Popular Technology TV: 'Micosoft Store'

Popular Technology TV (PTTV) features the latest technology innovations and multimedia programming content produced for video streams and television. PTTV is hosted by Sharrarne Morton (Morton Media). Programming is powered by BDPA Washington DC and bdpatoday with support from our information and communications technology industry partners for general audiences.



Nothing builds business like exposure in the marketplace. Let the PTTV television show help to raise your company profile and build excitement around your products. Cable and broadcast networks that air the show will be announced in February 2014. PTTV will start airing on those cable and broadcast networks in the Washington DC metropolitan area in March 2014.

Message from BDPA Washington DC Chapter President

Perry Carter

This week, students from Prince George's Community College (PGCC) attended a workshop at the Microsoft Store in Pentagon City with BDPA Washington DC chapter members.

Hosted by Professor, Sharrarne Morton, students from PGCC English and Journalism classes discussed their major courses of study and their passions ranging from Theater, Nursing, Psychology, Languages, and Music.

Microsoft presenters and BDPA members were able to map industry trends with the latest advances in applications for music, entertainment, health care, and language translation apps, within each of their respective industries. The workshop included a hands-on introduction to Windows 8.1, Surface2, and an Xbox One preview for gaming enthusiasts.

3D printing also was introduced. Each of the small jack-o-lanterns on display were "printed" using the MakerBot Replicator 2. For next-generation 3-D manufacturing, students were asked to imagine downloading one's favorite production in "3D" with music catalogs, props, and backdrops to "print" and assemble for their next show.

Door prize winners from this month's mixer at the Microsoft Store in Pentagon City were Monica Ellis-Goram (BDPA Baltimore) and Kenika Bynum (College Tribe, Washington, D.C.) Each won new Surface2 tablets from BDPA Washington DC.

Sincerely,
Perry Carter, president
BDPA Washington DC

VIDEO: Review of 2013 BDPA Technology Conference

35th Annual BDPA Technology Conference was held in Washington DC on August 14-17, 2013. The event marked the largest gathering of IT professionals of color in the nation ... and also included over 50 major corporate sponsors. The 4-day event included an awards gala, career fair, corporate hospitality receptions, IT Showcase, live entertainment, plenary sessions,workshops and a youth technology camp. This video gives a glimpse of the people and activity from this annual conference!



BDPA exists to advance the careers of African Americans in the IT industry from the classroom to the boardroom. There are 46 local BDPA chapters located around the nation. Visit http://www.bdpa.org or call (301) 584-3135 to ask questions or discuss further.

Video Credit: Sharrarne Morton (Morton Media) and Steve McMillan (Cape Fear Productions).

BDPA Leaders Tout Upcoming Career Fair on 'NewsTalk' in Washington DC

 

National BDPA founder Earl Pace and media mogul Sharrarne Morton share insights about the 35th annual BDPA Technology Conference on a recent episode of 'NewsTalk'.

Take a moment to enjoy the interview on the ABC affiliate network in Washington DC.

Earl, Sharrarne and other BDPA leaders are working hard to encourage heavy foot traffic at the BDPA Career Fair on August 16-17, 2013 at the Washington Hilton. Attend in person ... bring your resume and a friend! If you can't attend in person then you can still register on the BDPA Job Board.

Take Five: Sharrarne Morton (BDPA Washington DC)

Many have argued that BDPA is the 'best kept secret' in the IT industry and within the Black community. Few have taken steps to shine the light on BDPA programs and services as well as Sharrarne Morton. Sharrarne began her BDPA career as a media manager for our local BDPA chapter in Washington DC. She supported the creation of a television show, 'Popular Technology' featuring local and national BDPA executives. BDPA is looking for corporate sponsorship to produce over a dozen episodes of that television show in 2013. Sharrarne is a faculty member at Prince George's Community College as well as the owner of her own company, Morton Media.

Sharrarne demonstrated her masterful public relations and marketing skills as the 'mistress of ceremonies' for the 2012 National BDPA Technology Conference held earlier this year in Baltimore.

We asked Sharrarne to share her insights as part of our 'Take Five' Interview Series.

Here is what she had to say:

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1. How did you get involved with BDPA? - I was introduced to BDPA by Perry Carter. He was at an event that I was hosting to celebrate the kickoff of a new show that I was executive producing called, "It Takes A Village." He told me about the BDPA organization and asked if I would be interested in interviewing a few BDPA members for the show. I told him that I would. Shortly thereafter, I invited BDPA Past President Gina Billings and Tec-Masters CEO Marvin Carroll as guests on the show. I've been involved with BDPA ever since!
2. What do you see as the biggest benefit of your BDPA membership? - The biggest benefit of my BDPA membership is being exposed to some of the best and brightest African Americans in the country. I'm not a techie, so I was unfamiliar with the STEM world and the role that African Americans play within STEM. And, unfortunately, there are no news shows that highlight the incredible things that African Americans are doing in STEM. Thankfully, BDPA has exposed my family and I to a whole new world of Black scientists, chemists, engineers and mathematicians. Now, both of my children want to major in a STEM field when they go to college. I have also exposed my English and journalism students to the STEM world. It's been a win-win!
3. What future evolution or change would you like to see in BDPA? - I would like to see BDPA increase student membership and do more to increase awareness for students who may not be majoring in STEM, but whose field will eventually coincide with STEM, e.g., media and technology. Many students (and people in general) are intimidated by STEM. Perhaps BDPA can implement programs that will help lessen the "scare of math and science" for students, and in turn, increase student membership.
4. What would you like Corporate America to know about BDPA? - I would like Corporate America to know that BDPA is the best place from which to recruit and hire the best workforce in the world.
5. Any advice for people considering a donation to the BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF)? - My advice would be that if you want the best return on your investment (ROI), as well as a sound investment in the future of our children and their success, a donation to the BDPA Education and Technology Foundation beats any stock or bond, hands down!

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Please contact us by email (corpsales@bdpa.org) if you want to learn more about being a sponsor for the Popular Technology television show! Also, feel free to reply to this post if you have anything you want to say to (or about) Sharrarne's interview.