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

Black Male Mentoring Programs

I encourage all 'BDPAers' to find a way to support Black Male Mentoring Month in January 2013.

Perhaps you can help influence those schools, faith organizations, community organizations, fraternities and sororities in your sphere of influence to create and manage mentoring programs during January 2013 for young Black men. You can find ways to help at the National Cares Mentoring Movement or Mentoring USA. You will find a number of leaders in the mentoring movement at either of those websites.

Many of pulling together events for Black Male Mentoring Day -- January 19, 2013 -- which also happens to be the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Please call the Black Star Project at 773.285-9600 to get an organizing kit to create a mentoring program in your community or your city.

The choice is ours ... either strong, positive Black men will mentor Black boys or somebody else will and we probably won't like the results!

Message From the National BDPA President

Seasons Greetings,

The past year was filled with historic moments:

Barack Obama, the first African American President of the United States was re-elected for a second term. For the first time in its 37-year history, chapters were run under the guidance of 4 regional vice presidents. Finally, BDPA entered the ranks of the "debt free” by paying off all outstanding debt.

Monique Berry

As we celebrated these historic events, we also kept our eyes on the BDPA mission. In fact, far from content with our organization’s previous growth, the leadership laid the foundation to take BDPA to the next level. Two of the challenges plaguing Blacks in technology have been retention of Black students in college computer science programs and exposure of young Blacks to STEM fields. Many already are aware of our efforts to expose children to technology through our Student Information Technology Education and Scholarships (SITES), High School Computer Competition (HSCC) and IT Showcase programs.

This year we also had an additional focus: Growing the number of collegiate members on college campuses across this country. Of the thousands of Black freshmen in the U.S. who say they want a computer science degree, only 30% are successful in obtaining one six years later. We are confident that with your continued support, we shall dramatically improve that metric!

We also made progress on our commitment to deepen member engagement. This was accomplished in three ways: face to face, philanthropic donations, and social network interactions. Half of all members were engaged in at least one of those ways.

Other highlights for 2012 include:

• The launch of one of BDPA’s most exciting programs in years, the Career Triage, our monthly live webinar series
• The launch of a redesigned National Website
• Awarded over $50,000 in scholarships to BDPA student members
• The launch of CISSP and Security+ certification classes
• Introduction for Education Grants for unemployed members seeking certification
• Complimentary conference registrations for unemployed members
• The launch of our NEW BDPA job board -- IT Diversity Careers
• HBCU panel during the conference
• Networking cocktail hour during the career fair
• Participated in the White House HBCU Summit in Washington, D.C.
• Developed partnerships with NCWIT, NOBCChE and the Coalition of Minority Technical Organizations
• Increased visibility for the organization through media

As we prepare to move into 2013, we sincerely thank you for helping us inspire our present membership, as well as our future generations of young, talented, Black technology professionals.

Happy holidays,
Monique Berry, president
National BDPA

Over 465 IT Jobs Posted on BDPA Job Board

BDPA is very pleased to let you know that Dell, Health Care Service Corporation and the University of Cincinnati recently subscribed to the new BDPA Job Board – www.ITDiversityCareers.com. BDPA feels great momentum from Corporate America as they seek to recruit diverse information technology talent. These folks want to hire you and those you know through BDPA. Our response needs to be demonstrated by increased uploading of BDPA member resumes!

Job postings in the past week (Dec 20-27, 2012) were shared with us by almost 30 companies, including: Advance Central Services, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, CarMax, Cisco Systems, City of Grand Rapids, Core Media Systems, Covidien, DataEdge Consulting, Farmer’s Insurance, Faulkner State, Home Depot, International Technology Solutions, Johnson Controls, Laitram, Long Branch School District, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Matlen Silver Group, Param Consulting Services, Perry Systems, Quest Diagnostics, Renaissance Manor on Cabot, S Cube Soft, Smart Source Technologies, Strategic Resources International, Texas A&M University, UnitedHealth Group, Via Christi Health and Wells Fargo Bank.

Where do you live? Over the past week we have seen job postings on the BDPA Job Board – www.ITDiversityCareers.com – in the following 14 states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Texas.

