Bemley Scholar: Pandora Brown (Central State University)

Pandora Brown

Pandora Brown represented BDPA Columbus chapter as a member of the national High School Computer Competition (HSCC) team at the 2011 and 2012 championships. Her team surprised everyone by taking the bronze medal at the 2011 HSCC championship held in Chicago. She won a Dr. Jesse Bemley Scholarship for her BDPA performance that will be used during her sophomore year at Central State University where Pandora is majoring in criminal justice.

We asked Pandora to share her thoughts on her BDPA experience. She wrote,

"Joining BDPA had to be one of the best decisions I have ever made. When I joined I met new people, I got to travel, and I was also able to earn scholarship money. I would recommend BDPA to all students interested in stem. I feel as if it is a really good opportunity for students to network with Black business owners. Also I feel as if it creates a bigger window of opportunity for those who may need it."

Pandora plans to serve as an officer in the United States Air Force after graduation. She is a remarkable role model for other young women in the BDPA Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program. We want to increase the amount of money in our Bemley Scholarship Fund and we encourage our readers to take a moment to help us by making a secure online donation right away!

Fiat Chrysler Automotive Scholar: Austin Little (Morehouse College)

Austin Little

The Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Scholarship for BDPA Students is intended to provide financial assistance to a graduating high school senior or college pursuing a degree in Information Technology (IT) or an IT related discipline. FCA agreed to work with BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) to award four $2,500 scholarships in 2016. One of the scholarships is going to Austin Little, a junior at Morehouse College, majoring in Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering.

Throughout his college career, Austin has conducted research at Cornell University on efficient materials for Magneto-Restrictive Random Access Memory. In addition, he worked with Georgia Institute of Technology in computational fluid dynamics using numerical analysis techniques.

This scholarship is limited to BDPA students. Austin Little participated in the 2011 and 2012 National BDPA High School Computer Competition (HSCC) championship representing the city of Detroit. His team took home the silver medal in 2012.

2012 HSCC Team (Austin on the far right)

We asked Austin about his thoughts on his BDPA experience.

He wrote, "There is no single memory that serves as my testimony to BDPA. This organization has helped me grow as a future IT professional as well as establish lifelong personal relationships with people interested in the IT industry that look just like me."

Austin will stay in Atlanta this summer at the Georgia Institute of Technology developing a machine learning algorithm to automatically alert a wheelchair bound person when she needs to readjust seating positions. Upon graduation Austin wants to work in the field of Big Data Analytics.

James Fields Will Use Bemley Scholarship to Attend Oklahoma Christian University

James Fields

James Fields was a member of the High School Computer Competition (HSCC) team trained by BDPA St. Louis chapter during his four years of high school. His chapter took home the silver medal at the 2012 HSCC championship. He earned a $1,000 Dr. Jesse Bemley Scholarship for his silver medal win. He will use that scholarship in support of his education at Oklahoma Christian University.

James wrote, "Going through high school, I knew design was always an interest for me. I took several graphic design and illustration classes, but there was something that I knew I was missing. I also longed for technical experience. I took several computer classes, starting with basic web page creation and entering the realm of programming, going all the way to AP and programming classes. Nearing the end of high school, I was employed for a time in a programming position, as well as several other nontechnical jobs. At Oklahoma Christian, I am currently studying animation, blending my technical experience and design aptitude. After college, I hope to get a job at a game company doing animation or character design."

We asked James to share his memories of the BDPA experience. He wrote,

BDPA St. Louis students & trainers at 2012 BDPA Conference

"The BDPA High School Computer Competition was a huge help to me both as a person and as a student of the technical sciences. I joined BDPA on recommendation by a close family friend. I did not have a lot of technical experience when I entered the program, but I left with a wealth of skills that are extremely relevant to the career I intend to end up pursuing. When I started BDPA, all I had was a desire to learn, no actual skills. When I left, I had learned not only technical skills that I would need, such as programming in a variety of languages conducive to web development, but also important interpersonal skills I would need. I can remember distinctly one year during a competition when I had an idea for our project that ultimately needed to be scrapped. I learned then that not all of my ideas will be a good fit for the project that I’m working on. BDPA taught me that sometimes, I need to sacrifice what I want for the good of the overall. BDPA gave me the ability to network in a professional environment, and helped me with my group problem solving skills, so that in the future, I will have a much easier time not just creating things, but being able to create things with other people, and how to deal with everyone in a group’s ideas and input and sort it all out."

We have asked James to consider applying for the 1st annual Wanda Everett BDPA Scholarship. Now, we will ask you to help us grow the Dr. Jesse Bemley Scholarship Fund for future 'James Fields' out there! Heck, it's my birthday wish!

Bemley Scholar: Jacqueline Nobbe (Truman State University)

Jacqueline Nobbe

Jacqueline Nobbe participated in the BDPA computer camp hosted by our St. Louis chapter from 2010 thru 2013. She earned a place on the national High School Computer Competition (HSCC) team in 2011 and 2012. Her team earned the silver medal in 2012 and she plans to use the Bemley Scholarship that she earned to attend Truman State University. Currently, Jacqueline is majoring in computer science with a minor in cognitive science.

