Where Are They Now: Black IT Professional Magazine

Do any of you remember the Black IT Professional Magazine that we published back in 2004-2005 era? I was very proud to be national president when this glossy-covered magazine was a publication shared with all BDPA members and conference attendees.

There were a number of BDPA members, entrepreneurs and experts in the August 2004 issue of the magazine (see list below). I wonder where they are now?

• Robert Anthony - 'Securing Our Resources at Home and Abroad'
• Mario Armstrong (Mayor's Office of Baltimore) - who's who in IT
• Adrian Backus (Princeton Theological Seminary) - who's who in IT
• Tonee Bell (A Unity System) - 'Making His Mark in Computer Technology'
• Robert Bonow, MD - 'Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle'
• Vercilla Brown (BDPA Exec Director) - 'Membership message'
• Todd Stephen Burroughs - 'Securing America Post 9-11'
• Geary Broadnax (Dovarri) - 'IT Entrepreneurs Creating Our Own'
• Dale Bryant (The Bryant Group) - 'Finding Financial Security'
• Stampp Corbin (RetroBox) - 'IT Entrpreneurs Creating Our Own'
• Richard Campbell (Securiant) - 'Securing Our Future Through Technology'
• Tony Davis (ElliottRoth & Associates) - 'Supercharge Your Career'
• Sharon Dawes - 'Securing America Post 9-11'
• Linda DeLavallade (Hewitt Associates) - 'Supercharge Your Career'
• Lurita Doan (New Technology Management) - 'Securing Our Future Through Technology'
• David Dobrin - 'Securing America Post 9-11'
• Sonya Donaldson - 'Securing Our Future Through Technology'
• Pierre Dunagan (The Dunagan Group) - 'Finding Financial Security'
• William Farrow (Chicago Board of Trade) - 'Supercharge Your Career'
• Marvin Fields - 'Supercharge Your Career'
• Elizabeth Fife, Ph.D. (Center for Telecom Management) - 'Careers in Telecommunications'
• Ansel Floy (Medstar Health VNA) - who's who in IT
• Sharon Gazaway-Bell (Audio X-Press) - 'Team Building: Play Your Way to Profits'
• Chance Glenn, Ph.D. (Syncrodyne) - 'IT Entrepreneurs Creating Our Own'
• Melvin Gravely, Ph.D. (Institute for Entrepreneurial Thinking) - 'IT Entrepreneurs Creating Our Own'
• Charles Hickey (BDPA Los Angeles) - 'BDPA Member Invovled in Community Outreach'
• Wayne Hicks - BDPA president's message
• David Hinson (Wealth Management Network) - 'Finding Financial Security'
• Gerald Hoffman - 'Securing America Post 9-11'
• Pamela Horne (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts) - who's who in IT
• Jamal Jackson (Detroit MI) - letter to the editor
• Dr. Mae Jemison - 'Dr. Mae Jemison is Headliner at BDPA Conference'
• Pamela Jeter (Verizon Communications) - who's who in IT
• Channelle Johnson (Washington DC) - letter to the editor
• Josephine Johnson, MD - 'Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle'
• Marcus Johnson - 'Team Building: Play Your Way to Profits'
• Patrice Kelly - 'Team Building: Play Your Way to Profits'
• John Laney (CM IT Solutions) - 'IT Entrepreneurs Creating Our Own'
• David Malone (Information Logistics Group) - 'IT Entrepreneurs Creating Our Own'
• Cathy Marks (Houston TX) - letter to the editor
• John McCarthy - 'Securing America Post 9-11'
• Pamela McElvane - publisher's page
• Lamont Meeks (ComSys) - 'Securing Our Future Through Technology'
• Sheryl Nance-Nash - 'IT Entrepreneurs Creating Our Own'
• Sherreen Ogletree (Wiltech Systems Group) - who's who in IT
• Deborah Owens - 'Get Your Wealth Online'
• James Owens - 'Careers in Telecommunications'
• Tyrone Parker (Hewitt Associates) - 'Supercharge Your Career'
• Francis Pereira, Ph.D. (Center for Telecom Management) - 'Careers in Telecommunications'
• Bruce Scheier - 'Securing America Post 9-11'
• Matthew Scott - 'Finding Financial Security'
• Mary Spio (Gray-Spio Digital Media) - 'IT Entrepreneurs Creating Our Own'
• Lolita Standifer - 'BDPA Member Involved in Community Outreach'
• Stephen Trilling (Symantec) - 'Careers in Telecommunications'
• Arthur Varnardo (T. Rowe Price) - 'Get Your Wealth Online'
• Montressa Washington - 'Get Your Wealth Online'
• Carolyn White - 'Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle' and 'Making His Mark in Computer Technology'
• Gregory White (Watson Wyatt Worldwide) - 'Careers in Telecommunications'
• Rebecca Whitener (EDS) - 'Securing Our Resources at Home and Abroad'
• Charmon Parker Williams, Ph.D. - 'Supercharge Your Career'
• Don Woodard, MD - 'Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle'
• Annette Yates (BDPA Richmond) - 'Member Spotlight'

Where are they now?

Where Are They Now? BDPA Atlanta Chapter Presidents

BDPA Atlanta is one of the oldest chapters in the nation. The chapter has a potent legacy in BDPA history. The chapter hosted national BDPA technology conferences in 1986 ('Securing Your Professional Future'), 1999 ('Closing the Gap in Information Technology') and 2008 ('Harnessing Emerging Technologies to Advance IT Careers').

