BDPA Welcome Walgreens Sponsorship Highlighting Diversity and Inclusion

Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Walgreens joined National BDPA as a diversity and inclusion sponsor with its basic corporate sponsorship package by BDPA Job Board (www.ITDiversityCareers.com), corporate memberships and web banner and hosting the Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) held in Chicago. Walgreens is the second-largest American pharmacy store chain in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  A commitment to continuously improving diversity and inclusion has always been part of Walgreens DNA, and these values remain central to their cultural beliefs. By embracing and leveraging the rich diversity of Walgreens’ team members' backgrounds, experiences and insights, Walgreens is uniquely positioned to be the first choice for health and daily living for everyone.

Terry Morris, BDPA newly elected National President stated, "Walgreens and BDPA emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and the commitment to improving our communities. BDPA thanks you for your partnership and your daily assurance that diversity matters."

BDPA was founded in 1975 by Earl Pace and David Wimberly to close the digital divide for underrepresented minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). BDPA has over 40 chapters nationwide with more than 2,500 STEM professional and student members. BDPA offers over $100,000 in scholarships annually to hundreds of high school and college students who wish to pursue STEM careers.

BDPA Chicago President Reggie Rush stated, "Walgreens diversity and inclusion efforts will continue to make room to support the technology community efforts BDPA has for 2018 and beyond!"

For more information on the 2018 National BDPA Technology Conference and Career Fair or a sponsorship, contact BDPA’s corporate sponsorship at (301) 584-3135 ext.108 or corpsales@bdpa.org. Also, please visit www.bdpa.org.

BDPA Commends BlueCross BlueShield of Michigan Bronze-Level Sponsorship

BDPA recently commended #1 ranked BlueCross BlueShield of Michigan (BCBSM) for their bronze-level sponsorship of the 2018 National BDPA Technology Conference and Career Fair to be held August 9-11 in New Orleans, Louisiana. BCBSM has been recognized for their commitment to diversity and inclusion on the DiversityInc Top 11 Regional Company List. The DiversityInc benchmarking survey assesses a company’s performance versus all competitors overall and in four key areas of diversity management – Talent Pipeline, Talent Development, Leadership Accountability and Supplier Diversity. This year, BCBSM is the proud recipient of esteemed recognition and prominent awards related to its Diversity & Inclusion efforts including the 2017 Corporate PACEsetter Award.

“2017 was a banner year for BlueCross BlueShield of Michigan’s Diversity & Inclusion programs. As a result of our initiatives and policies, partnerships across the company, employee and leader engagement, and BlueCross’ Employee Resource Networks in promoting an inclusive culture, BCBSM continues to make great strides in furthering a diverse and inclusive culture. BDPA continues to play a crucial role in developing STEM and IT professionals while providing a healthy pipeline of diverse candidates to address the growing demand for technology professionals,” said Angela Williams, Director of Information Security at Blue Cross BlueShield of Michigan. “BlueCross is proud to support an organization that has been a pioneer in leading the upward success of their members ‘from the classroom to the boardroom'.”

BDPA was founded in 1975 by Earl Pace and David Wimberly to close the digital divide for underrepresented minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). BDPA has over 40 chapters nationwide with more than 2,500 STEM professional and student members. BDPA offers over $100,000 in scholarships annually to hundreds of high school and college students who wish to pursue STEM careers.

Terry Morris, National BDPA President said, "Like BDPA, BlueCross BlueShield of Michigan is concerned with developing opportunities for a diverse and inclusive technology work environment. We thank you for your commitment to the BDPA partnership and your consistent effort to enable opportunities for diverse talent.”

For more information on the 2018 National BDPA Technology Conference or a sponsorship, contact BDPA’s corporate sponsorship at (301) 584-3135 ext.108 or corpsales@bdpa.org.  Also, please visit www.bdpa.org.

2018-2019 National BDPA President is Terry Morris (Eli Lilly and Company)

BDPA is pleased to introduce Terry Morris as the BDPA National President! Terry Morris has been a leader in technology at Eli Lilly and Company and an Indianapolis community servant since arriving nearly 17 years ago. At Lilly, he has been a strong technology advocate and leader in transitional areas such as Next Generation Develop. In addition to his core responsibilities, he has been a champion and leader in the people development and diversity efforts of Information Technology.

