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.

Prudential Foundation

The Prudential Foundation invests over $25 million each year in grants that support the revitalization of communities and support Prudential employees' community engagement efforts.

The Prudential Foundation focuses its efforts in the following locations:

• Newark, NJ; and Hartford, CT. The Foundation makes significant investments through a combination of local and national partners to improve education, promote economic development, support the arts, and build the capacity of nonprofit organizations. The Newark Community Building Fund is a special initiative that supports grassroots organizations working to improve their neighborhoods and the quality of life of Newark residents.
• Philadelphia, PA; New York, NY; Chicago, IL; and Los Angeles, CA. In these locations, the Foundation looks for opportunities to improve education and engage in economic development efforts.
• Other cities. Dallas and Houston, TX; Dubuque, IA; Jacksonville, FL; Minneapolis, MN; Phoenix, AZ; and Scranton, PA. The Foundation focuses its efforts in education or economic development programs that provide opportunities for Prudential associates to be engaged.

To apply for funding, applicants must meet the specific criteria described in the Prudential Foundation Policies and Guidelines.

The Foundation receives and reviews proposals throughout the year. Grants that exceed $200,000 must be approved by the Board of Trustees, which meets three times a year, in February, June, and October. Staff responds to applicants within approximately 60 days.

For more information about The Prudential Foundation, please contact:


The Prudential Foundation
751 Broad Street, 15th Floor
Newark, NJ 07102-3777
(973) 802-4791
email: community.resources@prudential.com
It appears that this funding opportunity is open to our local BDPA chapters in Chicago, Dallas, Hartford, Houston, Los Angeles, New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia and Twin Cities. I hope that one of these chapters takes advantage of this funding opportunity!

Do you know any Prudential employees that might be willing to help us out?