Message from Cincinnati Chapter President

Clarence Larcarte

It’s an exciting time to be a part of BDPA Cincinnati! Why? Because technology enables us to improve our lives in so many different facets and BDPA is all about technology. Whether you are a casual technology user or a hard-core developer, we have something for you.

So, what are some of the things you can expect to see from us in the coming months? Well, how about a workshop on 'Ethical Hacking'? Or a meeting where we just play video games ... so we can learn about 'Code Development'? I bet you’d find it interesting if we talk about the latest people to get rich from IT (and how you could do it too). These are just a few of the topics we’ll explore. All while keeping our focus on LEARN MORE, EARN MORE, DO MORE!

Our chapter is hosting a meetup of the 'Cincinnati Blacks In Technology' on Wednesday, April 17, 2013. Our topic this month is: "Gaming the System: The Gamification of Education, Entrepreneurship and the Economy"

My board of directors is actively working to make this the best year in the history of BDPA Cincinnati. There’s lots of room for you to participate. Please join us!

Best Regards,
Clarence Larcarte, President
BDPA Cincinnati

Message from BDPA Cincinnati President

It’s an exciting time to be a part of BDPA Cincinnati!  Why? When talent, passion and commitment collide, how can that NOT be exciting??!!!

Clarence Larcarte

The leadership of the organization is so full of energy it amazing! Let me introduce you to them:

• Clarence Larcarte - President
• Steve Gutter -VP, Finance
• Prince Ellis - VP, Strategy and Planning
• Dalric Webb - VP, Membership Management
• Open - VP, Membership Services
• Deborah Prince- Director, Outreach
• Open - Director, Recruiting and Retention
• Ernest Gause - Director, Marketing
• Braxton Washington - Director, Communication
• Frank Hill - Coordinator, Student IT Education & Scholarships (SITES)
• Brenda Hogan - Webmaster
• Wanda Gray - Immediate Past President

In 2013, we push forward with our mission of advancing Information Technology (IT) careers from the classroom to the boardroom. We live out this mission through youth-oriented programs such as SITES, High School Computer Competition, TECHie Club and IT Showcase as well as monthly professional program meetings and quarterly workshops.

If you’ve been around BDPA Cincinnati at all in the past this may sound familiar, but I can assure you that it is not business as usual. Any organization which hopes to remain vibrant and relevant must constantly adapt and BDPA is no exception. So, our leadership think tank has come up with creative new ideas as well as new spins on old ideas so that we can continue to provide value to our members. You can see some snip-its below, but if you really want to learn how you can benefit or how you can help, you really should join us.

Our efforts center around the creation of a vibrant pipeline of IT talent, with our events being centered around the concepts of LEARN MORE, EARN MORE, DO MORE!!

LEARN MORE: Build new skills and strengthen old ones - Get youth involved early in IT or learn a new professional and/or technical skill to apply towards your current career or to land a new position or promotion.

• SITES – HSCC, IT Showcase
• Techie Club
• Quarterly Technical Workshops
• Monthly Program Meetings - March 20th - Blacks In Technology

EARN MORE: Use your new skills and expanding network to improve your financial position - Translate your academic prowess into financial success

• J.O.B—Jobs Opportunities Board
• Yearly Career Fair
• Professional Networking (Spring/Summer Mixers)
• Entrepreneurship SIG
• BDPA Job Board, www.ITDiversityCareers.com

DO MORE: Use your talents to improve your community - Each one, teach one.

• Volunteerism - Mentor IT Professionals
• Volunteerism—Serve on the Board of BDPA
• Be a TECHie Club Volunteer

We are excited to partner with you to create a promising IT future!!

Best Regards,
Clarence Larcarte, President
BDPA Cincinnati Chapter

Grant Award: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America ($5,000)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) is proud to announce that we received a $5,000 grant award from Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America (TEMA). The funding will be used the Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program operated by our BDPA Cincinnati chapter.

This is an especially rewarding grant award because BETF executive director Wayne Hicks, BDPA Cincinnati chapter president Clarence Larcarte and BDPA Cincinnati chapter corporate advisory council chair Patrick Nelson met jointly with representatives from the TEMA funding team as part of this process. The people we met with were Northern Kentucky university graduate students who were learning about philanthropy at the same time that they were helping TEMA evaluate a number of grant proposals. That face-to-face meeting is a great equalizer for nonprofits that aren't as well-known as some others ... and we are very grateful to TEMA for giving us that opportunity.

The notification for the award came by e-mail and stated in part:

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Dear Wayne,

Your grant application to Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America (TEMA) for support of BDPA Education and Technology Foundation's SITES Program was reviewed at TEMA's November Contributions Committee meeting. The committee has approved your grant request in the amount of $5,000. Before we will be able to process your request for payment, we will need a completed, signed W9.

The Northern Kentucky University Mayerson Project graduate students did a good job of presenting your grant application to our Contributions Committee. Dollar amounts awarded are strictly at the discretion of the Committee and are based on other requests received and the amount of funding dollars available. Because you were so kind to participate with the Mayerson Project students, they would like to invite your organization to attend the Mayerson Awards Ceremony on Thursday, November 29th from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at NKU's Student Union.

Thank you for the important work you do in the community and for your support of Toyota.

Sincerely,
Nila Wells
TEMA Contributions Program
25 Atlantic Avenue
Erlanger, KY 41018

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BDPA Cincinnati chapter plans to use the funding in support of its upcoming 2013 Computer Camp. That program is now 'co-sponsored by TEMA' for the next calendar year!

We still need support to provide college scholarships to the seniors on next year's High School Computer Competition team in Cincinnati. Won't you consider joining TEMA as a supporter? You can 'make it so' by visiting our Brandon Berry Memorial Scholarship Fund.