The chapter trained high school students well enough to win the silver medal at the national computer competitions held in Chicago (2001) and Orlando (2002). The members of those two high-flying HSCC teams won Bemley Scholarships. These Bemley Scholars are: Joseph Altamirondo, Michael Belinsky, Simon Elfimov, Tanisha Gary, Zachary Horton, David Hoytt, Tristan Kyles, Ashley Stewart and Jessica Tipton.

BDPA Atlanta chapter reached the mountaintop when the HSCC team they trained took home the gold medal in Baltimore (2012)!  The HSCC championship students are:  Jimmy Nguyen, Yash Shirsath, Sunheng Taing and Allen Warner.

2012 HSCC Champions!

I hope that these HSCC alumni are still connected to BDPA. We want HSCC testimonials from each of these young people if they can be located.

Four of the past BDPA Atlanta chapter presidents (Millicent Fuller, Felicia Jones, Michael McCrimmon and Teresa Williams) also served as members of the National BDPA Executive Committee. It would be great if we could hear from each of the past BDPA Atlanta chapter presidents:

• Sheryl Franklin (1981-1982)
• Jackie Snow (1983)
• Charles Sutherland (1984)
• Gerald Dapremont (1985)
• Larry Calloway (1986)
• Spencer McKinney (1987)
• Willie Odoms (1988-1989)
• Beverly Meadows (1990-1991)
• Tony Dean (1992-1993)
• Millicent Fuller (1994-1995)
• Michael McCrimmon (1996-1997)
• Gwen Williams (1998-1999)
• Johnathan Watkins (2000-2001)
• Carmen Murray (2002-2003)
• Perry Chase (2004)
• Denise Wilmot (2005-2006)
• Teresa Williams (2007-2009)
• Carter Hill (2010-2011)
• Felicia Jones (2012-2013) 
• Derrick Brown (2013-2015)

Where are they now?

Related articles

• Tech Expresso Cafe: Derrick Brown (BDPA Atlanta)
• Message from BDPA Atlanta Chapter President
• Tech Expresso Cafe': BDPA Atlanta Chapter Kickoff for 2014 Computer Camp

2014 Google Summer Internships

Google invites you to come join us for a unique summer experience, including a 10-12 week paid internship and professional development workshops. Take a chance and discover what it’’s like to work at a technology company. Be challenged. Become an expert. Work together and make an impact. Be bold.  Check out the full list of Google summer internships right away!


Please visit Planning and Preparing for Scholarships (Internships, Scholarships, Etc) to learn about other opportunities like this one!

Related articles

• Is a summer internship in your future? It's time to apply for internships
• Career Gateways: Tech Companies Offering Internships

Introduce Yourself

Wayne Hicks, BETF Exec Director

Hotep! My vision for the BDPA Foundation blog is simple. I want you to feel that you learn about the vibrant programs and services offered by BDPA on a global basis. I want our blog to become a welcoming and interactive place for BDPA members and supporters to come together and share information with one another. Just relax for a moment in your hectic surfing through cyberspace ... relax and enjoy the vibe of our BETF-Blog.

We hope that our voice is a worthy one in the blogosphere. The BETF-Blog strives to share information that uplifts people of African descent throughout the information technology industry. There are a number of ways that you can stay connected in a timely manner. However, we realize that it is your voice that makes us better. Please comment freely on any post that you read here in the BETF-Blog.

If you have any questions, or want to promote your chapter or your technology-based blog then you can do so right here! Just leave a 'comment' to this post.

Delta Air Lines Foundation

Delta Air Lines Foundation continually strives to be a respected community partner in the neighborhoods where they do business and live. Through the Delta Air Lines Foundation and Sponsorship & Promotional Marketing areas, Delta seeks partnership opportunities that will increase brand awareness and loyalty, generate revenue, communicate customer benefits and new Delta products/services, and support positive community involvement.

Because of the large number of proposals they receive and limited resources we have to support them, all requests must be submitted via this website at least 90 days prior to the event for consideration. To submit a proposal, you will need to create an account and complete the questionnaire. All requests must include the following for consideration: Advertising/media plans, hospitality and event exposure opportunities, cost/benefits, and exclusivity in the airline category.

Once a proposal has been submitted, an acknowledgment email will be sent to your in-box.  Delta will review your proposal and determine if your opportunity is a strategic fit, and will respond to all proposals within 4 weeks of submission.

This seems like a great funding source for any chapter that requires air transportation to attend a regional or national conference.

Happy Anniversary: BDPA Cincinnati Chapter

BDPA Cincinnati chapter was founded in December 1989 when several African American IT professionals were approached at HP (formerly Digital Equipment Corporation) by BDPA Dayton chapter president Bill Maynard.  Bill wanted them to start a BDPA chapter in the city of Cincinnati.  After researching the organization and discussing the great opportunities that BDPA could bring to Black IT professionals in Cincinnati ... the challenge was accepted!

The charter group of visionaries began the search for chapter support by targeting technology-based individuals in the City of Cincinnati.  The strategy was to approach individuals affiliated with the Fortune-500 based companies in the area.  The discussions with these corporations focused on the needs and potential value of such an organization as BDPA.

The discussions with the Cincinnati business community were successful.   Everett Gregory, Neal Johnson, Brenda Johnson, Charles Cooper and Gina Billings were delighted with the BDPA Cincinnati chapter concept and what it would bring to the African American community.  They made the official request that National BDPA accept a charter as a new chapter.  The charter was approved in December 1989 ... and BDPA Cincinnati chapter was officially formed.