Don’t miss your chance to find a career opportunity that has been created just for your unique skill set. Upload your current resume and allow the new BDPA Job Board – www.ITDiversityCareers.com – to match you with your perfect job! We have 468 current jobs posted today! Share this information with any IT professionals that you know who are unemployed or under-employed. Sign up today to learn more: www.ITDiversityCareers.com

We also want you to consider being a workshop presenter at the 35th annual BDPA Technology Conference on August 14-17, 2013 in Washington DC.

www.slideshare.net/BDPAFoundation/2013-bdpa-conference-call-for-presenters

BDPA is going to have the largest gathering of African American IT professionals on the North American continent next year and we want you to be there! Get your Django on … plan to join BDPA next year in Washington DC!

BDPA exists to advance the careers of African Americans and others in the IT industry from the classroom to the boardroom. Your action is simple – (a) upload your resume to our new BDPA Job Board and (b) save the date for next year’s conference! Feel free to reach out to BDPA by phone (301.584-3135) or email (careers@bdpa.org) if you have questions or wish to discuss further!

Message From BDPA Washington DC Chapter President

Happy Holidays from BDPA Washington DC Chapter

Greetings!

Our Chapter wishes you every happiness this Holiday Season and good health in the New Year.

Perry Carter

Thank you very much for supporting our cause within your community. We look forward to growing our relationships in 2013 as the chapter celebrates its 35th Anniversary.

All the best to you and your family,

Perry Carter, president
BDPA Washington, D.C. | BDPA-DC

Message From BDPA Atlanta Chapter President

Happy Holidays from BDPA Atlanta Chapter

2012 Year in Review

Felicia Jones

As 2012 winds down, it’s time to sit back and reflect upon the great and many accomplishments of the BDPA Atlanta Chapter. Our primary focus for 2012 was ‘Building and Growing a Stronger BDPA’. The leadership team placed a very strong emphasis on providing career enhancing programs to our members and the community. We were committed to developing them with technical skills, business-savvy, and personal growth. In this one year timeframe, we

• Hosted our 3rd Annual Career Fair – The event offered resume makeovers, mock interviews, one on one career coaching and a Critical Success workshop.
• Created 4 new programs:
1. Tech Talk Webinar Series – Bi-monthly webinar series which were informational and educational. The webinars were on the latest IT trends, topics and what’s affecting the IT community.
2. Success Alliance - A professional development support program which helped the individual to define and set their career, business or academic goals
3. College Liaison Program (CLP) - We expanded our mentoring programs to the college level. Through a partnership with DeVry University, our CLP mentored computer science students for future success.
4. Learn by Doing (LBD) - Learning and gaining valuable IT experience by volunteering and participating on a live technical project.
• Provided 6 timely and meaningful presentations on the latest IT topics and trends.
• Provided 16 webinars; topics varied from technical to professional development to career advice and selling IT.
• Hosted the First Annual Black IT Executive Forum - The event focused on senior African American IT professionals (CIOs, Senior VPs, and Group VPs) who served as mentors and inspirations.

We launched our 2012 Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) / High School Computer Competition (HSCC) program in January. We trained 15 high school students in HTML, SQL, CSS, MySQL, PHP, Eclipse IDE, project management, oral presentation skills, and teamwork. This year, our students were not only the South Regional Champions, but also, for the first time in 27 years of the HSCC competition, the National Champions! Our students also made history by becoming the first team ever to receive a perfect programming score.

We gave back to the community through various community outreach events and programs. We volunteered at the Norcross Community Co-op Food Bank where we stocked shelves and racks with donated food, clothing and household supplies. We held a back-to-school supplies and canned food drive for The Bridge Builders & Norcross Co-op organizations. Our outreach in the community continued when we got “down and dirty" at the Atlanta Community Food Bank’s community garden and just two weeks ago, we partnered with the North Fulton Community Charities to adopt a family of four for the holidays.

With the generosity and support of sponsors, BDPA members and the community, we were able to uphold our focus of ‘Building and Growing a Stronger BDPA’ in the Atlanta area and we are counting on your support, AGAIN, in 2013!

Wishing You and Your Family a Happy and Safe Holiday!

Felicia Jones, president
BDPA Atlanta Chapter

Dell Discounts for BDPA Members (Jan 2013)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation is very happy to bring this tangible member benefit to BDPA members around the nation. Great offers from Dell are available thru the Member Purchase Program.

How to shop:

• Enroll at [Advantage URL] to access great additional benefits
• Shop online at www.Dell.com/mpp
• Give Dell a call at 888-243-9964 and reference Member ID: CS127235942

Dell Member Purchase Program: BDPA (Jan 2013) from Wayne Hicks

Dell is highlighting its new products with “touch” capabilities. Our understanding is that the first 500 BDPA members (beginning 12/27) to purchase though the Member Purchase Program (MPP) will get an additional 10% off any PC by using Coupon Code: CRJBN3G3$?DCT$.