When asked about her BDPA experience, Jacqueline wrote,

"We will see what doors open up when the time comes. I hope to find a career that involves meeting inspired people and working on projects that will help make an positive impact on the world.

If it weren’t for my experiences with BDPA, chances are, I would not be a CS major, nor would I have the wonderful group of people around me that help me grow and stay inspired by the possibilities of computer science. I think what I appreciate most about my time with the HSCC was being surrounded with such wonderful mentors that were (and still are) so willing and excited to foster the same inspiration in us as students. My mentors in the program were inspired by computer science to pass that on, and it really showed during the weeks of training.

I currently work as a service representative at Truman State University’s IT Service Center, and will be working as an intern at Strategic Sales Systems this summer."

We encourage our readers to make a secure online donation to the Dr. Jesse Bemley Scholarship Fund so that we can continue to recognize young scholars like Jacqueline in the future!

FedEx Charitable Giving

Please be advised that FedEx accepts applications and proposals via its website only. To apply, please visit the website at http://giving.fedex.com, scroll down the page and click on the purple block of text that reads, "FedEx Charitable Contribution Guidelines". After this window opens, click under the block of text that reads, “Contribution Application”.

A new window will open and you will be required to enter your organization’s nonprofit tax identification number to begin the automated application process. All decisions are made within 4 to 6 weeks and you will be notified in writing. Due to the large volume of requests received, they are unable to review any proposals not submitted through our online application process.

The next step is yours. FedEx is a possible source of support for your organization. They look forward to reviewing your proposal when it is submitted online. If you have any questions or concerns with your online application, please contact Sarah Farrell at sarah.farrell2@fedex.com .

Wanda Everett BDPA Scholarship (Due: 4/1/16)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) and Daugherty Business Solutions seek to support the career aspiration of BDPA students in the St. Louis area. We are proud to offer the 1st Annual Wanda Everett Scholarship for BDPA Students to any eligible BDPA St. Louis student member.

Wanda Everett Scholarship for BDPA Students (Due: 4/1/16) from Entrepreneurial Engagement Ohio

The 2016 application is online.   We will provide a $2,500 one-time only scholarship for an eligible high school senior or college student pursuing a degree in Information Technology (IT) or IT-related discipline. All application materials must be RECEIVED by April 1, 2016 in order to be eligible.

The next step is yours! Do you know anyone who might be interested in this $2,500 college scholarship? The deadline is approaching so don't delay!

Feel free to contact us on DaughertyBusinessSolutions@betf.org if you have questions or wish to discuss further.

Grant Declination: Interactive Intelligence Foundation (BDPA Cincinnati)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF)and BDPA Cincinnati learned that our $20,000 grant proposal has been declined. BETF will continue to aggressively pursue funding support for all 47 local BDPA chapters ... including the one in Cincinnati.

The declination letter read as follows:

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We regret to inform you that we are not able to fund BDPA Education and Technology Foundation’s grant request for this funding cycle. We do, however, encourage you to re-apply for our next grant application cycle in November of 2017.

We very much appreciated the opportunity to consider your charitable organization in our most recent grant application process. This year, we received more than 150 grant applications which made our grant decision very hard as all were admirable organizations working for great causes. Interactive Intelligence Foundation is a small corporate foundation and only has a limited amount of money to distribute.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to understand and appreciate your organization; we encourage you to keep up your good work because all of our futures depend on breaking the cycle of disadvantage youth.

Regards,
The Interactive Foundation Board of Directors

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We invite the BDPA Cincinnati chapter leadership ... and in fact, we invite leaders from all 47 local chapters ... to contact the BETF executive director about our funding guidelines. Let's work hard to ensure that we have large participation in the national championships for High School Computer Competition, IT Showcase and Mobile Application Showcase.

Grant Proposal: Delta Air Lines Foundation (BDPA Seattle)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) worked with BDPA Seattle chapter (president, Ann Robinson) to submit a grant proposal to Delta Air Lines Foundation seeking ten (10) round-trip tickets. The tickets will allow BDPA Seattle students and chaperones to travel from the Pacific Northwest to Atlanta to participate in the various Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) programs that occur at the BDPA Technology Conference on August 10-13, 2016.

BETF will continue to aggressively pursue funding to support the SITES initiative in Seattle ... including preparing students for the BDPA IT Showcase, BDPA Mobile Application Showcase and the High School Computer Competition. BETF is willing to do the same for any of the 47 local BDPA chapters. Reach out to BETF executive director if you have questions or wish to discuss further.

The Entrepreneurial Pledge

I am an entrepreneur. All of my income is derived from my ability to provide value to my clients. As I enter the new year it is my intention to follow the following four principles as laid out by Melvin Gravely in his book, 'Making It Your Business: The Personal Transition from Employee to Entrepreneur'.

With the following four principles as my guide, which hold me and only me accountable for the outcomes, I commit myself. Any and everything I want will take my personal commitment to make happen. If I do nothing different from what I do today, I should expect nothing different from what I have right now. With all that the world has to offer in front of me, I pledge:

1. I will start with what I have today. It is all I have! I know I will never have all I think I need. But, my ideas and dreams cannot wait another day. I must do what I can with what I have right now.
2. I will commit to the habit of continuous learning. Knowing the importance of learning practical information about myself and about my craft is my weapon against the dangers of a rapidly changing world.
3. I will choose to do something over doing nothing. Anyone can do nothing and most people do. It takes my action to make things better. Anything worth having is worth my doing something to get.
4. I will fight against the constant urge to give up. Understanding that the difference between those who have tried to do and those who have done often rests in the ability to keep trying.

