The Milwaukee Times, 9/30/2016 (BDPA Milwaukee Computer Camp)

They are (from left, top row) Jalil Gibson, Alvin Cherry, Jeffery Simon, Noah
Aitch, (from left, bottom row) Isaiah Jones, Nadia Chestnut, Jayla Hopkins,
and Vendah Jones.

BDPA Milwaukee Chapter Hosts High School Computer Competition and Youth Technology Camp Awards Ceremony. On Thursday, September 22, 2016 BDPA Milwaukee Chapter celebrated the success of its High School Computer Competition and Youth Technology Camp participants with an awards recognition ceremony at MillerCoors. The Milwaukee chapter completed its 3rd year of operation by preparing nine students to participate and compete in the 2016 National BDPA High School Computer Competition in Atlanta, GA on August 10-13, 2017. BDPA’s goal is to assist school in giving students a solid computer foundation. Awards went to area high school students that participated in the Youth Technology Camp.

Click here to see the full article in The Milwaukee Times.

Cincinnati State Board of Trustees, 9/20/2016 (Frank Hill)

Frank Hill

Frank Hill was recognized for his outstanding accomplishments as an adjunct instructor (he teaches computer applications) and his volunteer work with the Cincinnati Chapter of Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA). One of BDPA’s priorities is helping minority high school students prepare for college and STEM careers.

“When I see these high school kids, I see such great potential,” Hill said. “I see that for Cincinnati State students, too.”

MI Blues Perspectives, 9/15/2016 (Angela Williams, Mike Williams)

Angela Williams, director, Information Security,
and Bridget Hurd, senior director, Diversity and Inclusion.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Honored for Commitment to African-Americans in Information Technology. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan emerged as the National Black Data Processing Associates’ (BDPA) winner of the 2016 Corporate PACEsetter award in August.

Recognized as an industry leader in areas such as supplier diversity and leadership development, Blue Cross was a top contender among five other finalists, including Anthem, Wells Fargo and State Farm.

“We commend Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan for its continued commitment to a workplace and environment that supports the advancement of African Americans in the Information Technology industry,” said Mike A. Williams, president, National BDPA.

Angela Williams, director of Information Security at Blue Cross, hopes the PACESetter award will highlight Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan as a top place to work for minorities in IT.

“My goal is to leverage BDPA to attract highly talented IT recruits to Michigan and to the Blues,” said Williams. “A lot of minorities look for organizations they believe will allow them to be creative and have a career path, and will be a great place to enjoy their day-to-day work life,” said Williams. “This award, in essence, says that Blue Cross is this type of organization. We have several examples of African Americans within our company who have had very successful and extensive careers. To continue to be successful as an organization, we need to focus on investing and growing our minority base as a diversity of people, thought and leadership.”

Read the full MI Blues Perspectives article,

Vidette Online, 9/14/2016 (Basheer Becerra, Joel Johnson)

Basheer Becerra

ISU Student Helps Local High School Place Third. The Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) Central Illinois High School Computer Competition (HSCC) team placed third out of 15 teams at the BDPA National Conference with the help of one Illinois State University sophomore.

Basheer Becerra is studying computer sciences at ISU and said that when the opportunity to be a mentor to high school students presented itself, he was more than willing.

“During my freshman year when I [had] just joined BDPA, I was looking for some non-profit organizations to get involved with to help mentor students,” Becerra said. “Then I received an email from Joel Johnson, and he said we have opportunities available for Information Technology mentorship, so it was just what I was looking for. I joined immediately and Joel introduced me to the program.”

Read the rest of the Vidette Online article.