Chapter's Past Presidents

BDPA Cincinnati chapter has been very successful over the years.  The chapter has been recognized for its many community outreach programs and membership development.  The success of the chapter is a result of the efforts of chapter volunteers, supporters and sponsors.   The accomplishments were helped by the leaders that served on the chapter's board of directors and corporate advisory council over the years.  These people quietly and consistently gave their time, talent and energy to build up BDPA Cincinnati as a premier organization within the technology community.   These men and women of all races, ages and genders made a commitment to excellence with their BDPA involvement.  BDPA Cincinnati chapter will continue to grow, prosper and provide support to the membership and the community.

Join us in celebrating the 24th anniversary of BDPA Cincinnati chapter!

Where Are They Now? BDPA New York Chapter Presidents

BDPA New York chapter was founded in January 1983. The idea took hold at the end of 1982 when Stan White (New Jersey Chapter) contacted several of his co-workers at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Greater New York inquiring if we wanted to get together to talk about an organization named Black Data Processing Associates. A group of people met in the Blue Cross cafeteria and decided to pursue the idea.

The initial charter members for BDPA New York chapter included: Willie Cummings, Barbara Gordon, Debra Johnson, Ernest Molina, Stan Seymore and Stan White. Their decision to create a chapter was a good one as evidenced by the fact that BDPA New York was named 'Chapter of the Year' in 1988, 1999, 2011 and 2012. I was a member of the BDPA New York chapter in 1996-1997 while living and working on Long Island.

Judaea Lane, George Baker, Renee McClure & Tony Codrington

It would be great to hear from our past, current and future BDPA New York chapter presidents. Here is the list as best we can tell:

• Ernest Molina (1982-1983)
• Willie Cummings (1984-1985)
• Anita Wilson (1986)
• George Baker (1987)
• Michael Robinson (1988-1989)
• Roxanne Burrus (1990)
• Tony Codrington (1991-1992)
• Roger Dunn (1993)
• Renee McClure (1994-1997)
• Shirley Monrose (1998-1999)
• Jeffry Kimble (2000-2005)
• Judaea Lane (2006-2010)
• Renetta English (2011-2013)
• Tyrone McKinney (2014-2015)

Two of the past New York chapter presidents served as national officers: Roxanne Burrus (national BDPA treasurer) and Renee McClure (national BDPA president).

The chapter hosted the national BDPA Technology Conference in 1991 ('Getting to the Core of Technology').

The chapter has been one of the most dominant chapters in the national high school computer competition (HSCC). BDPA New York chapter won the national HSCC championship in four different years (1988, 1989, 1992 and 1999).

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) awarded Bemley Scholarships to New York chapter students:  Kevin Castillo (2009), Frantzy Jean-Phillips (2009), Christopher Lezama (1999), Kevin O'Neil (1999), Donald Porter (1999), Cazemba Richards (2009), Alan Rosales (2009) and Barine Tee (1999).

We've mentioned alot of names in this blog post.   The question remains:

Where are they now?

Happy Birthday: George Williams, Past National BDPA President

Please join us in wishing a wonderful birthday to our past national president -- George Williams. I've known George since I first joined BDPA back in the late 1980s. He was a powerful figure in the BDPA Cleveland chapter before he set a record for the longest-tenured national president in BDPA history.

George has an information technology and business career background that spans thirty years of professional experience in marketing, sales and management within corporate, small business, non-profit and civic organizations. A number of major accomplishments occurred under George's leadership of the national organization in the late 1990s:

• implemented a new national Corporate Alliance program that increased annual sponsorship revenue
• implemented a comprehensive Enterprise Transformation Plan that completely reorganized the national organization
• inspired major annual conference events in Philadelphia (1995), Atlanta (1996), Houston (1997), Orlando (1998) and Atlanta (1999)
  
• signed Memorandum of Understanding to promote joint technology projects between BDPA and National Urban League

As a life-long Cleveland native, graduate of the Cleveland Public School System, John Carroll University and Leadership Cleveland, George understands the intricacies of doing business and volunteering time in the Northeast Ohio community. George was a co-founder of the Consortium of African America Organizations (CAAO). He has actively served on the Board of the Cleveland Education Fund, the Cuyahoga Community College Unified Technologies Center and the John Adams High School Vocational Education Advisory Group.

George is a father of two daughters and grandfather of four children. He is a remarkable role model for his family ... and for BDPA. I encourage you to share some BDPA-love with George as he celebrates his born-day! Happy Birthday George!

Happy Birthday: Monique Berry (National BDPA President)

Today, we celebrate the born day of Monique Berry! Monique is our National BDPA president. She has been a member of the BDPA Philadelphia Chapter since 2003. Currently, she is concluding her 2-year term as National BDPA president. Anyone that knows Monique is aware of her passion for BDPA. In her own words,

"As anyone who knows me can attest, I am and have always been very passionate about BDPA. I can remember when I was elected president of the Philadelphia chapter people telling me that I would get tired and burnt out and that my passion would wear off over time. Well, it hasn't. I'm in my second year as a chapter president and as passionate as ever."

Monique is employed by Vanguard; a mutual fund company located in Malvern, Pennsylvania. Her background includes experience in ERP systems, LMS systems and software development.

