audience,

"All, for my 18th consecutive year with BDPA, I got to interact with a new group of talented students with a bright future in front of them. I personally get a lot of energy and hope for the future when I work with young students. I additionally get joy when I see them succeed in life. BDPA can't take all of the credit for this, however, I think we are a building block. Adam Goines, one of our students last year and a freshman at University of Dayton, just got his first patent. Adam's mother who is an administrator at Cincinnati State introduced me to him two years ago. He stopped by my classroom a number of times to discuss technical projects that he was working on. Last year he joined the camp and received our training. We still have discussions on how to use micro-controllers for his projects at the University of Dayton.

For many Black students, we are the next best thing to getting a "leg-up" in a ever increasing technological society. The robot revolution will be in full force within the next five years. The great discussion about how to keep traditional manufacturing jobs in the USA is futile. I say this a lot to my students at Cincinnati State. The entire world is on a path to automation and our population is behind the curve.

I see my role for my remaining time on the earth as helping people, especially young people with the transition. I encourage all of you to make that direct connection with young lives. It makes a big difference in how they turn-out in life. I had people perform that function for me and for the past 40 years, I have had a strong desire to "pay it forward". Lastly BDPA is the organization that performs this function best. I checked!"

You can help these students by making a secure online donation in support of BDPA Cincinnati! We hope you can schedule some time to visit these students over the coming Saturdays. Just click here to let us know you'll be in attendance!

BDPA College Student Overview

Earl Pace and David Wimberly founded BDPA in November 1975 as a local association. Within three years, the founders grew BDPA into a national organization with chapters in Philadelphia, Washington DC and Cleveland. Today, there are 46 chapters throughout the United States. One part of the BDPA legacy is our program for college students and college campuses. This is a program that enriches the opportunities for our students in a variety of post-secondary education institutions with a focus on low-and moderate-income communities.

31% of BDPA’s membership consists of college students. BDPA understands that its educational life cycle moves from the classroom to the boardroom. A major element of the educational life cycle resides with college students. Annual membership dues for college students are only $25 … a significant savings from the annual membership dues that adult professionals invest in BDPA membership.

BDPA established the college student program to teach advanced computer science and community responsibility to students from historically disadvantaged communities. There are four major components of our college student program that impact on the educational future of K-12 students:

1. College Scholarships
2. IT Showcase
3. Internships and Entry-Level Jobs in IT Industry
4. Mobile Application Showcase

Most of our 46 local BDPA chapters run programs that provide science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curriculum and experiences for young people of color in community colleges, 4-year colleges and vocational schools. These training programs include a monthly program meeting hosted by each local chapter that provides remarkable information from industry professionals as well as unique networking opportunities that are not replicated anywhere else in the community.

BDPA seeks to have more students in college studying STEM-related disciplines. BDPA created the BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) in 1992 for the purpose of giving college scholarships to deserving high school students. Over 200 college scholarships valued at over $469,900 have been handed out by BDPA and BETF. In addition, BDPA created two programs that feature college students - IT Showcase (2003) and Mobile Application Showcase (2014). BDPA began the process to bridge the ‘digital divide’ before the term was widely known. BDPA recognizes that to close the gap of computer and technology literacy, minority youth must participate and compete in today’s digital economy. Otherwise, our youth run the risk of being obsolete in America’s workforce.

The BDPA college student program is intellectually challenging and builds self-esteem through the mastery of applied computer science. We create a foundation for academic and career success. BDPA trains our youth to use technology as a vehicle to learn skills and concepts beyond the technology itself. In essence it bridges the gap between long-term educational approach of the classroom and short-term skills experience of the workplace.

It is worth noting that all of these BDPA programs have an added advantage in our efforts to cultivate exceptional talent – we go beyond just providing programming and STEM-based skills. BDPA also trains these young people in project management, time management, public speaking, team-building and presentation skills. In summary, they learn the fundamentals of being an IT professional and personal leadership in the workplace.

Grant Declination: Michael & Susan Dell Foundation ($5,000)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) worked with our BDPA Middle Tennessee chapter to submit a $5,000 grant proposal to the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. Our proposal was declined. The folks at the Dell Foundation wrote,

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"Thank you for visiting the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation website and for submitting your request for funding.

Unfortunately, we cannot provide financial support for your project. Your proposal has been personally reviewed by a foundation program officer and consideration has been given for your objectives, past success and future vision. However, your project and organization is not aligned with our goals and strategies at this time.