Terry, a Florida A&M University graduate, has been very engaged in various civic entities, such as Mt. Zion Apostolic Church where he serves as a trustee and leader for strategy and operations. Terry has been a member of BDPA for a decade, and most recently served as the Indianapolis chapter president (2014-16), helping to raise over $100k for high school and college student scholarship and program sponsorship. Terry has also been helping to transform the Indianapolis community by servicing on the Board of Directors for the Center for Congregations and the IUPUI Informatics Diversity-Enhanced Workforce Advisory Board.

Terry’s plan and vision for BDPA in 2018 are geared to both strengthen and transform BDPA by reshaping the experience of its constituency.



BDPA’s priorities are all about new experiences, growth in our strategic partnerships, and a strengthened operations. These goals can only be accomplished by transforming the way that we engage. Terry’s new endeavors such as tech talks, leadership discussions, and career dialogue on the 2nd and 4th Friday’s of every month do just that. BDPA is excited for the growth and transformation that lie ahead under the leadership of its new National President.

Message from National BDPA President (January 2018)

BDPA’s Future is now present. #BDPAFuture is our national platform and how we will be presenting our 2018 goals: Create New Experiences, Grow Strategic Partnerships, and Build a Stronger Operational Foundation.

Terry Morris

The Digital economy is here and BDPA and its membership will play a key role in how tech is developed around the world. To make this real, we must increase exposure of high tech innovations and real-world applications. We must also empower our membership and friends with the leadership skills and career passion necessary to thrive in this vibrant landscape.

We are introducing BDPA Digital as our capability to articulate the evolution of IT and Business Trends occurring in the Digital Landscape. These trends include Artificial Intelligence, Analytics, Robotic Automation, Wearables, Internet of Things, and Blockchain. These digital trends are built on an IT foundation of Security, User Experience, Operations, and Solution Delivery.

In addition to the BDPA Digital capability, we are launching a new focus on Leadership and Career Development. Many of our members have great skills and knowledge that need to be leveraged to the extreme of their potential. To aid your ability to reach your potential we are creating some focused attention on building your leadership foundation, including communication, influence, political awareness, performance management, etc...In addition, we are bringing a focus on career development to help our members chart and navigate the roadmap of their future whether they have corporate, non-profit, or entrepreneurial aspirations.

Our National Technology Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana on August 9-11. We have also created two new channels to develop and expose our member to the tools and resources they need.

1. Leadership/Career Talks - On the Second Friday of each month from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm we will have leadership skills or career development talk aimed at helping you reach your full potential. This content will also be delivered by a strategic partner or experienced BDPA member.
2. Tech Talks - On the Fourth Friday of each month from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm we will have a tech talk from the High Tech industry or one of our BDPA members with deep experience in one of the BDPA Digital areas of focus.

In addition to what has already been shared, we are launching communities of practice in entrepreneurship, analytics, Security, and others over time. Stay tuned for additional press releases and posting about these new areas of focus.




For your youth and college students, we are looking to build upon the successes of our “Classroom to Boardroom” motto by enriching our current experiences (ie Mobile App Showcase, IT Showcase, HSCC, and YTC) using the BDPA Digital framework. We will be leveraging strategic partners in High Tech and Academia to created a  modern and standardized experienced around the country. We are also reinvesting in our college chapter construct to create more continuity and opportunities for students, schools, and corporations alike.

BDPA is a great organization with a rich and profound legacy. We appreciate the sacrifices, investments, and efforts of our founders (David Wimberly and Earl Pace), previous national and local leadership, sponsorship, and of course the many members and students around the country.

BDPA has been primarily a membership and volunteer-based organization. This construct has made it difficult to always deliver consistently at optimal levels. However, with the increased focus on value to membership and stakeholders, the organization is poised and ready to experience #BDPAFuture now. The time to get engaged and stay engaged with BDPA is NOW!

• If you aren’t a member, JOIN US
• If you are a member, ENGAGE WITH US
• If you are a partner, SUPPORT US

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Click here for a welcome video from National President, Terry Morris.

BDPA Future Campaign * $250,000 by 3/31/2018

For over 40 years BDPA has been committed to the development of the careers of its membership and other interested parties in Information Technology and other IT related fields. Through its work, at no cost, with tens of thousands of students; its professional development programs and the ever-important opportunity for member professionals at all levels to develop the skills necessary to move to the next level on their career path, by learning and practicing those skills well before they become part of their career requirements.

BDPA has been and continues to be committed to its mantra 'From the classroom to the boardroom'! In order to continue and expand its efforts, BDPA needs your assistance.