Monique is a committed community advocate serving on the boards of community organizations, family and children's services, and faith based community ministries. She's been a volunteer elementary school instructor for Junior Achievement and a computer instructor for Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia.

Monique is a member of several professional and civic organizations, including the American Society for Training & Development, Project Management Institute, Network of Women in Computer Technology, Society for Human Resource Management and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Her experiences in a variety of boards and organizations bode well for BDPA.

"I can promise that I will conduct myself with civility and respect for others, discussing differences in an open and honest manner. Moreover, I promise to remain passionate about BDPA. I am looking for your passion and committed support of BDPA. Think you are up for the challenge? I urge you to join our conversation here. We are going to change the game."

I join with all of BDPA-nation is wishing national president a truly magnificent birthday!

Happy Birthday: Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806)

Benjamin Banneker was born on this date in 1731. He was a self-taught, Black astronomer and mathematician.

He was born in Ellicott, MD. At the age of 22, Benjamin Banneker created a working clock from wood after studying the watch of a friend. It took him two years to finish the clock, which kept accurate time in hours, minutes, and seconds until his death.

Banneker became interested in astronomy through a local surveyor named George Ellicott, who loaned him astronomy books. In 1791, George Washington commissioned George Ellicott and French engineer Pierre L'Enfant to help plan the construction of the nation's capital on a ten-square-mile area of land. Ellicott asked Banneker to be his assistant. A dispute between some Americans and Frenchmen led L'Enfant to abandon it and take the drafted plans with him. Over the course of two days, Banneker reproduced the intricate plans from memory, preventing a major delay.

Shortly after returning to his farm in April 1791, Banneker issued his first of some ten annual almanacs, which were published by several printers and sold widely in both England and the United States. Banneker charted the movement of heavenly bodies and successfully predicted several solar eclipses. Farmers and navigators relied on this important information.

Banneker and his sisters were born free and grew up on a self-sufficient, 100-acre tobacco farm. Growing up, he spent much of his free time devising and solving mathematical puzzles. It was not until after his retirement from farming at the age of 59 that Banneker began to study astronomy through borrowed books, becoming a man of science and mathematics through unassisted experimentation and close observation of natural phenomena.

Benjamin Banneker died in 1806.

BDPA History: 1st Annual High School Computer Competition

There have been 28 national High School Computer Competition (HSCC) championships with over 1,000 HSCC alumni from all over the nation since the event was created by Dr. Jesse Bemley in 1986.

Dr. Bemley shared his memory of that first competition with us:

The National BDPA Competition was held at Maynard Jackson High School (formerly known as Southside Comprehensive High School), a magnet school for computer science, in Atlanta at 9:00am, September 20, 1986. The competition was made up of two sessions ... an oral question and answer session and a hands-on programming session. The judges ruled the DC team as the winner of the 1st Annual National BDPA Computer Competition and the announcement was made that night at the dinner dance where the trophies were presented. The team trained by BDPA Washington DC team received a long standing ovation.

My understanding is that only two teams competed in that first year: Atlanta and Washington DC.  I would love to learn the names of the high school students who competed in 1986. Don't you wonder where they are now?

OURstory: Lewis Latimer (1848-1928)

Lewis Howard Latimer was born on this date in 1848. He was an African American inventor and innovator in the electric lighting industry. [SOURCE]

As a boy Latimer worked in his father’s barbershop in Chelsea, Massachusetts. He joined the Union Navy during the Civil War and after an honorable discharge in 1865 he found work with a firm of patent lawyers. Although Latimer was hired as an office boy, he cultivated drafting skills in his spare time until he was qualified for blueprint work. Latimer brainstormed his own work, patenting in 1874 a "pivot bottom" for water closets on trains. His high-caliber draftsmanship impressed Alexander Graham Bell, whose 1876 telephone blueprints were drawn up by Latimer.

In 1880 Latimer went to work for the inventor Hiram Maxim, who ran the United States Electric Lighting Company in Bridgeport, Connecticut and was one of Thomas Edison's prime competitors in the institutionalization of electric light. Under Maxim, Latimer supervised the installation of electric light in New York, Philadelphia, London, and Montreal. He also developed other inventions of his own, co-patenting an electric lamp with Joseph V. Nichols in 1881, and, most important, refining light-bulb technology in 1882. In 1884 he was invited to work for Maxim's arch rival, Thomas Alva Edison, in New York.

An expert electrical engineer, Latimer's work for Edison was critical for the following reasons: his thorough knowledge of electric lighting and power guided Edison through the process of filing patent forms properly at the U. S. Patent Office, protecting the company from infringements of his inventions; Latimer was also in charge of the company library, collecting information from around the world, translating data in French and German to protect the company from European challenges. He became Edison's patent investigator and expert witness in cases against persons trying to benefit from Edison's inventions without legal permission.

Edison encouraged Latimer to write the book, Incandescent Electric Lighting: A Practical Description of the Edison System. Published in 1890, it was extremely popular as it explained how an incandescent lamp produces light in an easy-to-understand manner.

On February 11, 1918, Latimer became one of the 28 charter members of the Edison Pioneers, the only African American in this prestigious, highly selective group. [photo: Latimer is standing left; Edison is the one with the cane]

After leaving Edison, Latimer worked for a patent consultant firm until 1922 when failing eyesight caused an end to his career. His health began to fail following the death of his beloved wife Mary Wilson Latimer in 1924. To cheer and encourage him to carry on, his children, two daughters, had a book of his poems printed in 1925 in honor of his 77th birthday.

