Grant Declination * Texas Instruments Foundation (Houston)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) and BDPA Houston chapter learned that our $7,500 grant proposal was declined by the Texas Instruments Foundation. We were seeking funds for the 2016 Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program being implemented this year by the chapter.

The declination letter read as follows:

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Wayne

Thank you for submitting your proposal to Texas Instruments. We enjoyed learning about your organization and your work. While we appreciate the value and importance of your mission, we regret that we are unable to fund your request for support at this time.

We would like to respond affirmatively to all requests, however, we receive far more proposals than can possibly be supported. We appreciate the thought and time that went into the development of your application, and we wish you success in accomplishing your program goals.

Sincerely,
Andy Smith, Executive Director
Texas Instruments Foundation

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BETF will continue to seek out funds for our BDPA Houston chapter!

BDPA in Partnership with Professional Diversity Network

The Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) together with Professional Diversity Network (PDN), have partnered to create BDPA Hired. BDPA Hired is a STEM recruiting program that sources BDPA membership, candidates registered at ITDiversityCareers.com, Professional Diversity Network and other partner sites. BDPA Hired is available to BDPA sponsors and other employers interested in sourcing IT, and other candidates. 

“The BDPA Hired service addresses the needs of both our members and sponsors. Making the right career connection is important to our overall initiatives and something our employer sponsors have asked about many times" said BDPA President Mike Williams. “We like this innovation and working with Professional Diversity Network will assure our sponsors of the best possible service."

BDPA Hired will source candidates based on expertise and location. It is different because BDPA Hired goes out and finds the talent and matches based on the employers must have qualifications. The program is designed to reach both passive and active job seekers.

"Professional Diversity Network is excited to support this service for BDPA members and sponsors. We have been successfully souring candidates for all professional areas and adding the BDPA membership and our access to candidates registered at the BDPA career portal ITDiversityCareers and our other partners should make BDPA Hired a valued services for all.” said PDN executive vice president Russell Esquivel.

About PDN
Professional Diversity Network develops and operates online networks tailored to provide diverse professionals in the US with access to employment opportunities. PDN’s platform supports employers that value diversity in identifying and acquiring diverse talent, and facilitating EEO-OFCCP compliance. PDN currently has over 1.5 million monthly visitors and partners with organizations like BDPA, NAACP, NAPW, ALPFA, VetJobs and many more.

About BDPA
Founded in 1975, BDPA is the premier organization for African American professionals in the information technology industry. BDPA has fulfilled its mission and worked to bridge the digital divide by providing career growth opportunities for its members

Redesigned BDPA Job Board - www.ITDiversityCareers.com

Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) the premier African American professional IT organization has launched a new state-of-the-art jobs/networking platform - www.ITDiversityCareers.com. The new site will provide career opportunities for BDPA members and is open to all IT professionals. Employers may post jobs at www.ITDiversityCareers.com to target IT/STEM candidates nationwide. Technology is being provided by Professional Diversity Network (PDN) the nation’s leading partner of diverse communities and job matching technology.

“We are excited to offer this new resource to our members, sponsors and all minorities. Advancing careers in technology and promoting opportunities for minorities remains our top initiative. BDPA remains committed to excellence and providing a wide spectrum of resources to its members, corporate sponsors, businesses, educational institutions and the African American community." says Mike Williams, BDPA President.

Members and sponsors are encouraged to visit ITDiversityCareers.com to register and use the job matching resources. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact BDPA Corporate Sales Team by email at corpsales@bdpa.org.

Founded in 1975, BDPA now has 47 chapters, making it the largest African American Information Technology Association in the country. The organization is a catalyst for professional growth and technical development for those in IT and continues to bridge the digital divide by providing training and career growth opportunities for its members.

Alex Marcellus Uses Monsanto Scholarship at Purdue University

Monsanto is a powerful BDPA sponsor. They announced four college scholarships at the 2015 National BDPA Technology Conference held in Washington DC. One of the winning scholars is Alex Marcellus, a student member of our BDPA Cincinnati chapter. He plans to use his Monsanto Scholarship at Purdue University as he studies computer engineering.