This is my pledge to myself and to my aspirations. I take this pledge today, and I will live it every day because I can have what I want if I am willing to make the decision, set the direction and have the disciplined determination to see it through.

Dr. Michael Boykin Wins BDPA Epsilon Award for Outstanding Technical Contribution

National BDPA annually selects and awards the BDPA Epsilon Award to recognize and celebrate key contributions and accomplishments of its members. Nominations are accepted across five categories and they are evaluated by a team of National BDPA members. One of the categories is Outstanding Technical Contribution. This honor is reserved for individuals who have pioneered new or leveraged existing technology to solve a critical business or technical problem.

BDPA is pleased to announce that Dr. Michael Boykin has won the 2015 Epsilon Award for Outstanding Technical Contribution. Dr. Michael Boykin is worthy of the Outstanding Technical Contribution award for repeatedly demonstrating the ability to position organizations to seize competitive advantage and enhance operational synergies through the modernization, integration and deployment of IT solutions. Evidence of Dr. Boykin’s contribution is reflected in his technical leadership of IT-enabled business transformation and mergers and acquisition. Recently, Boykin led the technical program for a $4B spin-off of a consumer goods company. As part of this effort, he developed the complete strategic technology plan and services to be used at company start up. The comprehensive modernization plan supported a 50% reduction in IT spend and facilitated the successful launch of the new company which saw nearly a 120% increase in stock price the first year.

Dr. Michael Boykin

As the Professional Services Director for Spyne, a Cisco-certified professional services firm, Boykin oversaw and led the technical infrastructure planning and execution for a major international pharmaceutical company. This effort helped Cisco obtain the Supplier of the Year award from the customer. As an enterprise architect with Alcoa, Dr. Boykin played pivotal architecture roles in the Common Infrastructure Initiative that paved the way for a modernized corporate ledger solution that enabled Alcoa to be one of the first companies on the Dow to report monthly performance figures to Wall Street.

Today, Dr. Boykin is a Distinguished Technologist and member of the HP Chief Technologist Office assigned to the Consumer Goods segment and is one of only a small number of minorities in this role. In this capacity, he engages with some of HP’s largest and most strategic accounts to establish forward-looking strategies, roadmaps and governance forums. He is the first African American, Alcoa Fellowship holder and Division-1A varsity football player to earn a Ph.D in computer science from the University of Pittsburgh.

The Epsilon Award nomination for Dr. Michael Boykin was submitted by Jambey Clinkscales, chair of the HP Black Employee Leadership Council.

BDPA Scholarship Birthday Wish (Wayne Hicks)

Former National BDPA president Wayne Hicks celebrates his 57th birthday on January 30, 2016. He is fairly certain that his friends won't be getting him a trip to Hawaii, so he decided to 'give up his birthday' to raise money for his favorite cause -- the Dr. Jesse Bemley Scholarship Fund.

He hopes to raise $5,700 for is 57th birthday. Will he make it? So far, here are the folks who think that he has a good idea:

• Wayne Hicks (Cincinnati) - $57
• Mike Williams (Atlanta) - $500
• Liz Hicks (Los Angeles) - $57
  

It is really easy to support his BDPA birthday wish ... just click here!

BDPA Brotha Shares 10 Sure-Fire Ways to Ruin Your Networking Efforts

I have been in BDPA since 1988. Some of y'all refer to me as the BDPA Brotha! I have shared tips on 'The Art of Networking' in the past. In fact, I recently shared 15 ideas on improving your networking results.

This time I thought that it would be worthwhile to point out ten things that many of us do to the detriment of our networking efforts. Here are 10 things you should *NOT DO* if you want to make your networking work!

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1. Do not abuse your network. Word of mouth will kill you.
2. Do not abuse your contacts. Always honor their right to privacy.
3. Do not burden your network with your problems, but, be willing to listen to advice when you ask for it.
4. Do not develop a reputation for calling *only* when you need a favor.
5. Do not ever think anything can replace real competence.
6. Do not expect anyone to work harder for you than you are willing to work for yourself.
7. Do not expect your network to find you a job.
8. Do not give a referral without first calling ahead to alert your contact.
9. Do not offer negative feedback callously.
10. Do not talk excessively about yourself. Learn how to get your network to do this for you!

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These are some ideas on how you can maximize your positive results from networking. Have you learned the 'hard way' about any of these ten networking errors in the past? Do you have other suggestions that we may have missed?

I will continue to share these 'BDPA Brotha' tips on a semi-regular basis!

Message from BDPA Philadelphia Chapter President

Cedric Edwards

Hello and Happy New Year! I am very excited about entering 2016 and fortunate that I will be operating as President of BDPA Philadelphia chapter. First, let me send a sincere thank you to Eileen Gadsden who has done a tremendous job as President of the chapter over the past few years. Her hard work and dedication will surely pave the way for a successful transition for me and the new board members. Please join me in thanking Eileen.