While we wish we could help every organization in the world, we have chosen to align our work around specific geographies, missions and outcomes. We believe that to be effective given our mission and principles, we must focus our resources. Your program sounds very worthwhile; however, at this time, we must regretfully decline participation in this project.

We wish you the very best with your future endeavors."

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Although we've won a $5,000 grant from the Dell Foundation in the past ... it wasn't meant to be this year. We will continue to work with BDPA Middle Tennessee chapter to find the funding that they need to send their students to the 2017 BDPA Technology Conference in Cincinnati, OH.

You can make a donation to support BDPA Middle Tennessee right now!

2015 National BDPA High School Computer Competition (HSCC) Rankings

2015 National HSCC Champions * BDPA Atlanta

The 2015 National BDPA High School Computer Competition (HSCC) championships were held in Washington DC. We had 15 teams competing in 2015. The two-day competition was fierce and we had a new champion from Atlanta! The 2014 HSCC Champion were from BDPA Atlanta and they earned HP laptops and a $2,000 Dr. Jesse Bemley Scholarship for attending college. They beat out the defending championship team from BDPA Washington DC and the team who placed won the silver medal at the 2014 competition from BDPA Greater Columbia.

The winning team from Atlanta included Cameron Reaves, Saket Shirsath and Yash Shirsath.

Here are the rankings for all 15 teams that competed in 2015 national HSCC championships with the scholarship winnings for each student in parenthesis:

1. Atlanta ($2,000 Bemley Scholarship for each student)
   
2. Washington DC ($1,500 scholarship)
3. Greater Columbia ($1,000 scholarship)
4. Southern Minnesota ($750 scholarship)
5. New Jersey ($500 scholarship)
6. St Louis
7. Cincinnati
8. Middle Tennessee
9. Indianapolis
10. Chicago
11. Dallas
12. Twin Cities
13. Triangle
14. New York
15. Milwaukee

Our foundation seeks to increase the number of students that receive Bemley Scholarships. To do so, we need your help. Please consider making an online donation to help us interest young people in science and technology.

Introduce Yourself

Wayne Hicks, BETF Exec Director

Hotep! My vision for the BDPA Foundation blog is simple. I want you to feel that you learn about the vibrant programs and services offered by BDPA on a global basis. I want our blog to become a welcoming and interactive place for BDPA members and supporters to come together and share information with one another. Just relax for a moment in your hectic surfing through cyberspace ... relax and enjoy the vibe of our BETF-Blog.

We hope that our voice is a worthy one in the blogosphere. The BETF-Blog strives to share information that uplifts people of African descent throughout the information technology industry. There are a number of ways that you can stay connected in a timely manner. However, we realize that it is your voice that makes us better. Please comment freely on any post that you read here in the BETF-Blog.

If you have any questions, or want to promote your chapter or your technology-based blog then you can do so right here! Just leave a 'comment' to this post.

Kwanzaa: Imani ('Faith')

Habari Gani? Imani (ee-MAH-nee)!
Day 7. January 1

To believe with all our hearts in our parents, our teachers, our leaders, our people and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
When life seems to bring nothing but a string of defeats and disappointments, we've got to have faith that something good is still in store for us. With this faith, we can forge ahead and continue to put forth our best effort. Without it, we give up and accept what comes our way, good or bad. Our precious dreams begin to seem absurdities.

It is imperative that we see ourselves as worth and deserving of a good life. There may be rejections; it may take us a while; but as long as we stay in the game, there's every chance we'll score. On the sidelines, we can only watch as others do the work and the winning.

Perhaps it is time for us to celebrate this seventh principle of the Nguzo Saba principle, 'Imani'! Perhaps it is time ... as we enter for a new year ... to step out on faith.

On this day, I will spend five minutes to relax and visualize success in achieving one of my goals.

Those are my thoughts about Imani. Please take a moment to join this online Kwanzaa celebration with me. What do you think when Imani comes to mind?

Kwanzaa: Kuumba ('Creativity')

Habari Gani? Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah)!
Day 6.  December 31

Using creativity and imagination to make your communities better than what you inherited.
I don't consider myself to be 'creative' in the normal sense.  I haven't written many poems in my life.  I don't create original artwork of any kind.  I don't create my own songs.   I imagine that I'm not unlike many of you.  I suspect that many of you join me in feeling confined in the roles we play, expected to conform to the expectations of others.