Secondly, we understand that BDPA members can double your rewards with Dell Advantage. Members that register for Dell Advantage can earn 10% back on a Dell promo eGift Card and free 2nd day shipping on any purchase until Jan 16th. After that it will return to the normal 5% back.

Also, MPP will be conducting a Clearance Event: Jan 3-7, 2013 – Simply log into the MPP website or call in during that time for more info regarding products and pricing.

Finally, the Quickly Decreasing Discount promotion will run Jan 14-16, 2013.

Message From BDPA Los Angeles Chapter President

John Malonson

BDPA Los Angeles celebrated the year with friends and family at Truxton's American Bistro on December 15, 2012.

As president of the Los Angeles Chapter, it was my sincere pleasure opening the event and welcoming everyone as we celebrated a fantastic year. Our 2012 High School Computer Competition (HSCC) team placed 3rd out of 45 potential teams nationwide. Our chapter forged a partnership with Blacks in Technology (Los Angeles) online community. Also we had the pleasure of BETF executive director Wayne Hicks and his lovely mother, BDPA Los Angeles chapter past president Liz Hicks grace us with their presence for the second year in a row.

This year's event was more informal and low-key than past affairs. For example, our keynote speaker (Wayne) shared his message without a podium or microphone; however, he was more than open to the challenge!

Speaking from the top of his head and heart, Wayne re-affirmed to our audience all the good that BDPA does for our community as a national entity and the importance of an organization like ours. Since our event took place the day after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Wayne challenged the "how could it happen here?" mentality shared by many in the media. Horrific events should not be enhanced or limited by geography. We must be mindful that an injustice anywhere is an injustice. As we grieved as a nation, we were reminded just how precious and fleeting life can be. However, we must actively combat apathy for the senseless lives lost everyday that don't make it to the news or happen all at once. Wayne imparted that each of us has the responsibility to be good to others and to make a positive impact on lives, especially our youth, wherever we go.

L-R: Temitope, Akindele, Steven, Steven, Pooja, Justice, John, Trayer and John

Our award recipients this year were:

• 2012 National HSCC Team - Pooja Chebolu (California Academy of Math and Science), Akindele Davies (California Academy of Math and Science), Trayer Harvey (California Academy of Math and Science), John Isaacs (Santa Monica Community College) and Justice Mozell-Guy (Niles West HS)

• BDPA Los Angeles Leadership Team - Beverly Allen (California Institute of California), Ogie Banks (Self-Employed, Karen Breau (California Institute of Technology), Wandia Chiuri (Reaction Power), David Malonson (The Westfield Group), Temitope Sonuyi (Self-Employed) and Kirk Williams (KW3 Consulting)

• YTC Spirit Award - Steven Moreno (Wilson Classical HS)) and Steven Zavala (Wilson Classical HS)

• Community Partners - Dr. Antonia Boadi (CSU Dominguez Hills) and Micah Ali (Compton Unified School District)

• Corporate Sponsors (Corporate Champion) - Sempra Energy (Carolyn Williams) and Raytheon Company (Mel Jackson).
  

In Los Angeles, we look to 2013 as a year with even more promise! If you're interested in learning more about the largest chapter in the West, please contact us at losangeles@bdpa.org

Sincerely,
John C. Malonson III, President
BDPA Los Angeles Chapter

Where Are They Now? BDPA Greater Columbia Chapter Presidents

BDPA Greater Columbia chapter has created quite a legacy for itself since being chartered in 1997. For example, one of the young people trained by the chapter is currently enrolled at Duke University on a $180,000 college scholarship that she won during a national BDPA conference from the United States Navy [SOURCE].

Mildred Allen

The chapter is also a ripe source of national leadership. Two members of the chapter have served as national officers in recent years. Mildred Allen did remarkable work as National BDPA vice president of membership management. The national organization created a new membership database and web portal under her leadership. Paulette Johnson-Davis (BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina) implemented new and improved programs for BDPA in her role as our National BDPA vice president of member services. Both of these women have also been active leaders in past national BDPA technology conferences.