We asked Alex to share his insights on the scholarship.

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Alexander Marcellus

"I am a junior studying Computer Engineering at Purdue University. I was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and have lived there all of my life. I am currently majoring in Computer Engineering with a minor in Statistics. I am very grateful to have received the Monsanto Scholarship for BDPA Students as it allows me to pursue my educational goals at a university renowned for both its research and its connections to industry. I plan to spend my career giving back to the communities that have made my educational success possible, especially the agricultural industry as it faces unprecedented technological opportunity through this century and beyond.

BDPA has set an example to me of the difference that Computer Science and Information Technology professionals can make in a rapidly changing global marketplace. The opportunities that BDPA offer to youth, including their youth camps and scholarships, are trend setting and one of the most powerful tools that we have to combat the STEM deficiency that is currently impacting America’s productivity and global competitiveness. I was first involved in BDPA through the BDPA Scholarship program. I have always been passionate about using data analysis to drive better business outcomes, and agriculture is one of the industrial verticals where these business benefits can be most clearly realized. As a strong Monsanto partner, BDPA can help provide the technically skilled workforce needed to implement the technologies and information systems to make these dreams a reality. I am truly grateful to the BDPA for giving me the opportunity to further my studies of engineering, mathematics, and computing at Purdue University and plan to stay involved with the organization in the future.

I have had two internships during my time at Purdue. The first internship has been with GE Aviation working on software packages to validate models of airplane software and hardware connections. My second internship last summer was with Intel Corporation, where I was working on developing web applications to improve communication and collaboration across the country."

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This is the second year that Alex won the Monsanto Scholarship. We are very proud of the work that Alex is doing at Purdue.

Cerner Corporation Disapproved our Grant Proposal

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) and BDPA Kansas City (president, William Wells) learned that our $25,000 grant proposal has been disapproved by the community affairs folks at Cerner Corporation.

The disapproval letter read:

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Thank you for thinking of Cerner Corporation as a sponsor for the Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) Program. We think it’s a great program and applaud your work in the community.

With healthy communities at the foundation of our vision, Cerner believes in corporate citizenship. In keeping with our overall mission and entrepreneurial spirit, we focus our community investments on three important objectives: Health and Wellness focused on condition management; STEM Education; and economic development emphasizing life sciences.

In addition, Cerner primarily sponsors its internal philanthropic organization, the First Hand Foundation who provides direct medical funding for children when all other resources have been exhausted. Through this relationship we are limited in our ability to support other philanthropic organizations given our commitment to First Hand.

Your organization’s proposal is certainly valuable. However, because this request does not directly fit into Cerner’s core community philosophy, we are unable to participate at this time.

Please let me know if you have any questions. I wish you and your team the best of luck.

Liz Ginther
Community Relations
Cerner Corporation

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We will continue to work with BDPA Kansas City chapter to obtain funding for the upcoming SITES program!

Chelsea Carter Earns 2015 Lilly Scholarship for BDPA Students

Chelsea Carter

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) worked closely with Eli Lilly & Company to confirm Chelsea Carter as a winner of the 9th annual Eli Lilly & Company Scholarship for BDPA students. Chelsea is a wonderful person to win this prestigious scholarship.

Carter is a graduating senior of North Farmington High School who currently attends Kettering University in Flint, MI. Her goal is to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in computer engineering and double minor in business and data security. After graduate school, she plans to establish a non-profit entitled 'Futuristic Innovators'. Students will discover intriguing ways to connect with math and science for real life application.

Chelsea received the 2014 Kettering University Technology Award, which acknowledges high school juniors of high academic achievement in science, technology, engineering, math or business. She was also a participant in the Kettering University's AIM (Academically Interested Minds) Program, a five-week summer program where she ranked academically in the top-tier of participating engineering students. She was selected one of thirty-five from 300 applicants.