BDPA Philadelphia chapter has a rich and storied history of engaging in the local community and providing programs and services for our members. I look to continue on that path but I will need the help of our membership. The strength and success of our chapter lies largely within our members. The programs and services we deliver in Philadelphia should directly add value to our members and the local community. I will strive to increase our chapter membership and increase our brand awareness. I will work with our chapter members on engaging our high school and college youth in the programs BDPA offers. Through our programs and services, I will actively work with my board to strengthen current corporate sponsorships and develop new relationships.

I feel very positive about the future of our chapter and I want to welcome everyone to join me in ensuring BDPA Philadelphia is one of the top chapters of National BDPA. Working together we can make a difference!

Sincerely,
Cedric Edwards, president
BDPA Philadelphia Chapter

Message from National BDPA President

Pamela Mathews

Hello everyone!

I pray that each of you experienced a wonderful and safe holiday season. As we come to the close of 2015, I am excited and reflective about what WE were able to accomplish through strong teamwork, communication and collaboration. Here are my top three for the year:

1. BDPA celebrated 40 years of taking our members from the classroom to the boardroom.  We are the oldest and largest minority technology organization in the world and we are well-positioned for the next 40 years based on the momentum we have generated this year.  Please enjoy the 40th anniversary memories from one of our BDPA pioneers, Dr. Jesse Bemley.
2. Established a critical, mutually beneficial partnership with CompTIA. One of our key goals for this year was to increase our member value proposition. This partnership provides greater accessibility to resources that will strengthen and enhance our members current and future career opportunities; and
3. Elected a very strong team of leaders for 2016-2017. The incoming leadership team possesses the drive, experience, vision and tenacity required to build on our current momentum. I encourage everyone to read/listen intently, act expediently, share the good news about BDPA and support this team moving forward.

Mike Williams (2016-17 president), Pamela, Donna & Earl Pace

We have incredible momentum as we move into 2016. In January, your leadership team will meet to review and agree upon the tactics that will be employed to live out our strategy and fortify relationships that will be critical to our overall success.

Another imperative in 2016, will be furtherance of the regional organizational structure. While the national organization is here to support the chapters, the regional teams are the ears, eyes and legs that ensure the national strategy is understood and carried out locally and that our chapters are healthy, growing and sustainable. We have much work to do here and I am confident that our incoming Regional leaders are up for and will succeed with this challenge.

A few reminders:

• Please remember to renew your membership as soon as possible to ensure you do not miss out on existing and new member services. Please log in to your account, via www.bdpa.org, to check your status.
• Register for the 2016 Conference (Atlanta, GA) as soon as possible. Visit the Conference site via www.bdpa.org for more information. The early bird registration will be extended until the end of January to ensure that everyone can take advantage of this incredible discount.

I would also like to recognize our outgoing National Executive Committee, Board of Directors and Chapter Leaders for another successful year. Finally, THANK YOU again for the privilege to serve our great organization as President. Please feel free to contact me at pamela.mathews@bdpa.org if you have any questions or comments.

Sincerely,
Pamela Mathews, president
National BDPA

Linda Clement-Holmes Wins BDPA Epsilon Award for Career Achievement

National BDPA annually selects and awards the BDPA Epsilon Award to recognize and celebrate key contributions and accomplishments of its members. Nominations are accepted across five categories and they are evaluated by a team of National BDPA members. One of the categories is Career Achievement. This honor is reserved for highly experienced professionals who have significant career accomplishments or contributions throughout their career.

BDPA is pleased to announce that Linda Clement-Holmes has won the 2015 Epsilon Award for Career Achievement. Linda is the Chief Information Officer for Procter & Gamble. In this expansive role, Linda is responsible for building capability within the Company’s Information Technology (IT) function and providing IT governance oversight. Among her responsibilities, Linda is responsible for P&G’s global IT infrastructure, driving enterprise architecture; corporate applications; maintaining compliance and effectiveness of information security; leading IT innovation; and ensuring a best-in-class employee and workplace experience.

Linda Clement-Holmes

Linda joined P&G in 1983, becoming a global “executive of firsts” across several disciplines. She was the first African American senior vice president in the IT function, and the first female African American senior vice president, and now president, within P&G. She led the first vision and strategy for P&G’s e-mail system, led the partnership with HP to provide core information technology services, and spearheaded delivery of broad business and employee services to Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa. As Chief Diversity Officer, Linda crafted the first company-wide diversity and inclusion strategy and established P&G’s first Global Inclusion & Diversity Council, significantly elevating P&G’s Diversity Inc. and Working Mother Magazine rankings.

Linda is widely recognized for her leadership and business acumen. Recent honors include Purdue University’s Krannert Business Leadership Award and Purdue Old Master, American Business Awards’ Female Executive of the Year, Working Mother’s 'Working Mothers of the Year', YWCA’s Career Woman of Achievement, the First Tees Values award, the Howard University Global Visionary Leadership Award and the Diamond Leadership Award from the IT Senior Management Forum. She has been listed among Computerworld’s Premier 100 IT Leaders, Uptown Professional’s Top 100 Executives and Black Enterprise magazine’s Top Executives.

Linda remains active in community, business, and service organizations, many holding Board of Director and Officer positions. As a role model for IT leaders, African Americans, and Women, Linda exemplifies Career Achievement.