BDPA Greater Columbia is blessed to have some remarkable and visionary women as its past presidents since 1997:

• 1997-1999: Barbara Singleton Code (Strayer University)
• 2000-2001, 2006-2009: Paulette Johnson-Davis (BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina)
• 2002-2003, 2012-2013: Mildred Allen (SCANA)
• 2004-2005: Tonya Dorsey (BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina)
• 2010-2011: Phyllis Coleman (BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina)

My joy with the chapter has been its commitment to the education and mentorship of young people. Scores of students have been trained by BDPA Greater Columbia in the past few years ... in fact, the chapter hosted a regional conference with participation from students in Atlanta, Charlotte and elsewhere.

Our hope is that BDPA Greater Columbia chapter will continue to evolve as a beacon of light for all of us in the information technology industry over the years to come. You can do your part -- please make a secure online donation towards college scholarships for BDPA Greater Columbia students.

6th Annual Blogging While Brown Conference, June 21-22, 2013 (New York City)

The 6th Annual Blogging While Brown Conference will be in New York City, June 21-22, 2013.

Registration for the conference opens January 1, 2013.

If you would like to be a speaker at the conference, the Call for Ideas will open on January 15th and will likely close on February 1st.

Conference Location: Conference keynotes, workshops and panels will take place at The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

515 Malcolm X Boulevard
New York, NY 10037-1801
Tentative Conference Schedule: The pre-conference business of blogging session will open on Friday morning and end on Friday afternoon. Blogging While Brown events will begin Friday evening and go all day on Saturday. Typically, there is an informal Sunday brunch for people waiting to catch their flights home. There will likely be informal social events on Thursday evening as well.

Blacks In Technology Launches BIT Tech Digest

Blacks In Technology recently announced the launch of its new website -- BIT Tech Digest. BIT Tech Digest is the first online technology driven publication featuring articles written entirely by minority technology experts. The new site reflects Blacks In Technology’s continued effort and mission to increase the visibility of the Black technologist by establishing effective communication among Black people in the field to help drive individual growth, development and long-term success in the technology industry.

Greg Greenlee

The BIT Tech Digest features content focused on a variety of technology topics including networking, virtualization, software design and development and professional advancement. The BIT Tech Digest will also highlight technology news and information about today’s minority tech entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations.

Greg Greenlee, founder of the Blacks In Technology community site and the BIT Tech Digest, believes the site will change the perception of how today’s engineers and technologists are visualized by providing an outlet for Blacks and other minority technology professionals and enthusiasts to share their expertise and experience.

BIT Tech Digest was launched as a live Google+ hangout. You can view the recorded event here: BIT Tech Digest Live Launch Event.



You can follow BIT Tech Digest on Twitter: @BITTechDigest

If you’d like more information about the BIT Tech Digest or are interested in sharing your knowledge with the community please contact Greg at info@bitdigest.net.

Where Are They Now: 2000 BDPA Cincinnati HSCC Team

L-R: Raven Chambers, Stephanie Ross, Jarelle Marshall, Mike Sutherland (volunteer coach provided by Procter & Gamble), Brandon Berry and Terris Poole.


This is a photo of the team trained by BDPA Cincinnati chapter in 2000. These youngsters (and their coach) came close to winning the national championship that year ... before settling for the silver medal.

The question for you is simple! Use the COMMENTS option below to tell us WHERE THEY ARE NOW! For extra credit ... which chapter won the 2000 national HSCC championship?

OURstory: Michael Anderson, NASA African American Astronaut

OURstory must be shared at all times of the year, not just in February. I think it is important that our young people challenge themselves in K-12 with science and math classes. Perhaps it will help if this blog shares examples of African American role models who used their knowledge of science and math to create exciting futures for themselves.

For example, Did you know that a young brother named Michael Anderson was born December 25, 1959, in Plattsburgh, New York. He graduated from Cheney High School in Cheney, Washington in 1977. He received a bachelor of science degree in physics/astronomy from University of Washington in 1981. Later he earned a master of science degree in physics from Creighton University.

He successfully got a job with NASA in December 1994. Anderson flew for over 593 hours in space. One of his spaces flight was in January 1988 on the Shuttle Endeavor.

His last flight was in 2003. Anderson was part of a 7-member shuttle mission launched by NASA on January 16, 2003. Space Shuttle Columbia was on a 16-day mission to research microgravity and other Earth science related experiments.

The seven member crew, David Brown, Laurel Clark, Michael Anderson, Ilan Ramon, Rick Husband, Kalpana Chawla and William McCool died on February 1, 2003 when Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart during reentry.

