Harold Rush Podcast, 5/4/2016 (Reggie Rush)

BDPA Chicago President Reggie Rush. BDPA Chicago Chapter Media Correspondent Harold Lee Rush interviews Reggie Rush, BDPA Chicago Chapter President.



BDPA Chicago Chapter on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BDPAChicago/

Rolling Out, 3/15/2016 (Reggie Rush)

Reggie Rush

5 Questions with BDPA Chicago Chapter President Reggie Rush. For those unfamiliar the organization, tell us a bit about the Chicago Chapter of Black Data Processing Association and its history?

BDPA is an international organization with a diverse membership of professionals and students at all levels in the fields of information technology, computer science and related S.T.E.M (science, technology, engineering and math) fields. Members are actively engaged in serving the community through outreach and charting the future of the IT industry.

What’s next for the BDPA?

I think the biggest challenge for us is growing both our sponsorship base and membership. These are two important elements for our success. We are a nonprofit so we need the funding to run our programs. Eighty to 85 percent of our funding goes to programs. We have no paid staff within the chapter. Now that statement helps you understand why growing membership is important, we need the members to volunteer to assist in delivering the programs.

The BDPA Chicago Chapter Annual Awards gala will take place on Saturday, March 19 at the Hyatt Regency East Tower, Grand Ballroom A & B located at 151 E Wacker Dr., Chicago. The black-tie event will begin with a VIP reception at 6 p.m. followed by the dinner program at 7 p.m.

Read the full Rolling Out article here.

MillerCoors TapRoom, 10/1/2014 (Norm Fleming)

Norm Fleming

Norm Fleming Achieves National Recognition for MBA Leadership. Norm Fleming is the senior director of enterprise business solutions at MillerCoors, executive sponsor for our HOLA employee resource group and an active member of AAEN. He’s taken the lead to develop talent inside our walls and worked alongside colleagues to expand their reach into the community to empower and build a pipeline of diverse young IT talent.

“No matter your function, personal and business success is rooted in a network of strong relationships where you can achieve personal growth while also making a personal impact.”

During Diversity and Inclusion Week, Norm leveraged those relationships to help bring local retailers to the Chicago HQ to share insights on engaging multicultural consumers—contributing to a standing room only crowd. Retailers and attendees walked away with new ideas and perspectives on building a better partnership to reach our KBDs.

Norm’s leadership impact in the company and the community is why he was named among the “Top 100 Under 50 Diverse Executive Leaders” by Diversity MBA Magazine. Norm was also honored by National Black MBA Association, Inc. with the “Outstanding MBA of the Year Award” for his work developing future leaders and his commitment to building leadership, fostering an environment for lifelong learning and exemplifying high ethical standards.

NOTE: Norm Fleming is a lifetime member of our BDPA Chicago chapter.

Geneca, 10/8/2012 (Daphne Jones)

BDPA CIO Reception. Join technology executives from across Chicagoland for an evening of networking and discussion. Geneca will host moderator Daphne Jones (senior vice president and CIO of Hospira) for this year’s BDPA Chicago Chapter’s CIO Reception.

“Leading in the C-Suite: Answering the Call to Enable Value” will cover an array of areas such as the CIO career, role, relationships, competencies and how they create game changing value.

Read the rest of this Geneca event posting.

NIU Today, 2/2/2012 (Wheeler Coleman)

Wheeler Coleman Sworn In as NIU Trustee. Thirty-four years removed from his arrival on the campus of Northern Illinois University as a freshman, Wheeler Coleman was sworn in as the university’s newest trustee.

"Less than 34 years ago I was admitted to NIU and I came through these doors wide eyed, naïve and ill-prepared for the academic and social challenges I was about to face," said Trustee Coleman, who grew up on the West Side of Chicago.

"However, with the help of great people – from the faculty, my fellow students and from the administration – I was able to get through this university with a degree in computer science in 1983."

Immediately after graduation, Coleman took a position as a programmer at what was then a small, nearly bankrupt company: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois.He moved into management four years later and was part of the team that built the company into what is now the largest, non-investor owned insurance company in the nation.  He currently holds the position of vice president and chief technology officer at what is now known as Health Care Service Corporation.

NOTE: Wheeler Coleman is a member of our BDPA Chicago chapter and a past winner of BDPA's Career Achievement Epsilon Award.

Diversity/Careers in Engineering & Information Technology, 2/1/2012 (Jesse Mathews)

Jesse Mathews III is "Lovin' It" at McDonald's, USA. Jesse Mathews III is a senior director in the IT department at McDonald's Corporation (Oak Brook, IL). He works with three internal customer groups: training, learning and development, U.S. operations, and U.S. supply chain, and leads mission-critical development and support initiatives.

"McDonald's embraces diversity," he notes. "We want to make sure we respect people on both sides of the counter. We value diversity from the crew room to the board room." Mathews is also Corporate Advisory Council (CAC) co-chair for the Chicago chapter of Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA).

Read the full Diversity/Careers article.