However, God gave each of us 'wings' on which to fly our personal journey.  Caged, we can do little more than flutter those heavenly wings in frustration.  We must sing to give vent to our misery, to express ourselves and to create beauty in our own world.

We all need to find outlets for our stifled selves.  In the act of creating, we enter an almost meditative state where our troubles cease to exist and our spirit heals and fortifies.

Painting, playing an instrument, or writing a poem my readily occur to us as means of creative expression, but so are blogging, gardening, cooking, or quilting -- whatever appeals to our individual natures.

Perhaps it is time for us to celebrate this sixth principle of the Nguzo Saba principle, 'Kuumba'! Perhaps it is time ... as we prepare for a new year ... to allow our creative natures to breathe a little more.  Perhaps it is time for each of us to allow the caged bird inside of ourselves to sing ... to fly.

On this day, I will do something artfully.  I will write a letter, make a pencil sketch, or just rearrange one of my rooms in a different way.

Those are my thoughts about Kuumba. Please take a moment to join this online Kwanzaa celebration with me. What do you think when Kuumba comes to mind?

Harambee!

Kwanzaa: Nia ('Purpose')

Habari Gani? Nia!
Day 5, December 30

To make as our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
Can any hill stand between you and your beloved? No. Especially if it is your purpose or goal to be with that person. Of course, there are hills in life. Heck, sometimes there are mountains. But when life is good, it seems like there are no hills. Why? Because, like a baby driven to walk, we are undeterred by the obstacles between us and our goal.

African Americans have certainly had our share of disappointments and setbacks. But, we have learned that when we are really focused, nothing can hold us back. When we believe that our goal is worth and that we are worthy to achieve it, we are more than halfway there. We need only plant our feet on the road and keep moving forward.

Perhaps it is time for us to celebrate this fifth principle of the Nguzo Saba principle, 'Nia'! Perhaps it is time ... as we prepare for a new year ... to set written goals for all of the areas of our life: family, financial, health and spiritual. If not now, when? We can always do more to set and seek out specific goals in life, because we all benefit when our brothers and sisters succeed.

On this day, I will do at least one thing that will help me accomplish one of my goals.

Those are my thoughts about Nia. Please take a moment to join this online Kwanzaa celebration with me. What do you think when Nia comes to mind?

Harambee!

Kwanzaa: Ujamaa ('Cooperative Economics')

Habari Gani? Ujamaa!

To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them.
Cooperative economics can help African Americans take physical control of their own destinies. Did you know that 95% of all earnings in the Black community ends up in the hands of non-Black people? Is it any wonder that when one community has $1.95 and our community has a nickel ... that one community is more respected by local government; has better police relations; has better schools; has better economic outcomes? Perhaps it is time for us to celebrate this fourth principle of the Nguzo Saba principle, 'Ujamaa'!

We can always do more to support our people, because we all benefit when our brothers and sisters succeed. If it means going a block farther to a Black-owned store, let's do it. And if the quality of the merchandise or service disappoints us, let's communicate that to the owner so we give her every chance to rectify the situation and count on us as a permanent customer.

Let's buy books and albums by African Americans, and go to movies by African American directors. Remember the simple saying, "Put your money where your mouth is." Let's show support, and not decry the lack of it.

Those are my thoughts about Ujamaa. Please take a moment to join this online Kwanzaa celebration with me. What do you think when Ujamaa comes to mind?

Harambee!

Kwanzaa: Ujima ('Collective Work and Responsiblity')

Habari Gani? Ujima!

To come together to build and maintain our communities.
None of us walks alone. Especially in the Black community. We need to realize that we stand on the shoulders of others. Celebrating the Nguzo Saba principle, 'Ujima', gives us a chance to reflect on those that helped us reach our current platform. We can pay homage to our parents, grandparents, siblings, teachers, mentors, colleagues or others that came into our lives. Nubians in America should also lift up in praise those African Americans that came ... some were lost ... so that we might have the freedoms we enjoy today.

In other words villagers ... let's be proud of our accomplishments. We earned the right to be proud. However, let's also remember that our accomplishments may never have happened without the help of others struggling before us. Now, we must pay it forward. We must reach back, down or across to others to help them on their journey.

Those are my thoughts about Ujima. Please take a moment to join this online Kwanzaa celebration with me. What do you think when the Ujima comes to mind?

Harambee!

