BDPA New Jersey Hosts 10th Annual Families in Technology Day

The New Jersey chapter of the largest organization of African Americans in STEM industries, BDPA, is hosting its 10th Annual Families in Technology Day on June 8, 2013. This all-day event will encourage students and their parents to explore the tech arena, and learn the ins and outs from many of the industries’ finest teachers. Held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, the event will include workshops, instruction and an inspiring message from keynote speaker, Dr. Randal Pinkett.

Goldie Bonney

BDPA New Jersey president Goldie Bonney is excited about the 10-year mark of this event. “We’re proud to reach another milestone in technology for our organization. With the way STEM is constantly changing, it’s important for us to make sure the community, especially the students, are equipped and empowered with the tools to stay in demand,” explains Bonney. “Through the support of our sponsors JPMorgan Chase, Johnson & Johnson, and Prudential, we’re anticipating hundreds to attend this year.”

Students have been notoriously intimidated by curriculum associated with going into the technology industry, yet the career opportunities are rapidly growing, with demand at an all-time high for STEM educators and industry professionals.

Laptops will be raffled to students between grades four and twelve who register and submit the required one-paragraph personal statement of their potential personal benefits from receiving computers via the chapter’s Eventbrite site.

The keynote speaker, Pinkett, says he embraces the opportunity to inspire young people, and help them become less intimidated by coursework and opportunities in technology. As the co-founder, chairman and chief executive officer of BCT Partners, Pinkett knows about entrepreneurship and opportunity for growth in technology, and insists on giving back.

The venue is the New Jersey Institute of Technology, located at 323 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Newark, N.J., 07103, and the event’s low-cost admission is five dollars.

BDPA Celebrates Johnson & Johnson Investment as $100k Platinum-Level Corporate Sponsor

Joining the ranks as one of this year’s National BDPA major corporate sponsors, Johnson & Johnson proudly announced their $100K Platinum Level sponsorship of BDPA’s 35th Annual National Conference on August 14-17, 2013 at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, DC. As a global member-focused technology organization with over 45 active chapters in the United States, BDPA continues to stand as a leader in delivering 21st century technological programs and is honored to partner with a world class organization such as Johnson & Johnson.

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 and diagnostics consumer health care company.

Monique Berry

"This financial support from Johnson & Johnson will allow BDPA to continue to offer computer technology education and professional development programs to our membership. We have benefited from six consecutive years of shared commitment to provide members with the skills they need to fill 21st-century jobs, and provide the United States with the workforce it needs to be innovative and competitive for decades to come," beamed Monique Berry, National BDPA President.

Since 1886, Johnson & Johnson has highlighted research and science in their commitment to enhance the quality of life for the world’s population. With over 250 operating companies in 57 different countries, and 120,200 employees, the Johnson & Johnson Platinum level sponsorship clearly demonstrates their impressive commitment to BDPA.

Regan Scruggs

According to Johnson & Johnson Business Relationship Manager Regan Scruggs, "Johnson & Johnson is excited and proud to continue our Platinum Level Sponsorship of BDPA, in 2013. We value our collaborative partnership to raise awareness of Information Technology throughout the community and the opportunity to expand the Johnson & Johnson IT team with talented recruits from BDPA events."

A major part of the sponsorship from Johnson & Johnson goes directly to the BDPA New Jersey chapter in support of its programs, scholarships and services.

JnJ Supports FIT Day in New Jersey

Goldie Bonney, BDPA New Jersey Chapter President says, “The sustained support from Johnson & Johnson over the past several years has enabled us to provide quality programs for members such as the High School Computer Competition (HSCC) and Families in Technology Day. This corporate sponsorship also helps our New Jersey area communities embrace technology. On behalf of BDPA New Jersey Chapter and the Board of Directors, we are extremely pleased and look forward to our continuing partnership with Johnson & Johnson.”

For more information on BDPA’s 35th Annual National Conference, contact Wayne Hicks, Director, BDPA Corporate Sales Department, corpsales@bdpa.org, (513) 284-4968.

BDPA iRadio Show: November 13, 2012

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) is very proud to be the creator of the BDPA iRadio Show. The show on November 13th was the 38th episode of our Internet Radio 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!

Listen to internet radio with BDPA on Blog Talk Radio

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The guests on the November 13th show:  

John Saunders III - Chief Program Officer, Institute for Responsible Citizenship - The Institute for Responsible Citizenship prepares high-achieving African American men for successful careers in business, law, government, public service, education, journalism, the sciences, medicine, ministry, and the arts. John T. Saunders, III (I ’05) is Chief Program Officer. He is a native of Lynn, Massachusetts and attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he participated in the distinguished Commonwealth College honors program and earned Phi Beta Kappa honors. After graduating from UMass in 2006, Saunders enrolled in a Master’s degree program at the Robert H. Wagner School of Public Service at New York University and graduated in 2008. Immediately following his graduation from NYU, he moved to Washington to begin his work with the Institute. Saunders was a member of the Institute’s second class, attending the 2004 and 2005 sessions. We look forward to hearing his story on the BDPA iRadio Show. His twitter handle is @ir4c  

Goldie Bonney - Chapter President, BDPA New Jersey - BDPA New Jersey is the 4th-largest chapter in the nation. Under the leadership of its president, Goldie Bonney, we have watched the chapter become a national powerhouse with powerful programs for young people and IT professionals. One of the unique programs hosted by BDPA New Jersey is its annual ‘Families in Technology Day’ complete with workshops, booths, games and a give-away of hundreds of laptop computers. Goldie wants to share plans for her chapters upcoming banquet as well as its 2013 HSCC program. We look forward to hearing her story on the BDPA iRadio Show. Her twitter handle is @afrikan_qween

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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!