She graduated with a 3.54 GPA, was president of the Spanish Club, had membership in twenty other clubs/organizations, three sports, two internships, 800 hours of community service, and seventy awards/commendations. They include: President’s Volunteer Service Award, Governor Rick Snyder - Volunteer Service Award, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow - Outstanding Volunteer Award, House of Representatives - Volunteer Efforts Award, and others.

Congratulations to Chelsea!

MillerCoors Renews Gold Level Sponsorship With BDPA

With a combined brewing heritage of over 450 years, MillerCoors is shaped by its history of strong leadership, innovation and supporting communities.  In that spirit, MillerCoors is proud to announce its Gold Level sponsorship of BDPA.  That people at MillerCoors are its most valuable asset and their impact on the MillerCoors business is visible in each statistic and accomplishment.   

Steve Canal

MillerCoors Community Affairs director Steve Canal said, "We are proud that MillerCoors was selected as the exclusive adult beverage sponsor for National BDPA corporate receptions and events. One of the key value propositions of attending the National BDPA Technology Conference is the opportunity to network with all levels of professionals, from entry-level to C-Level executives."

Founded in 1975, BDPA is the premier organization for African American professionals in the information technology industry.  BDPA has over 40 chapters across the United States and is the largest African American Information Technology Association in the country.  BDPA continues to fulfill its mission and work to bridge the digital divide by providing career growth opportunities for its members.

Mike Williams

“We are delighted that MillerCoors has chosen to continue its partnership with BDPA by renewing its sponsorship level to Gold for 2016,” said National BDPA President Mike Williams. “The BDPA and MillerCoors partnership has been a long and mutually beneficial one.”

To become a BDPA partner or sponsor like MillerCoors or to learn more about the BDPA Technology Conference in Atlanta as well as sponsorship opportunities, please contact BDPA Corporate Sales Team by email at corpsales@bdpa.org or (301) 584-3135 x108.

Johnson & Johnson Renews Its BDPA Sponsorship at the Gold Level

The long-term investment into BDPA by Johnson & Johnson has been ongoing for well over a decade. It continues into 2016 as Johnson & Johnson renewed its Gold Level corporate sponsorship of the 38th Annual BDPA Technology Conference in Atlanta GA. Johnson & Johnson believes in the BDPA mission of advancing the careers of African Americans in the information technology industry ‘from the classroom to the boardroom’.

Mike Williams

"BDPA is delighted that Johnson & Johnson continues to invest in our mission and our programs that support STEM learning and digital thought leadership preparedness for diverse students and professionals," said National BDPA president Mike Williams. "Johnson & Johnson has been a valued sponsor and partner for many years and we look forward to working with them again in 2016."

Johnson & Johnson agreed to underwrite a variety of activities that include the BDPA IT Showcase, college scholarships, career fair, BDPA Job Board participation and an investment in two Northeast region chapters.

Goldie Bonney

"BDPA New Jersey is extremely excited to have Johnson & Johnson as a Gold Level sponsor! We've been fortunate to have their support since 2009 and could not have imagined a better partnership for our chapter and members," said BDPA New Jersey president Goldie Bonney. "We look forward to working with Johnson & Johnson to offer various programs for our members around innovation, other cutting edge technology topics, and continuing our student programs. Our HSCC students had their second highest finish at last year's national conference in Washington, DC coming in 5th place, and we hope they are competitive and place even higher this year in Atlanta!"

Globally recognized at home and abroad as an agent of goodwill for over a billion people, Johnson & Johnson has earned a reputation as a leader in providing innovative ideas as well as products and services -- one person at a time. They are the world’s largest and most diverse medical devices, pharmaceutical and, consumer health care company. BDPA has seen the commitment by Johnson & Johnson to diversity in its workplace, marketplace and its relationships with suppliers.

Founded in 1975, BDPA is the premier organization for African American professionals in the information technology industry. BDPA has fulfilled its mission and worked to bridge the digital divide by providing career growth opportunities for its members.   We encourage other corporations to follow the lead of Johnson & Johnson be reaching out to BDPA by email (corpsales@bdpa.org) or phone!