Ryan Dale Uses His Johnson & Johnson Scholarship at University of Louisiana

Ryan Dale * JnJ Scholar

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) is proud to announce that Johnson & Johnson awarded a $2,500 college scholarship to ten (10) students. One of those students is Ryan Dale of University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He will use the scholarship funding to support his education in Informatics.

Ryan's concentration is in Systems Administration and he has a minor in Business. Ryan has been training in martial arts (mainly TaeKwonDo) since he was six years old. He started working at my martial arts school at age fifteen and have been working at multiple martial arts schools ever since. He also owns a small business that is a social venture based on spreading the power of positivity through martial arts tricking: an acrobatic form of movement including aspects from martial arts, gymnastics, dance and other disciplines.

After completing his second summer internship with GE, he signed on to start with their Digital Technology Leadership Program. Ryan looks forward to the rotational and leadership opportunities this program presents to him. He plans on taking on both technical and project management-­type assignments. After graduating from the program, he plans on finding a location to settle down in and become a project manager and eventually work my way up to a CIO position or something like it.

When asked to share his thoughts on BDPA,

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Organizations like BDPA are key in a fast-paced field such as technology because they bring together bright minds from all over for one cause. In a world filled with globalization around every corner, organizations that support ideas and innovations are the glue that helps hold the industry together. Education and networking are so important throughout a person’s career and being a part of BDPA provides opportunities to grow and develop through so many outlets.

My favorite memory could perhaps be characterized as being quite recursive. This scholarship that was awarded to me with Johnson & Johnson shows me the incredible opportunities available to those who get out there and shoot for them. Not only are the opportunities important, but the companies and organizations that back those opportunities, such as Johnson & Johnson and BDPA, are so important when it comes to recruitment and retention in the technology field. I find it inspiring and I plan on giving back as well when I am settled into my career. This vote of confidence has made that much of an impact on me and I am extremely grateful for it.

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BDPA is blessed to have such a young and talented student on board as BDPA student member and a winner of the Johnson & Johnson Scholarship. We look forward to supporting Ryan's career as he seeks to advance in the technology industry!

Kwanzaa: Kujichagulia ('Self-Determination')

Habari Gani? Kujichagulia!

To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.

The second principle in the Nguzo Saba calls for us to spend less time worried about what 'THEY' are thinking and more time focused on our own decisions. We can't waste our time trying to live up to the expectations of others. We must value the importance of our own personal goals. How are we living up to our own inner compass of what is right and wrong ... our own values ... our own dreams.

I plan to spend more in 2016 focused on setting and exceeding my own financial, family, physical and spiritual goals. I intend for 2016 to be a year in which I live my dreams. No more sitting back and waiting for others ... it is time for me to take control of my situation fully and completely.


Today, I take the first step.

Harambee!
I hope that other villagers are considering what the concept of 'kujichagulia' or self-determination means to them.

Here is an affirmation for today that we can all use -- 'On this day, I will take five minutes and visualize that I have accomplished one of my goals.'

Grant Declination: Brewers Community Foundation (BDPA Milwaukee)

Brewers Community Foundation provides a significant number of grants each year to nonprofit organizations that provide quality programming in the areas of health, education, recreation and basic needs, with a particular focus on low income and disadvantaged youth and their families. BDPA Milwaukee wrote a $5,000 grant proposal to them seeking support for the 2017 Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program. We were recently informed that our proposal had been declined.

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Dear Mr. Hicks,

Brewers Community Foundation has reviewed your request for financial support and regret we will be unable to contribute to your organization. Our decision was not based on any deficiency in either the information you provided us or the worthiness of the request, but rather our determination was based upon the funds available for grants this year.

We wish you success in your endeavors.

Sincerely,
Cecelia Gore
Executive Director

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Brewers Community Foundation is the official charitable arm of the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team. Brewers Community Foundation harnesses the pride, passion and commitment of Brewers fans, players and other supporters to positively impact the lives of children and families in Greater Milwaukee and Wisconsin.

We will continue to raise money for BDPA Milwaukee

Kwanzaa: Umoja ('Unity')

Habari Gani? UMOJA

To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.

You live long enough and you begin to realize that you cannot have an impact on your community, nation and race until you first have an impact on your family. It is through the good you do with your parents, siblings, spouse, children, nieces, nephews and cousins that you leave your mark on the world. The pebble that you drop in the lake called family will begin to flow out in concentric circles that will grow larger and larger over time.