You can follow Linda on Twitter: @lwch

Daylee Hopson Uses Monsanto Scholarship to Study Computer Science at University of Missouri

Daylee Hopson

Monsanto is a powerful BDPA sponsor. They announced four college scholarships at the 2014 National BDPA Technology Conference held in Indianapolis, Indiana. One of the winning scholars is Daylee Hopson, a student member of our BDPA St. Louis chapter. She plans to use her Monsanto Scholarship at the University of Missouri as she studies computer science.

Daylee was recommended for the scholarship by the late BDPA St. Louis president Toni Love.

Daylee wrote, "Being a member of the BDPA has been a very memorable experience for me. Toni Love, was a dear friend of my family. If it weren’t for her encouraging me to join the BDPA, I would not have received this scholarship. She wanted me to get this scholarship, and I wish I could tell her that I did. Nevertheless, this experience has only made me eager to be more integrated into the BDPA community."

Daylee's career goal is become a Computer Network Architect or an Applications Software Developer.

Daylee wrote, "I am good with computers, but I am more interested in the math side of the job. Math is enjoyable to me, and with the world of computers gaining an all time high, there couldn’t be a better choice. When considering a Master’s degree or PhD, I will not be limited to any one career. As technology improves, I too will attain a greater comprehension of computers. This means that I will always be employed because I will always know about the new things arising."

Daylee is a remarkable example of the BDPA mantra -- 'from the classroom to the boardroom'! We are glad that she is using this college scholarship to further her career in the IT industry. Our hope is that we will see her back at the National BDPA Technology Conference being held next year in Atlanta!

Judaea Lane Wins BDPA Epsilon Award for Community Service

Judaea Lane

National BDPA annually selects and awards the BDPA Epsilon Award to recognize and celebrate key contributions and accomplishments of its members. The 'Community Service' award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated, by meaningful results, strong partnership and collaboration with entities in the communities they reside. One of the 2015 Epsilon Award winners in this category is Judaea Lane.

Judaea Lane has been a member of BDPA New York Chapter for over 15 years. Judaea has held numerous roles within the chapter such as Student Chaperone, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer and Chapter President. Some of her key accomplishments as President were conducting Community Events such as Black Family Technology Awareness Week and Cybersecurity Awareness and distributing over $5,000 in Scholarships to BDPA’s HSCC students. Currently Judaea is the National Board Development Governance & Bylaw Chairperson.

In 2008, Judaea was recipient of the MetLife Foundation Volunteer Service Award for the BDPA New York chapter. The award honored MetLife associates who have made a difference in their communities through volunteer work. For over 8 years, Judaea has been a member of Central Nassau Club of National Association Negro Business & Professional Women Club (NANBPWC). She is a member of the National Technology Team where she provides help desk support to senior members. Recently Judaea participated on a panel at the United Nations, where she demonstrated how to use technology as part of disaster preparation. Other key accomplishments were planning, organizing and managing the club signature events such as the NANBPWC’s Annual Luncheon and Women’s History Month Program.

Judaea serves on the Executive Board of Nassau Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. In 2014 Judaea received the Outstanding Community Service Award from National Pan Hellenic Council of Nassau/Suffolk Counties. Last, Judaea’s biggest passion is conducting digital literacy awareness to seniors for her church. Inspired by God’s word, her favorite scripture is Proverbs 16:3 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do and he will establish your plans.”

Judaea receives Epsilon Award from BDPA founder and national president.

Due to Judaea’s strong leadership skills and compassion for volunteering in the in the community, she is worthy recipient of the BDPA Epsilon Award for Community Service.

You can follow Judaea on Twitter:  @jeytechconsult

Grant Proposal: Nissan Foundation (BDPA Middle Tennessee)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) worked closely with the officers of the BDPA Middle Tennessee chapter to submit a grant proposal to the Nissan Foundation seeking $6,000 for the 2016 Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program. The funding was requested via the Nissan Neighbors program. We hope to have an answer within the next few weeks.

In the United States, Nissan Neighbors is a community-focused initiative dedicated to improving communities through charitable contributions and in-kind donations to nonprofit organizations working in three focus areas: education, the environment and humanitarian aid. All organizations applying for funding through Nissan Neighbors must meet the following requirements:

• Have 501 (c)(3) non-profit status;
• Support projects compatible with one of the Nissan Neighbors focus areas; and
• Serve communities surrounding Nissan's affiliate locations, including Middle Tennessee (location of Nissan Americas corporate headquarters and manufacturing assembly plants in Smyrna and Decherd)

Nissan Neighbors accepts grant applications throughout the year. In support of a greener environment, the Nissan Neighbors application process is administered online. Hardcopy and paper applications are not accepted.

BETF is willing to work with any of the 47 local BDPA chapters to obtain the funding that they need to successfully deliver their 2016 SITES program. Simply reach out to the BETF executive director if you have questions or wish to discuss further.

BDPA iRadio Show: December 22, 2015 (Dr. Will Bundy, Herchran Singh, Rene' Yarborough)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) is very proud to be the creator of the BDPA iRadio Show. 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!