Through its BDPA Education and Technology Foundation, BDPA has launched a Crowdrise fundraising campaign. We are asking you to participate by visiting https://www.crowdrise.com/BDPAFuture and make a contribution, at whatever level is affordable. No contribution is too large or too small!



BDPA will continue to devote itself to supporting you in your career efforts. Let others know that you appreciate BDPA and believe its efforts should be supported. Thank you for participating with BDPA and look forward to continued and improving programs and opportunities as we move BDPA forward!

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.

Message from BDPA Indianapolis Chapter President

Terry Morris

This year the National BDPA organization celebrated 40 years in Washington, D.C. at our annual technology conference. Over this period, BDPA has been leveraging local chapters across the country to support the professional development of their respective memberships, engage the youth of their community in STEM (Science, Engineering, Technology, and Math) activities, and promote minority interest and exposure to innovative technologies. BDPA Indianapolis is checking all of these boxes and creating others.

One of the primary areas of focus for BDPA Indianapolis has been our youth engagement. Last year our leadership team focused on creating a vision to “empower our youth in a high tech world”.

This year we have made bold steps to realize this vision as seen through our HSCC Accelerator, the HSCC competition team, and the IT Showcase student sponsorship. Each of these examples are discussed in more depth throughout this newsletter. We are currently working with Eli Lilly and the IUPUI School of Informatics to develop and implement a program for elementary age students at the Joyce Kilmer Academy.

As it related to our professional development agenda, we have been having a banner year with great content and excellent attendance. We have continued our focus on SMAC (Social, Mobile, Analytics, and Cloud). Part of our Professional Development strategy is showcasing great technology firms in the Indianapolis area. So far we have visited the likes of Interactive Intelligence, IBM, and Eli Lilly. We have two remaining sessions planned this year where we intend to visit Allegient and Apparatus. They will be discussing “Analytics” and the “Internet of Things (IoT)” respectively.

In addition to our core program delivery, we have had a record number of members (80+) and our local chapter financial sponsorship support has doubled this year.

In short, BDPA Indianapolis is on the move. We are aggressively seeking to make a difference in our community and deliver outcomes for Indianapolis youth and our professionals.

Sincerely,
Terry Morris, president
BDPA Indianapolis Chapter

RYAN Consulting Group Scores Bronze Sponsorship With BDPA

RYAN Consulting Group, one of the fastest growing and most experienced leaders in Business Intelligence Services in America, recently reached the Bronze Level sponsorship for the 36th annual National BDPA Technology Conference that is set for August 5-9, 2014 in Indianapolis. RYAN Consulting Group is the largest Black-owned business to sponsor BDPA programs and services.  Part of the sponsorship funding goes to support operations of our BDPA Indianapolis chapter.

Keith Harding

Keith Harding, president, RYAN Consulting Group stated, "It's been my long-term goal to be a sponsor at the National BDPA Technology Conference. We are elated that we have reached a point where we can fulfill that goal. Without a doubt, this will be the best investment we make in 2014. We look forward to increasing our involvement and sponsorship commitment as RYAN continues to prosper."

RYAN Consulting Group professionals bring decades of diverse expertise in project management, software engineering, IT consulting, data management, financial management requirements, functional analysis and technical training. Projects are designed and managed by highly qualified professional engineers to ensure the most appropriate, cost-effective solution possible. Whether it’s implementing a business intelligence solution, developing a web-based application, or training clients to get the most out of business intelligence tools, their experts work directly with clients from the design phase to beyond the completion of the project to ensure long-term success.

"It is with great honor that we thank RYAN Consulting Group for their commitment, continued support and contribution," said Dr. Craig Brown, president, National BDPA. "It is with the support of sponsors like RYAN Consulting Group that BDPA continues to move forward with our mission to impact our members’ lives through science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)."

Terry Morris

BDPA is the premier organization for African American professionals and students in the information technology industry. For almost 40 years, BDPA has fulfilled its mission by bridging the digital divide and providing career growth opportunities for its members. Today, BDPA is the largest African American information technology association in the U.S., and the largest national non-profit organization continually involved in training students underrepresented in STEM education across the country.

"RYAN Consulting Group has been a great partner and contributor to the Indianapolis Chapter of BDPA. They were one of the founding partners of our local chapter and they have been an active supporter of our HSCC programs for multiple years," said BDPA Indianapolis chapter president Terry Morris.

To learn more about BDPA sponsorship opportunities, please contact BDPA Corporate Sales Team by email (corpsales@bdpa.org) or phone (301) 584-3135 x108.

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