It was later determined that a piece of foam broke free and struck the shuttles wing during launch, damaging the thermal heat tiles which protect the shuttle from extreme temperatures during reentry into the atmosphere.

Michael Anderson was a hero. He was a role model for all of us. May he rest in peace.

Message from BDPA Atlanta Chapter President

As we all know in sports, the 4th Quarter is the last and most crucial time of the game; if you haven't brought it by now, you better step up your game or if you are barely ahead of the competition, you gotta stay in it, to win it. Read more »

Careers Don't Just Happen By Accident
While the terms "job" and "career" are often used to mean the same thing, they really are conceptually very different. If you work a part-time job in your youth in order to have extra spending money, it isn't likely you'd refer to it as a career. Why? Read more »

Critical Thinking on the Job
Today we find many people talking about critical thinking, or the lack of critical thinking. In truth, far too many people don't understand what critical thinking is. Read more »

What Time It It? It's H.S.C.C. Time!
What time is it? HSCC time! What time is? HSCC time! What are going to do again this year? Win! What are we going to do again this year? Win, Win, Win, Win, Win! Read more »

Sincerely,
Felicia Jones, president
BDPA Atlanta Chapter

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:

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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.

BDPA Atlanta Chapter Board of Directors (2013)

I tend to believe that BDPA Atlanta is a frontrunner for the 'Chapter of the Year' award that will be given out on August 17, 2013 in Washington DC. If it happens then it will be the result of some remarkable volunteer leaders. Please share some love with the 2013 BDPA Atlanta chapter board of directors!

• President: Felicia Jones (Macy's Inc.)
• VP, Business Management: Derrick Brown (Macy's Inc.)
• VP, Marketing and Public Relations: Sharnecia Williams (Macy's Inc.)
• VP, Education and Professional Development: Jacqueline Sanders (Quintiles)
• VP, Technology: Alphonse Porter (Lockheed Martin)
• Director, Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship: Josephine Reed (Evans Technology)

Please share some love with the 2013 BDPA Atlanta chapter leadership team. Heck, support the chapter by making a secure online donation towards a college scholarship for next year's HSCC team. Doable?

BDPA Awards Epsilon Awards to Individuals and Names Top Company for Blacks in Technology

Since its inception in 1975, BDPA has been promoting and advancing the interest and careers of African Americans in the field of Computer Science and Information Technology. BDPA has cultivated and sustained mutually beneficial partnerships with public, private and government entities that employ our members or support our on-going efforts to be a powerful advocate for our stakeholders' interests within the global technology industry.

In 2012, National BDPA recognized a number of companies and individuals who personify excellence, demonstrate a commitment to people and understand that fostering a culture of diversity has bottom line business value.

Dr. Craig Brown (BDPA), Walter Joppy (JnJ), TBD (JnJ), Regan Scrugs (JnJ) and Monique Berry (BDPA)

The Corporate Epsilon and Top Company for Blacks in Technology Awards recognize companies who are role models in terms of tenure/promotions, training, retention, supplier diversity and community outreach. During its 2012 BDPA Technology Conference, National BDPA recognized Johnson & Johnson as the Top Company for Blacks in Technology.

Other finalists for the top company award included: Health Care Service Corporation, Hewlett Packard, Intel, Merck, Walmart, WellPoint and Wells Fargo.

Clark and Thrower

Individual Epsilon awards are bestowed upon individuals nominated in one of the following categories: Most Promising Technologist, Professional Achievement, Career Achievement, or Community Service.

The following individuals were recognized during the 2012 BDPA Technology Conference: Most Promising Technologist, Rashsaan Alston; Career Achievement, Julius Clark and Gwendolyn Davis; Professional Achievement, Susan Barker and Baron Thrower; and Community Service, William Holdipp, Jr.

The 2013 Epsilon Awards program cycle begins soon. Listed below are the key dates.

• Applications Available - January 7, 2013
• Nomination deadline - May 3, 2013
• Epsilon Awards announced - June 7, 2013
• Top Company For Blacks In Technology awarded - August 17, 2013

If you have any questions regarding the 2013 Epsilon Award program or would like an application package, please feel free to contact Jesse Mathews at epsilon-awards@bdpa.org.