The poems are beautifully sensitive, and complement Latimer's designation as a "Renaissance Man" who painted, played the flute, wrote poetry and plays. Lewis Howard Latimer settled in Flushing, New York and lived there until his death in 1928. He was an active member of the local community, teaching English and drafting to immigrants at the Henry Street Settlement in 1906. In 1968, Latimer was posthumously honored by the borough of Brooklyn when a public school was named after him.

It is important that we tell OURstory ... we cannot rely on his-story!

BDPA IT Showcase Winners (2003-2013)

Milt Haynes and I asked Dr. Jesse Bemley to create a program in 2003 for our High School Computer Competition alumni and college students. We wanted the program to encourage more African American students to seek Ph.D recognition in the hard science fields.

Dr. Bemley created the Information Technology (IT) Showcase.

The BDPA IT Showcase allows student presenters from educational institutions all over the United States to showcase their research papers on advanced computing topics to an audience of students and IT professionals. Some of the topics covered in the past include: intelligent technologies, wearable computing technologies, web technologies, parallel computing technologies, computing curricula and computer graphics technologies.

Here are past IT Showcase Winners:

2003 - Philadelphia, PA
High School Division

• 1st place: Mr. Bryan Bemley, Washington, DC
• 2nd place: Mr. Eric Lamison-White, Bowie, MD
• 3rd place: Ms. Jessica Eggleston, Columbia, SC

College Division

• 1st place: Ms. Swathi Nibhanupudi, University of Cincinnati
• 2nd place: Mr. Wesley Williams, University of Chattanooga
• 3rd place: Mr. Ayyub Wright, University of Memphis
  

2004 - Dallas, TX
High School Division

• 1st place: Andre Strong, Thomas Edison HS, Alexandria, VA
• 2nd place: Eric Lamison-White, Bowie HS, Bowie,MD
• 3rd place: Julian Waller, Carroll HS, Washington DC

College Division

• 1st place: Robert Garcia, DePaul University
• 2nd place: Jessye Bemley, North Carolina A&T University
• 3rd place: Chris Holt, Southern Illinois University
  

2005 - Detroit, MI
High School Division

• 1st place: Bryan Bemley, Carroll HS, Washington, DC
• 2nd place: Eric Lamison-White, Bowie HS, Bowie, MD
• 3rd place: Joshua Wallace, Duval HS, Lanham, MD

College Division

• 1st place: Chris Holt, Southern Illinois University
• 2nd place: Darrell Edmonds, North Carolina A&T University
• 3rd place: Darren Lamison-White, Bowie State University
  

2006 - Los Angeles, CA
High School Division

• 1st Place: Eric Lamison-White, Bowie High School, Bowie, MD
• 2nd Place: Malcom Parker, Mayfair High School, Los Angeles, CA
• 3rd Place: Alicia Simmonds, Frederick Douglass HS, Upper Marlboro, MD

College Division

• 1st Place: Raymond McGill, Jr., Cornell University
• 2nd Place: Jessye Bemley, North Carolina A&T State University
• 3rd Place: Myles Singleton, Illinois State University
  

2007 - Washington, DC
High School Division

• 1st Place: Jahmal Chase, School for Creative and Performing Arts, Cincinnati, OH
• 2nd Place: Amber Gosby, Mt. Healthy High School, Cincinnati, OH
• 3rd Place: Christian Loggins, Eastern High School, Washington, DC

College Division

• 1st Place: Delano Robinson, University of Minnesota Crookston
• 2nd Place: Jessye Bemley, North Carolina A&T State University
• 3rd Place: Darren Lamison-White, Bowie State University
  

2008 - Atlanta, GA
High School Division

• 1st Place: Fred Smith, III, Charter School of Wilmington, Wilmington, D
• 2nd Place: Tyrell Ferguson, North Point High School, Waldorf, MD
• 3rd Place: Cadeal Chase, Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts, Baltimore, MD

College Division

• 1st Place: Tiffany McCormick, North Carolina A&T State University
• 2nd Place: Bryan Bemley, Bowie State University
• 3rd Place: Jessye Bemley, North Carolina A&T State University

2009 IT Showcase Students

2009 - Raleigh, NC
High School Division

• 1st place: Mr. Naaman Cephas, Hodgson Vo-Tec High School (Newark, DE)
• 2nd place: Mr. Marcus Smith, Pencader Charter High School (New Castle DE)
• 3rd place: Ms. Whitney Wilson, Charter School of Wilmington (Wilmington, DE)

College Division

• 1st place: Mr. Frederick Smith III, California University of Pennsylvania
• 2nd place: Mr. Bryan Bemley, Bowie State University
• 3rd place: Ms. Jovanna Foreman, North Carolina Central University

2010 IT Showcase Winners

2010 - Philadelphia, PA
High School Division

• 1st place: Ms. Cherise Poole, Pencader Charter High School (New Castle DE)
• 2nd place: Ms. Kenyatta Malloy, Friendly High School (Washington DC)
• 3rd place: Ms. Whitney Wilson, Pencader Charter High School (New Castle DE)

College Division

• 1st place: Mr. Frederick Smith III, California University of Pennsylvania
  
• 2nd place: Mr. Naaman Cephas, Delaware Technical & Community College
  
• 3rd place: Mr. Ahmed Mahamad, University of Minnesota

2011 - Chicago, IL
High School Division

• 1st place: Ms. Whitney Wilson, Pencader Charter High School (New Castle DE)
• 2nd place: Ms. Nathasha Sowell, Warren Central High School (Indianapolis, IN)
• 3rd place: Mr. Marcus Smith, Pencader Charter High School (New Castle DE)