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The guest on the December 22nd show:

Dr. Will Bundy

Dr. Will Bundy - director, The Gravely Group - Dr. Will Bundy is a proven warrior having served our nation as a submariner in the US Navy. Dr. Bundy is is currently focused on the future of technology.  He wants to ensure that BDPA is aware of the work being done with autonomous controls and unmanned systems.  In his past, Dr. Bundy expanded BDPA's vision of corporate relations when he negotiated on behalf of FleetBoston Financial the first Platinum-level corporate sponsorship in BDPA's history.   He served from 2003-2007 as an Outside Director on the National BDPA Board of Directors.   Dr. Bundy is the creator of the annual corporate and individual Epsilon Awards presented at each conference by BDPA.   He offers a unique perspective to the good works of BDPA that we look forward to sharing with our BDPA iRadio Show audience.  You can follow Will on Twitter -- @GravelyThe.

Herchran Singh

Herchran Singh - college student, Gustavus Adolphus College - Herchran Singh is a junior at Gustavus Adolphus College.   She is a long-time member of the BDPA Southern Minnesota chapter.  She competed 3 times (2011-2013) as part of the chapter's High School Computer Competition (HSCC) team ... earning Dr.Jesse Bemley Scholarships each year from her participation.  Her team won the championship in 2011 and 2013.   This past year she won the bronze medal in the 2nd Annual BDPA Mobile Application Showcase ... earning a State Farm college scholarship.   Herchran is hardworking and strives for excellence through the deep desire to learn. She leads others by activating, motivating, and encouraging them to reach their highest potential.  She has been on the Dean's List at her college and she won the Aspirations in Computing Award from the National Center for Women in Information Technology in 2013.  Her BDPA legacy is powerful and our BDPA iRadio Show will enjoy hearing her thoughts on BDPA and her preparation to compete at the annual conference over the past five years!  You can follow Herchran on Twitter - @herchranksp

Rene' Yarborough

Rene' Yarborough - senior manager, Baxter International - Rene' Yarborough is a senior IT manager at Baxter International. She has been in BDPA for many years as she moved from Cincinnati to Philadelphia to Chicago. She was recently elected as the Administrative Vice President of our BDPA Chicago chapter. Our BDPA iRadio Show audience looks forward to hearing about the BDPA journey of Rene' as well as her aspirations for the future of BDPA Chicago chapter.  You can follow Rene' on Twitter - @renerochelle

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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!

Beleicia Bullock Plans to Use her Bemley Scholarship at Bowdoin College

Beleicia Bullock

Beleicia Bowdoin earned a Dr. Jesse Bemley Scholarship for her work on the 2015 High School Computer Competition (HSCC) team trained by BDPA Washington DC. Her commitment to leadership is exemplary. Beleicia is graduating from the Maret School, where she has had a chance to grow both academically and socially. She is involved in a variety of clubs, including the Black Student Union, Student Admissions Tour Guides, and The Woodley Leaves, Maret’s newspaper.

In addition to being a devoted student-leader, she maintains an unwavering commitment to community service. Currently, she is concluding her Gold Award, which is the highest award that any Girl Scout can earn. For her project, Beleicia founded Operation: GirlCode. This initiative fosters a sisterhood among girls in the male-dominated HSCC championship and has retained a record number of girls for the HSCC team trained by BDPA Washington DC chapter. In addition to her Gold Award, Beleicia also serves as a teen advisor for the National Campaign for the Prevention of Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. Here, she contributes her time to promote the Planned Parenthood and create more effective campaigns for the organization.

Many of the skills that Beleicia learned by participating in and leading community service projects, she was able to apply in the workforce. In 2012, Beleicia obtained her first internship at the Hirshhorn Museum. Here, she was the editor-in-chief of the museum’s teen newsletter and a social media intern. The next summer, she interned at the National Museum of African American History and Culture as a summer English instructor. There, she worked with youth on improving their writing skills, while also promoting the exploration of African American art, literature, and poetry. Finally, after graduating from high school, Beleicia started working at the Rock Creek Group, a global investment and advisory firm for institutional investors.

2015 Silver-Medal Winning team included Beleicia Bullock, Lauren Battle, Johnathan Legrant, Micah Moore and Zion Emanuel.

When asked to reflect on her experience with BDPA, Beleicia wrote, "After a scary introduction to computer science, I was so sure that programming was not for me. However, my mother thought that I should give it another try, so she signed me up for the HSCC. It was probably the best decision she has ever made for me. Three years later, I am looking forward to creating the foundations for my computer science career at college and really exploring all that technology has to offer. The HSCC helped to mold my thinking and trained me to think technically and efficiently. Simultaneously, I was able to learn a great deal of social skills, such as how to lead a team, take criticism constructively, and plan projects."

While she is sad to leave her life at Maret, family and friends, Beleicia is incredibly excited to attend Bowdoin College in the fall. There, she plans to double major in computer science and Arabic, as well as minoring in economics and finance.

BDPA Leadership Tip: Ignore the Excuse and Attack the Problem

It's important not to get hung up arguing about or debating the validity of excuses. Every BDPAer makes excuses at one time or another. It's better to ignore the excuse, and focus on the job at hand.

For instance, a BDPA volunteer tells you that he "would have finished the job but people kept interrupting me."