Eli Lilly and Company Becomes BDPA Gold Level Corporate Sponsor

The world’s 10th largest pharmaceutical company is not only committed to creating life-saving medicines, but Eli Lilly and Company is also dedicated to 21st century IT industry leaders like BDPA. Lilly recently confirmed its $50,000 Gold Level Corporate sponsorship for the 2013 National BDPA Conference & Career Fair. This sponsorship also included a renewal of the Eli Lilly Scholarships for BDPA Students through 2015.

“Lilly has been a BDPA partner since 2004 and its generous gift will enable our organization to enhance the tone, culture, and spirit of the Indianapolis chapter, while providing local children with computer and personal skills instruction that will help them achieve their dreams of careers in STEM related fields,” said Monique Berry, BDPA’s National President.

For over 135 years, Lilly has led in research innovation, medicines, philanthropic responsibility and community involvement. Forbes magazine ranked the company as one of the top philanthropic donors in America.

BDPA stands as a global member-focused technology organization with over 45 active chapters in the United States that are committed to delivering 21st century technological programs, education, mentoring, support, and services for world class IT professionals. Lilly’s $50,000 gold level corporate sponsorship further advances BDPA’s STEM goals and services for the community.

“We are committed to supporting programs that provide opportunities for young people to explore and enhance their careers in science and technology. Education is so vital in creating the professionals who will contribute to the discovery of innovative medicines of the future,” said Janice Chavers, Director, HR and Diversity Communications, Lilly.

Dell Offers Member Purchase Program Deals for BDPA

It's hard to believe it is already December! One of the benefits of BDPA membership is the deep discounts that we get from Dell. Attached is our last discount flyer for 2012. This month Dell features the best price on its new tablet/convertible line up for you and your employees. You can also find a terrific discount on our All in One Desktop.

Days of Deals will be running through 12/10. This is an excellent opportunity for any employees looking to make some purchases for the holidays to take advantage of aggressively discounted products!

Dell Member Purchase Program: BDPA (Dec 2012) from Wayne Hicks

How to shop:

1. Enroll at www.dell.com/mpp/Advantage to access great additional benefits
2. Shop online at www.Dell.com/mpp
3. Give us a call at 888-243-9964 and reference Member ID: CS127235942

With the Holidays right around the corner, please continue to let BDPA know what we can do to best communicate these offers out to your employees! Thank you again for the support of all BDPA member benefits!

Institute for Responsible Citizenship - Now Accepting Applications

The Institute for Responsible Citizenship is now accepting applications for its two programs. The Washington "core" program welcomes twelve (12) of America’s best and brightest African American male sophomores to Washington for an intensive two-summer experience that includes high-level internships, rigorous academic work, and exposure to some of the nation’s most prominent institutions and individuals.

The Youth Scholar Academy enables talented college students who aspire to careers in teaching to operate a summer enrichment program for high school boys. High-achieving college sophomores are encouraged to apply.

The application deadline is Friday, February 8, 2013.

Message from BDPA Corporate Sponsor (GEICO)

BDPA is very excited that over 100 corporations have invested in its programs, scholarships and services. Corporations support the BDPA mission to advance the careers of African Americans in the information technology industry from the classroom to the boardroom. These corporate sponsors see a tangible return on investment when it comes to recruitment, retention, community outreach, supplier diversity and market share.

It always helps when BDPA members become corporate champions. For example, past National BDPA executive director Midge Johnson attended the 2012 Dignitaries Reception held during the recent annual BDPA Technology Conference in Baltimore MD. She was enthusiastic by what she saw ... and she took the story back to her employer, GEICO. A few weeks later GEICO agreed to recruit diverse talent at our annual BDPA Career Fair that will take place August 14-17, 2013 in Washington DC as well as co-sponsor the 11th annual BDPA IT Showcase!

Earl Pace (BDPA founder), Midge Johnson (GEICO), Wayne Hicks (BETF executive director)

Midge shared her reflections on the process with us:

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"I attended the 2012 National BDPA Technology Conference in Baltimore earlier this year. As I walked through the Career Fair, I noticed several insurance companies recruiting diverse IT talent at the Career Fair. I also noticed that GEICO’s name, the company that I work for, was nowhere to be seen anywhere. At that point, I decided that it was on me to ensure that GEICO is represented at future National BDPA Technology Conferences with a continuing local presence. I literally took the program from this year’s VIP Reception, which included the names of three of our insurance competitors, to the GEICO Corporate Community Citizens president. I showed her that GEICO needed a presence with and in BDPA and I would take the blame for not really championing them.