College Division

• 1st place: Mr. Michael Bijou, Bowie State University
  
• 2nd place: Ms. Shaneece Davis, North Carolina Central University
  
• 3rd place: Mr. Bryan Bemley, Bowie State University

2012 - Baltimore, MD
High School Division

• 1st place: Ms. Tyra Foulks, Irmo High School (Columbia, SC)
• 2nd place: Mr. Wesley Walker, Groveport Madison High School (Groveport, OH)
• 3rd place: Ms. Brandi Taylor, Irmo High School (Columbia, SC)

College Division

• 1st place: Mr. Michael Bijou, Bowie State University
  
• 2nd place: Mr. Bryan Bemley, Bowie State University
  
• 3rd place: Mr. Adwait Walimbe, University of Minnesota

2013 - Baltimore, MD
High School Division

• 1st place: Mr. Jared Sherrod, Delaware Academy of Public Safety and Security (Wilmington, DE)
• 2nd place: Mr. Ian Crowder, Oak Park River Forest High School (Oak Park, IL)
• 3rd place: Ms. Brandi Taylor, Irmo High School (Columbia, SC)

College Division

• 1st place: Ms. Jazzmine Bess, Florida A&M University
  
• 2nd place: Ms. Jessica Boardley, University of Delaware
  
• 3rd place: Mr. Bryan Bemley, Bowie State University

 These are truly some remarkable students. We will follow their educational progress to determine how many of them receive their Ph.D. in the hard science field. In the meantime, it would be great to hear from you. What are your thoughts as you review this list of winners?

Rest in Peace: Wintino Jones (1958-2009)

Wintino Jones passed away in August 2009 at a Philadelphia hospital. I last saw Wintino the week before his death in Raleigh NC for the national BDPA conference. Tomorrow is not promised to any of us.

Wintino is one of the most loyal and devoted BDPA brothers that I ever met. He never sought fanfare. You were as likely to see Wintino in the back of the room or on a lobby couch as you were to see him on stage. However, his warm and welcome greeting whenever you saw him was not to be missed or forgotten. I worked with Wintino back in the day on BDPA membership issues. He always brought a smile to my face with his humor and with his ability to 'cut to the chase'.

In recent years I would see Wintino at the annual conference. He was a wonderful bid whist partner if you were lucky enough to sit across from him. I will miss Wintino. My prayers go out to his wife, children and family.



Rest in peace Bro. Jones...

National BDPA Conference History (1979-2013)

We want to have an interactive blog. Here is a list of the past 35 national BDPA technology conferences. Take a look at the themes and locations. Let your memories roam on the networking, education and fun that you had as a participant at one or more of these annual conferences. How many of these did you attend?

• 2013 - "Diverse Opportunities in the Age of Convergence" (Washington DC)
• 2012 - "Transforming the IT Professional" (Baltimore, MD)
• 2011 - "Ignite, Inspire & Empower: The GPS of Future Technologists" (Chicago, IL)
• 2010 - "Access for All" (Philadelphia, PA)
• 2009 - "Challenges for Today, Strategies for Tomorrow" (Raleigh, NC)
• 2008 - "Harnessing Emerging Technologies to Advance IT Careers" (Atlanta, GA)
• 2007 - "Global Strategy for the IT Professional" (Washington DC)
• 2006 - "Picturing the Future of Information Technology" (Los Angeles, CA)
• 2005 - "Driving Innovation, Bringing Value and Embracing Change" (Detroit, MI)
• 2004 - "BDPA: Securing Our Future Through Technology" (Dallas, TX)
• 2003 - "Information Technology: From the Classroom to the Boardroom" (Philadelphia, PA)
• 2002 - "Changing the Culture of IT: From Access to Ownership" (Orlando, FL)
• 2001 - "Empowering the Nation Through Information" (Chicago, IL)
• 2000 - "Taking IT to the Net: From High-Tops to High-Tech" (Washington, DC)
• 1999 - "Closing the Gap in Information Technology" (Atlanta, GA)
• 1998 - "Unveiling the Magic of Emerging Technologies" (Orlando, FL)
• 1997 - "Looking at Tomorrow, Today"(Houston, TX)
• 1996 - "Building World Class Skills for Information Technology" (Atlanta, GA)

• 1995 - "Linking Business, Education and Technology" (Philadelphia, PA)
• 1994 - "Unleashing the Power of a Creative People" (Cleveland, OH)
• 1993 - "Cultivating Tomorrow’s Leaders in the Heart of America" (Kansas City, MO)
• 1992 - "Shaping the Information Technology Professional: Current and Future" (Detroit, MI)
• 1991 - "BDPA Getting to the Core of Technology" (New York, NY)
• 1990 - "Education and Technology Bonding for Excellence" (Washington, DC)
• 1989 - "Ideas in the Making" (Los Angeles, CA)
• 1988 - "Growth and Success by Design" (Chicago, IL)
• 1987 - "A Bridge to Success" (New Orleans, LA)
• 1986 - "Securing Your Professional Future" (Atlanta, GA)
• 1985 - "A Decade of Professional Growth" (Philadelphia, PA)
• 1984 - "Information Processing: A Vote for the Future" (Cleveland, OH)
• 1983 - "Rise to the Challenge" (Newark, NJ)
• 1982 - "Entrepreneurship: A Successful Attitude" (Detroit, MI)
• 1981 - "Growth Through Professional Association" (Philadelphia, PA)
• 1980 - "A New Era of Minority Involvement in Data Processing" (Washington, DC)
• 1979 - "The Role of the Black Technical Organization" (Philadelphia, PA)

Which was your first national conference? Which was your favorite national conference? What is your best conference memory? C'mon, let's talk!