Wrong Answer: "Why did you let them interrupt you? And, by the way, who was interrupting you?"

Right Answer: "Fine. What is the status of the job now, and when will you be finished?"

The right answer keeps the discussion focused on the job, not the excuse. As a general rule, attack the problem and ignore the excuse.

Grant Award: Christ Church Cathedral ($15,000)

Christ Church Cathedral

BDPA Cincinnati Chapter is pleased to announce that it won a $15,000 Christ Church Cathedral grant award for its Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program. The funds will be used to sustain the interest of disadvantaged young people in science and technology. BDPA introduces computers and basic software programming to underserved young people in the Cincinnati Public School system and local colleges and universities. 80% of the US jobs created in the next decade will require math and science skills. The average salary of STEM employees is 70% higher than all other occupations. Student interest is simply too low in science, technology, education and math (STEM) areas. 84% of middle school students say that they would rather clean their room, eat their vegetables, go to the dentist or take out the garbage than learn math or science.

BDPA will use the Christ Church Cathedral funding to respond to these troubling statistics with the SITES program that teaches advance computer science and community responsibility to students from disadvantaged communities. The centerpiece of the SITES program is the High School Computer Competition (HSCC) that is taught at the BDPA computer camp on Saturdays. BDPA is reaching out to 8th-12th graders to participate in the computer camp. Youngsters are encouraged to apply online at www.bdpa-camp.org and attend the orientation session on Saturday, January 9, 2016 at Cincinnati State.

“BDPA Cincinnati Chapter is extremely grateful to Christ Church Cathedral for their $15,000 grant in support of the BDPA mission to improve the number of minorities interested and engaged in technology within greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky,” says BDPA Cincinnati chapter president Dalric Webb. “Christ Church Cathedral has been a long time supporter of the BDPA mission and through their support, the BDPA Cincinnati team of volunteers has been able to make a positive impact on engaging youth and professionals within our community to more opportunities in the technology field”.

2015 BDPA Cincinnati SITES Students

The 2016 SITES students will participate in a 30-week computer camp program and become eligible for the Brandon Berry Memorial Scholarship. Out of the program, five students will be selected to represent Cincinnati in the National BDPA HSCC championship held on August 10-13, 2016 in Atlanta, GA.

BDPA is the premier organization for African American professionals in the information technology industry. For more than 25 years, BDPA Cincinnati has fulfilled its mission and worked to bridge the digital divide by providing career growth opportunities for its members. BDPA Cincinnati is the largest and fastest-growing of the 47 chapters that exist around the nation.

For more information on the SITES program or BDPA Cincinnati chapter, call (513) 549-6991 or email cincinnati@bdpa.org.

BDPA Announces New Board Leadership – Tammy Koontz (State of Ohio)

Tammy Koontz

BDPA Cincinnati chapter, a nonprofit organization made up of racially diverse information technology professionals, today announced a new member of its board of directors. Tammy Koontz appointed to serve as the director of the chapter’s Communications Department.

BDPA Cincinnati is the largest (out of 47) chapters in the nation. The Communications Department is responsible for communicating BDPA information via all appropriate platforms (online and offline). This department is solely responsible for maintaining current and relevant content on the chapter website (www.bdpa.org/group/CI). Finally, this department ensures that chapter members have their technical articles published in both local and national publications.

"Tammy brings a deep technical and communications background to this volunteer position along with a high level of passion for student success in technology! This is a winning combination for a volunteer in this role and will enable Tammy to make a significant positive impact on both the BDPA Cincinnati Chapter operations and the communities we serve,” said BDPA Cincinnati chapter president Dalric Webb. “I look forward to having Tammy's energy, expertise, and experience on the team as we continue to drive improvements in the diversity of individuals in the Cincinnati technology industry from the classroom to the boardroom.”

Tammy has been an educator for the State of Ohio over the past 25 years. She is a member of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa.

Tammy says, “I will engage members in providing articles and information for the newsletter and to maintain current information as well as updates.”

BDPA Cincinnati closes out 2015 as the largest BDPA chapter in the nation. The chapter is being considered as a host for the 2017 National BDPA Technology Conference. A new chapter president is coming on board in a few weeks. This is a remarkable time for any of our Cincinnati-based supporters to reach out to the chapter by email (cincinnati@bdpa.org) or phone (513.549-6991) to discuss ways that we can work with you or your organization. Tammy got involved. Now it is time for you to do the same thing!

Anthem Invests in BDPA Atlanta Chapter

Anthem invested in the basic BDPA corporate sponsorship package earlier this year. That investment provided them with corporate members, access to the BDPA Job Board and a banner ad on www.bdpa.org homepage. At the time, Anthem indicated a desire to identify internally what associates are members of local BDPA chapters in Atlanta, Indianapolis, Los Angeles and Richmond. The company sought sponsorship, speaking and hosting opportunities at these chapters.

BDPA Atlanta chapter president Derrick Brown opened up a dialogue with the folks at Anthem's corporate headquarters. He was awarded with a $2,000 investment that includes co-sponsorship of the chapter's Holiday Party. 

There are remarkable opportunities for BDPA to partner with many champions in Corporate America.  Follow the example set by Derrick Brown to grow your chapter in both size and financial strength.  Feel free to reach out to the BDPA corporate sales team if you have questions or wish to discuss further.