Earlier this year, as a the co-chair of the Black History Month Celebration at GEICO, I invited Earl Pace, Jr. to be the opening celebration keynote speaker. Our focus was not to relive the past but to emphasize our accomplishments and contributions to this country as a people. Everyone including the GEICO chief executive officer was very impressed with his presentation which made an unforgettable impression on the powers that be. Because of Mr. Pace, I strongly believe that they were open to my approaching them after the National Conference in Baltimore to become a BDPA Sponsor."

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There are many sponsorship opportunities for Corporate America to consider as it looks to support BDPA programs, scholarships and services. If you think that your company or your employer might be interested ... please reach out to us by replying to the post ... or by email (corpsales@bdpa.org).

MathMovesU Middle School Grant and Scholarship Program

Raytheon Company is calling for submissions to its MathMovesU Middle School Grant and Scholarship Program. To participate, sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students nationwide are invited to illustrate the importance of math in the mission to Mars and in space exploration.

Student submissions will be evaluated on creativity, originality, time commitment and the use of math equations to demonstrate an enthusiasm for math and space exploration. Up to 150 students will be awarded $1,000 scholarships to be used for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) camp programs or college. In addition, the students' schools will receive matching grants of $1,000 to be used for math-related programs.

"Raytheon seeks to broaden interest and engagement in math by encouraging students to think about how math is integrated in the world around them," said Pamela Erickson, Raytheon's vice president of Community Relations. "When students consider the important role that math plays in exciting challenges – like the mission to Mars – they expand their horizons, literally and figuratively. We are eager to see the ideas that come to life in the students' submissions."

Applications will be accepted through Feb. 8, 2013. For more information about the MathMovesU Middle School Grant and Scholarship Program, including eligibility and submission requirements, please visit www.mathmovesu.com.

'Leading in the C-Suite: Answering the Call to Service' (BDPA Chicago)

BDPA Chicago chapter has been the largest chapter in the nation for 67 straight months. The sustained excellence of this Midwest region chapter is a result of the focus that is placed on delivering tangible programs that have value for its members. For example, BDPA Chicago hosts an annual Chief Information Officer (CIO) Reception. This is an event that brings together some of the top executives in the industry to share insights with local chapter members.

The 2012 BDPA CIO Reception held on November 1st at McDonald's Hamburger University in Oabkrook, Illinois continued that tradition of excellence. Technology executives from across the metro Chicago area gathered to learn and network with the IT professionals of BDPA Chicago chapter.

Daphne Jones, CIO of Hospira was the moderator of a star-studded panel. Panelists included:

• Julianna Cole - Senior Vice President and CIO of YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
• Susan Malisch - Vice President and CIO for Loyola University Chicago
• Denise Wong - VP of Information Technology of Walgreens
• Christine Atkins - Senior Vice President of Information Technology of Ahold

Did you notice that the entire panel is made up of female executives? That is how BDPA rolls my friends! Anyhow, the theme of the event was: 'Leading to the C-Suite: Answering the Call to Create Value'.

Click here to view photos: 2012 CIO Reception Photos

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.

CSEdWeek Twitter Conversation Information

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation encourages all of our donors, supporters and blog-readers to take part in a 45-minute national conversation on the critical issue of K-12 Computer Science education via Twitter. This unique Twitter conversation takes place on Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at 6:00pm ET as part of Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek).

A national panel of thought leaders in the field will be tweeting with the hashtag #CSEdWeek, driving conversation around important issues and answering questions. Participants will include technical professionals, industry thought leaders, faculty, K12 educators, students and more!

Computer science fuels the future—help us fuel the conversation.  We need to 'win the future' in the information technology industry ... and computer science education is a part of the winning solution. You can learn more at http://csedweek.eventbrite.com

Computer Science Education Week (Dec 9-15, 2012)

Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) (December 9-15, 2012) is a week-long celebration when thousands of people celebrate computer science education. The week focuses on the need to build strong computer science education programs in schools to ensure that the nation has the skilled workforce it will need to develop future solutions. CSEdWeek is held each year during the second week in December in honor of Grace Murray Hopper, an outstanding pioneer in computer science, who was born on December 9, 1906.

Getting involved is easy and fun! You can do something small in your home, coordinate with a youth organization or partner with a local business to create a community-wide event, among many other ideas. Are you wondering where to start and how to plan it? CSEdWeek has a toolkit to help you organize an event that fits your needs.