BDPA Chapters on Twitter

There are a growing number of BDPA chapters with Twitter accounts.  These are local BDPA chapters that wish to reach out to all current, former and future members via the Twitter network.   I encourage any BDPA members on Twitter to take a moment to follow their local chapter as shown on the following list:

1. Atlanta - @atlantabdpa
2. Baton Rouge - @bdpabatonrouge * NEW *
3. Charlotte - @bdpacharlotte
4. Chicago - @bdpachicago  
5. Cincinnati - @bdpacincy
6. Columbus - @bdpacolumbus
7. Dallas - @bdpadallas
8. Detroit - @bdpadetroit
9. Greater Columbia - @gcbdpa
10. Indianapolis - @bdpa_indy
11. Los Angeles - @bdpala
12. Memphis - @bdpamemphis
13. New Jersey - @bdpanewjersey 
14. New York - @bdpanewyork 
15. Orlando - @bdpaorlando
16. Philadelphia - @bdpaphilly 
17. Southern Minnesota - @smn_bdpa
18. St. Louis - @bdpastl
19. Twin Cities - @bdpatwincities
20. Washington DC - @bdpadc

Other BDPA-related Twitter accounts include:

1. National BDPA - @nationalbdpa
2. BDPA Education and Technology Foundation - @bdpa
3. BDPA Technology Conference - @bdpa_conference
4. BDPAToday - @bdpatoday

Finally, it should be noted that you can follow all BDPA chapters on Twitter by clicking here -- http://twitter.com/BDPA/bdpa-chapters.

Please let me know if there are other BDPA-related Twitter accounts that we should add to the above list.   We hope to eventually see all 46 local BDPA chapters with a Twitter account.

BDPA Newsletters from Chapters Around the Country

RECENT UPDATES: New York

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BETF-Blog Readers, would you like to see information about programs and services being offered all over BDPA nation? Here are some recent newsletters issued from around the country:

1. National BDPA (Nov 2009) - 4-page BDPA-LINK contains articles about a BDPA entrepreneur (Carole Johnson), Windows 7, 2010 BDPA conference flyer and a map of local BDPA chapters.
2. BDPA Atlanta (Oct 2012) - Digital newsletter with president's letter, articles on recent chapter webinars, national conference review and an update on the chapter's championship HSCC team.
3. BDPA Bay Area (Mar 2010) - 1-page VOICE focused on Oracle scholarship announcement, Cyber risks and opportunities, Microsoft Windows 7 and much more.
4. BDPA Chicago (Jun 2012) - 1-page ECLIPSE contains information on upcoming membership drive, community outreach efforts taking place at Soldier Field, and announcement of the keynote speaker for the upcoming annual education banquet.
5. BDPA Cincinnati (Aug 2010) - 4-page INFORMATION EXCHANGE contains articles focused on 2010 BDPA Technology Conference recap, future direction of the chapter, pillars for improvement and article on strategic planning.
6. BDPA Cleveland (Mar 2011) - Visions Newsletter features a six-page article of BDPA Cleveland Chapter activities that occurred during the month of February.
7. BDPA Detroit (Nov 2008) - 4-page newsletter with articles on BDPA entrepreneur Carole Johnson, Windows 7, 2010 conference registration and map of BDPA chapters around the country.
8. BDPA Houston (Dec 2001) - 12-page newsletter with articles on Windows XP, message from chapter president, Wireless E911, professional development, 2001 conference highlights, chapter member of the quarter, getting started with LINUX, culture change, BFTAW announcement and membership application.
9. BDPA Los Angeles (Nov 2012) - Constant Contact newsletter with message from the chapter president, upcoming chapter programs, PSI Job Fair information, BDPA iRadio podcast and list of corporate sponsors.
10. BDPA New Jersey (Sep 2009) - 6-page newsletter with message from chapter president, members on the move, Families in Technology Day and article on energy program for Newark school.
11. BDPA New York (Dec 2012) - 6-page newsletter with message from the chapter president on the remarkable accomplishments that the chapter made in 2012.  Reviewing these accomplishments clearly shows all of us why the chapter has won back-to-back 'Chapter of the Year' awards!
12. BDPA Northern Delaware (Aug 2010) - 4-page newsletter with articles on national IT Showcase competition, upcoming scholarship banquet, 2010 conference highlights, HSCC alumni update, photo album, message from the chapter president and membership corner.
13. BDPA Orlando (Jan 2010) - Online newsletter with articles on Enterprise Florida, Orlando Business Journal job postings, Florida's best companies to work for in 2009, resume tips, PMP exam prep course, entrepreneurs, 2010 national BDPA conference and a message from the chapter president.
14. BDPA Richmond (Dec 2007) - 1-page newsletter with articles on fundraiser, chapter workshop, 2007 national BDPA Technology Conference updates and information on BDPA VCU.
15. BDPA Southern Minnesota (May 2007) - 10-page newsletter with articles on membership benefits, student testimonials, new chapter website, program meeting updates, bios of chapter board of directors and a message from the chapter president.
16. BDPA St. Louis (June 2012) - 2-page newsletter with highlights on the most recent program meeting with local chief information officer as well as updates on coming events in St. Louis area.
17. BDPA Triangle (Sep 2009) - 7-page Connection newsletter with 2009 conference review, message from the chapter president, introduction of new president-elect Carl Hill, sponsor appreciation message and articles on Johnson and Johnson's Zack Lemelle, federal IT jobs, top strategic technologies and virtualization.
18. BDPA Washington DC (Nov 2012) - 28-page bdpatoday features Super Storm Sandy update, chapter calendar of events, message from National BDPA president, chapter awards banquet info, BDPA local chapter news from around the nation, BDPA Job Board update, ICT industry news and much more.