Nonprofit Storytelling: 6 Tips for Interviews

By Merritt Engel

Ask any non-profit, and they'll tell you there's nothing better than a personal, heartfelt story to put a face on their cause. Far better than organizational blah-blah or sterile statistics, stories help donors (and future donors) learn an organization's personality. Stories help donors feel engaged in the work - and see the difference they can make in a real person's life. They empower the organization and its supporters to continue on. Messaging Shangri La!

But getting stories (good stories especially) is easier said than done. Here are a few tips we've learned from interviewing hundreds of people who have received help from charitable organizations.

1. Start with the End in Mind - Do your homework. Get the "story behind the story" from the program manager before you ever pick up the phone. Think of the story you want to end up with and backtrack from there to draft your questions.


2. Never Use the Word "Interview" - The word "interview" makes people feel like they're being interrogated by Woodward and Bernstein. It can cause anxiety and stage fright. Instead, ask if you can "chat for a few minutes about the assistance he/she received."


3. Talk Less, Listen More - Use the first minute or so to make the interviewee feel at ease-express your thanks. After that, zip your lips. Closed-ended questions will give you just what you might expect-one-word, dull answers. Ask questions like "what did the help mean to you?" and give people time to think about and respond to the question. Resist the urge to fill dead air as some of the best responses come when the interviewee is given the floor.


4. Veer from the Script - As mentioned in #1, a list of questions is always a good idea. But that said, it's a starting point. Listen closely to the interview, and be ready to jet off in another direction if needed. Use probing questions to get more in-depth answers.


5. Get Approvals - No surprises. That's our motto. After you've drafted the story, give the interviewee a chance to review for accuracy. Most make no changes, but it's better to know any problems before publishing it. Keep a paper trail-you might need it.


6. Be Prepared for Anything (and I mean anything) - Interviewing for non-profits is unique. You're talking to people who were-or are-in crisis. Don't be surprised if you encounter hostility, tears and any other emotions. Listen and be empathetic, but never say, "I know what you're going through." Most importantly, stay calm no matter what's thrown at you.

Source: Merritt Engel is Vice President of Merrigan & Co., a Kansas City-based agency that specializes in messaging for non-profit organizations.

The BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) seeks volunteers that can help us capture the story of past winners of the Jesse Bemley Scholarship, Bank of America Scholarship for BDPA Students and Eli Lilly Scholarship for BDPA Students. Please contact BETF by email or phone (513.284-4968) if you would like to discuss this volunteer opportunity.

Call For Presenters * 2016 BDPA Technology Conference

BDPA Conference Audience

The primary BDPA Technology Conference audience consists of multiple levels of IT professionals, from entry-level technologists to senior level managers and corporate executives. Entrepreneurs and educators will also be in attendance. Workshop content and instruction should be geared to a level that is appropriate for the target audience.

The Youth Workshop audience will include middle and high school students. Your presentation’s objective is to enhance the students' capacity to explore and utilize emerging technology. The presentation should also inspire and empower these future professionals to embrace and effectively use Information Technology in their academic and professional careers.

Call For Presenters * 2016 BDPA Technology Conference from National BDPA

All information must be submitted online at http://www.bdpa.org/?page=Abstract by January 29, 2016.

ThoughtWorks Renews Sponsorship of BDPA Dallas Chapter

ThoughtWorks made a commitment to renew its in-kind funding for facilities and food at the monthly program meetings hosted for technology professionals in the Dallas area. BDPA Dallas has used this continued relationship with ThoughtWorks to broaden its appeal to the community. The chapter is now the 12th-largest in all of BDPA. BDPA Dallas chapter president Chad White has his eyes firmly set on cracking the 'Top 10' in the coming weeks!

ThoughtWorks is community of passionate individuals whose purpose is to revolutionize software design, creation and delivery, while advocating for positive social change.



They are focused on helping our technology industry improve, and believe in sharing what they learn. They do this by writing books, blogging, running events, talking at conferences, and championing open source. They also do it by being part of the monthly professional development seminars put on each month by BDPA Dallas chapter.

We seek to uncover similar corporate relationships in all 47 local chapters around the nation. BDPA chapters in Cincinnati and Dallas have now unveiled their corporate partners for the monthly program meeting. What corporation is stepping up in your town to 'make a difference' for African American digital professionals?

Seeking Students for BDPA Cincinnati Computer Camp

2015 BDPA Cincinnati Computer Camp

BDPA Computer Camp is recruiting students in the greater Cincinnati area for its 2016 program. The program helps students explore the world of information technology, while laying a solid foundation for future collegiate and professional careers. The program has an intensive training curriculum for 8th – 12th grade students. The program prepares students to compete in the Regional and the National BDPA High School Computer Competition (HSCC) annually.

All new and previous students, as well as their parents or guardian, should meet with the BDPA Computer Camp committee on January 9, 2016 from 9 am – 2 pm. Please click here to apply.

BDPA High School Computer Camp (Cincinnati) from Entrepreneurial Engagement Ohio

Please email bdpa-camp@bdpa-cincy.org for more information and details! Or you can call BDPA Cincinnati chapter on (513) 549-6991.