Make yourself and your family stronger ... you make our community and our nation stronger. Am I doing enough to make ourselves stronger mentally, physically, financially and spiritually?

The past is gone. Our ability to changes things for the better begins today. What can I do to make myself better mentally? physically? financially? spiritually? These are questions that I will ask myself today as I meditate on the meaning of 'umoja' in my life. I will find ways each day to improve myself and my family ... even my blogging family ... so that we might be stronger as a community and as a nation. Each one, reach one.

Harambee!

Care to share your thoughts on the concept of Umoja, the first principle shared in the Nguzo Saba?

Top Pharmaceutical Company Eli Lilly and Company Continues Diversity Commitment to BDPA

Eli Lilly and Company, one of the world’s top pharmaceutical companies and one of Fortune’s Most Admired Companies recently renewed its Gold Level sponsorship commitment to BDPA to increase diversity by creating opportunities in the industry.

Mike Williams

National BDPA President Mike Williams said, "Eli Lilly continues to be an invaluable partner and sponsor for BDPA. They continue to distinguish themselves as champions of workforce diversity through their actions and financial commitment."

Lilly is a global health care leader that unites caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. For more than a century, they have stayed true to a core set of values—excellence, integrity, and respect for people -- that guide them in all they do: discovering medicines that meet real needs, improving the understanding and management of disease, and giving back to communities through philanthropy and volunteerism.

Tim Coleman

One of Eli Lilly’s many principle commitments is respect for people. "We are proud to again partner with and support BDPA. The organization’s work to ensure a diverse talent pipeline for the future and to encourage young people to explore careers in science and technology aligns with our beliefs at Lilly,” stated Tim Coleman, Eli Lilly and Company Senior Director. “Education is so vital to creating the professionals who will contribute to the discovery of innovative medicines of the future," he added.

Eli Lilly and Company is headquartered in Indianapolis, IN. They have been strong sponsors and examples to others in the city. BDPA Indianapolis Chapter continues to provide opportunities to promote professional development and administer student programs to help high school students gain knowledge, skills and competitive experiences in Information Technology. The chapter has remarkable accomplishments in 2016, including: 2016 Chapter of the Year, 2nd & 3rd Place College IT Showcase Winners (4 participants), 1st & 2nd Place High School Mobile Showcase Winners, 2 Students won iPads and several students were awarded scholarships.

Terry Morris

Terry Morris, BDPA Indianapolis Chapter President stated, “As President of the Indianapolis Chapter of BDPA, I am once again proud to stay thank you and recognize Eli Lilly and Company for its sustained commitment to BDPA and its pledge to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. Eli Lilly has been the most tenured and consistent sponsor of our local chapter’s youth and professional development efforts. Their sponsorship, and more importantly, their willingness to allow their leaders to play a significant role in the leadership and execution of the chapter played a key role in the Indianapolis chapter being named the 2016 Chapter of the Year.”

For more details on the BDPA corporate sponsorship program, contact the corporate sales support team at (301) 584-3135 ext. 108 or corpsales@bdpa.org. Additionally, please visit www.bdpa.org.

Grant Recipient * BDPA Greater Columbia ($4,000)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) awarded BDPA Greater Columbia with a $4,000 grant in support of its 2017 Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program. The funds will be used for 2017 BDPA Conference registration, lodging, airfare, incidentals for Youth Technology Students, expenses for chaperones, classroom instruction and college scholarships.

BDPA Gr. Columbia Students

BETF seeks to provide funding for National BDPA and its 46 local chapters. We encourage you to support our BDPA Greater Columbia chapter by making a secure online contribution.

Member on the Move: Jasmine Mann (Virginia Military Institute)

Jasmine Mann Wins Scholarship

We are very happy to report that one of our new college student members ... Jasmine Mann .. earned an improved college scholarship.   Jasmine was nominated by E. Sean Lanier to become a BDPA college student member sponsored by Hilton Worldwide.  Jasmine is a freshman at Virginia Military Institute who combined her strong academics she earned during summer school and first semester along with her demonstrated leadership potential to earn an upgrade to her ROTC Scholarship.  She will use her scholarship to continue her students in Electrical & Computer Engineering. 

Jasmine is  a member of ROCKS Inc., an essential leader in providing developmental guidance to members of the Army officer corps and ROTC cadets.  She is also a member of the VMI chapter of National Society of Black Engineers and the BDPA Hampton Roads chapter. 

Good luck to Jasmine!