Wordless Wednesday: BDPA Leaders Gather for 2011 Awards Banquet in Washington DC

  SOURCE:  BDPA Foundation Flickr Photostream

Message from BDPA Richmond Chapter President

GENERAL CHAPTER UPDATE AND NEWS

Christopher Parker

We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! One huge thing that we are thankful for is the return home of James Byrd this Saturday, 11/24. While James was in the hospital, the National BDPA vice president Dr. Craig Brown, sent flowers on behalf of BDPA, and the Richmond Chapter delivered a card and reading materials. James was visited by current and prior members, and we are all happy that he is doing much better!

The joint BDPA and NSBE LEGO robotics team competed at the Virginia FIRST LEGO League Qualifier at L.C. Bird High School on 11/3. The kids and trainers did a great job, and we look forward to the bright future that lies ahead for our youth due to programs like LEGO robotics that prepare our youth to be competitive in technology at an early age.

EVENTS

It's that time of year again! Richmond Leadership Network (RLN) Annual Holiday Party 2012 on Thursday, December 13, 2012 at the Omni Richmond (Downtown) Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23219 7PM - 11PM. Business Professional/Coctail Attire. Come join the RLN and BDPA for the traditional RLN Holiday Party. Advance ticket price $20, At the door $25.

As a member of RLN, BDPA is providing 10 free tickets to current members and those who have volunteered this year. If you would like a ticket, please send an email to president@bdparichmond.org by December 7th.

To purchase other tickets, go to http://rln2012holidayparty.eventbrite.com

WHAT'S NEXT?

After filling two key executive board member positions (VP of Communications and VP of Strategy), we will be holding an Executive Board meeting in December to plan for a chapter strategy session at the beginning of the year that will be open to all current members, past members, volunteers, and those interested in becoming a part of the chapter. We were not able to bring in the I.T. Risk Management and Security expert in Q3 to talk to the VSU college chapter and Richmond I.T. professionals. A key to allowing his company to fund the travel depended on our ability to coordinate with the students, and we could not complete the necessary logistics and align schedules. We hope to reserve this topic again for next year. The website project team is gathering content as we prepare to redesign our site for 2013.

Please listen to my BDPA iRadio Show interview that took place on November 27th.

Sincerely,
Christopher Parker, president
BDPA Richmond Chapter

BDPA iRadio Show: November 27, 2012

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) is very proud to be the creator of the BDPA iRadio Show. The show on November 27th was our 39th episode of the our Internet Radio Show that began last summer. You can listen to the archive version of the show using the widget shown in the right-hand sidebar of this blog. FREE download from the iTunes Store is also available for our listeners!

Listen to internet radio with BDPA on Blog Talk Radio

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The guests on the November 27th show:

 Ruthe Farmer - Director of Strategic Initiatives, National Center for Women in IT - Ruthe is a nationally-known expert on the issues impacting women in the IT industry. She is NCWIT director of strategic initiatives … which is a major player in the annual Computer Science Education Week that takes place next month. Finally, Ruthe was instrumental in arranging for NCWIT to host a corporate reception at the 2013 BDPA Technology Conference in Washington DC. This reception will honor successful women in IT … particularly women of color. We look forward to hearing Ruthe's insights on the BDPA iRadio Show. Her twitter handle is @ruthef  

Chad White - Vice President of Membership Management, National BDPA - Chad serves as the national vice president of membership management. His business area is responsible for recruitment and retention of members into BDPA on a national level. He ensures that our suite of membership benefits is powerful enough to attract IT professionals from across the nation to support BDPA programs, scholarships and services. Chad works for Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC). HCSC has won many BDPA accolades for its extraordinary corporate sponsorship on a local and national level. He can share some of the reasons that HCSC is such a good corporate sponsor for BDPA. We look forward to hearing what he has to say on the BDPA iRadio Show. His twitter handle is @NationalBDPA

Christopher Parker - Chapter President, BDPA Richmond - Christopher Parker is president of one of the most active BDPA chapters in the nation. His chapter has a legacy for educational programs that impact on the lives of K-12 students including ambitious robotics programs for elementary and middle-school students. On an individual level Christopher is one of the most generous donors to the BDPA Education and Technology Foundation in 2012. We look forward to hearing his story on the BDPA iRadio Show. The BDPA twitter handle is @NationalBDPA

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We hope you enjoy the insights and commentary on the show from each of these guests. Please take a moment to post a comment to let us know that you care!