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Am I the only one who misses The BDPA Insider?  That was a weekly compilation of blog posts, BDPA-related articles and Technology-based articles is the brainchild of National BDPA CIO Milt Haynes.


You can find repository of prior BDPA newsletters in the files section of our BDPA-Communications YahooGroup. You may need to subscribe to the BDPA-Communications YG before you can download the files located in that repository.

However, we would love to post a link to your chapter's most recent newsletter right here on the BETF-Blog. Our vision is to have 45 chapter newsletters listed here. Of course, it would be nice if all chapter newsletters would publish information about the BDPA Education and Technology Foundation in each issue as well!

Is your chapter's most recent newsletter listed?

2012 BDPA Conference Review by Alphonse Porter (Atlanta)

2012 National BDPA Conference:

A Rookie’s Experience

Alphonse Porter

A lot of time has passed since the last time I went to a conference. But years ago, I attended a conference multiple times a year. This year I decided to attend the annual National BDPA Technology Conference for the first time ever. Baltimore was the host city this year, with the conference being held at the beautiful Hilton Baltimore, located across the street from the historic Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles.

The opening presentation was given by Wal-Mart senior vice president of IT strategic services Ben Hasan. Mr. Hasan had a very inspirational story. He dropped out of college and was raising a family. Hasan was being generous to a friend and was helping her with school. As a result of his generosity, the friend decided to help Hasan return to college. Mr. Hasan is now a leading executive with Wal-Mart.

Tom Hempfield

The second morning session was a presentation of “How Emerging Technology is Changing the World” by HP executive Tom Hempfield. The interesting concept regarding this presentation was how servers are used differently. There is so much data being created, minute by minute, that speed and a large space are essential in today’s world. Being able to use multiple servers gives IT professionals the ability to effectively analyze that data. This gives companies the benefit of being able to predict trends in market area. This concept is often called “Big Data”. After these wonderful presentations, it was time for lunch.

The afternoon session kept up the momentum of interesting presentations. The first presentation was 'Word Press: Not Just for Blogging Anymore'. My thoughts prior to this presentation were that Word Press was mainly for blogging websites. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Word Press can be used to develop a technology advanced website. A huge selling point with developing in Word Press is that there are plugins that enhances the website dramatically. The features available with Word Press are beyond amazing.

The second workshop that I attended in the afternoon was 'Managing Your Digital Footprint'. The main idea behind this workshop was that by managing your digital footprint, you can secure yourself in the digital world. This workshop did a great job of scaring me into paranoia. It opened my eyes to the fact that nothing really is safe. You still have to be proactive with your security.

During the evening, everyone was invited to meet the National BDPA Leadership Team. The Leadership team was very accommodating and welcoming. Everyone was also very encouraging when discussing technical skills and careers. The first day definitely had a lasting impression.

The second day started off with a demo of 'Creating Visualizations with the Google API' by Yolanda Davis. This workshop stood out because the attendees were actually able to program. All you heard throughout half of the workshop was the pressing of keys. The workshop was very interactive. I hope this type of workshop happens at every conference.

The next workshop I attended was 'Mobile-First Responsive Web Design' by Rudy Duke. This workshop focused on emerging technology. Mr. Duke did another wonderful job explaining that web design has changed. In the past, websites were seen on monitors; however, that has changed with the increasing popularity of smart phones and tablets. If you’re planning a website you have to cater to these mobile devices. I’m thankful I attended both of Mr. Duke’s workshops. I will definitely use his ideas for future web development.

Another workshop I attended called 'Does IT Certification Matter?' addressed an issue I had been wrestling with for the past couple of years. The panel consisted of three experts in the field of Program Management. They gave very passionate arguments on both sides of the issue. I actually can understand both sides, but I do agree with the side that certifications do matter. The reason being is that there are times that a HR rep will require a certification and not having a certification, will limit your options.

2012 HSCC Champions

The banquet was magnificent. There were some great speakers, but what stood out to me were the High School Computer Competition kids. These kids were very impressive. All of the kids were very competitive and bright. I wish I would have had the same type of contest available to me in high school. The skills the kids are learning will help them to not only do well in college, but look enticing to any IT company’s internship programs. Everyone was on pins and needles waiting to find out who won the competition. I’m pleased to say that Atlanta’s chapter won for the first time ever in history of the competition. The kids received scholarship money, as well as, brand new laptops.

I had a great time at the national conference. The workshops and networking opportunities were topnotch. I encourage everyone to attend this conference to advance their professional development. I definitely plan on being in Washington, D.C. in 2013.

Alphonse Porter, VP-Technology
BDPA Atlanta Chapter