The Martini Chronicles, 5/17/2011 (Lahesha Williams)

Diva Spotlight. Greetings Divas! I hope that your week has been productive! My week is just about to get better, as I am ready to introduce another fabulous Professional Diva that I have had the pleasure to meet…at least virtually. Today’s diva is Lahesha Williams from Chicago, Illinois. Lahesha, who has a degree in Information Technology (Networking), is an adjunct instructor at a local school’s Business Careers Program. In addition, Lahesha is the founder of Students Empowered, Inc., and Career Help for Christians. Both organizations seek to help individuals in career and professional development. Lahesha has graciously agreed to answer a few questions in the “Haute Seat.” Let’s get to know her better, shall we?!

Read the rest of the Martini Chronicles interview.

NOTE: Lahesha is a past president of the BDPA-DeVry (Chicago) chapter.

Benzinga, 4/14/2011 (BDPA Chicago, Michael Gaines)

Computer Resource Solutions Changes Identity to The CRS Group.   Computer Resource Solutions has changed its corporate identity to The CRS Group.  This change coincides with the development of several new and enhanced service offerings and capabilities of the firm, which will have a name that embraces a more global service offering.

CRS is also committed to enhancing the education of youth within the technology spectrum and has partnered with a variety of community organizations to support their goals. In addition to being involved in such organizations, CRS has been a proud sponsor of BDPA Chicago for their various initiatives for over 15 years. CRS employees are also active members of BDPA Chicago's Corporate Advisory Council.

Read the full article here.

YouTube, 1/28/2011 (Marvin Gentry)

BDPA Chicago Chapter. Video tribute to Marvin Gentry for his work as the master of ceremonies at the 22nd annual BDPA Chicago chapter Awards Banquet.

Slideshare, 1/7/2011 (BDPA Chicago)

BDPA Chicago Corporate Portfolio. This is corporate portfolio from BDPA Chicago chapter. It describes the chapter's history, programs, services and corporate sponsorship opportunities.

BDPA Chicago Corporate Portfolio (2011)

View more documents from BDPA Foundation.

Premier Event Management, 12/31/2010 (Yvette Graham, Milt Haynes, Pamela Sexton)

Executive Advisory Council. See full list of Executive Advisory Council members for the Chicago event taking place on April 26-27, 2011.

See full roster of council members.

YouTube, 11/19/2010 (Millie Liggins)

2011 BDPA Chicago Awards Banquet.  Video posted by Chicago chapter member Millie Liggins provides both a preview of the 2011 chapter awards banquet as well as a review of the 2010 banquet.

BlackNews.com, 10/13/2010 (BDPA Chicago)

Chicago First Black Inventors/Entrepreneurs Organization 2nd Annual Conference. Chicago First Black Inventors/Entrepreneurs Organization will hold its 2nd Annual Conference in Chicago on Saturday, October 23, 2010 ... This year's conference entitled "Innovation, Patents & Profits: Licensing Your Dreams" promises to be a day full of valuable and thought provoking information featuring Planet Eureka – A Market Analysis & Business Simulation Workshop ($2,000 value) and two panels of innovation experts discussing ‘Protecting and Developing Your Idea and Licensing Your Dream.' ... Sponsors for this event are Wrigley, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago Innovation Awards and BDPA.

Read the full BlackNews.com press release.

YouTube, BDPA Chicago (10/10/2010)

BDPA Chicago 2011 Awards Gala. BDPA Chicago chapter will be recognizing five CIOs for their outstanding leadership in the field of Information Technology.

Deloitte, 8/25/2010 (BDPA Chicago)

2010 Chicago Diversity Conference. Join the Deloitte Black Employee Network (BEN) and Hispanic/Latino(a) Employee Network (HNET) on September 9 for the 2010 Chicago Diversity Conference. Sponsored by the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) Chicago Chapter and BDPA Chicago Chapter, the conference seeks to connect top talent with hundreds of opportunities throughout the United States.

Read the rest of the event information here.

YouTube, 1/23/2010 (Yvette Graham, Gibran McDuffie, Ricky Penick)

2010 BDPA Chicago Awards Banquet. This is a highlight and interview reel of Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) annual awards banquet.




View the video here.

SlideShare, 11/28/2009 (BDPA Chicago)

This is 22-page portfolio from BDPA Chicago chapter. It describes the chapter's history, programs, services and corporate sponsorship opportunities.

BDPA Chicago Chapter Portfolio

View more presentations from Wayne Hicks.

This is a document that should be used as a 'best practice' by all other BDPA chapters!

Black Enterprise, 9/29/2009 (Reginald Gardner)

In Case of Disaster. At D&C Charter Bus Co. in Chicago, vice president and CIO, Reginald Gardner, says his 10-employee luxury motor coach firm uses a two-pronged approach to disaster planning. The first segment addresses the company’s administrative operations (archiving all files on a regular basis and maintaining them off site, for example), while the second covers the operation of its motor coaches (annual safety inspections and updated driver logs, for instance).

[NOTE: Reggie Gardner served as both BDPA Chicago chapter president and National BDPA VP-Member Services in the past.]

Read the rest of the Black Enterprise article here.

BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois Newsroom, 6/23/2009 (Mario Dean)

BlueCross and BlueShield of Illinois Employee Wins Corporate Diversity Award. Chicago resident Mario Dean was awarded Health Care Service Corporation's (HCSC) 2008 President's Diversity Award, officially known as the "Raymond F. McCaskey Diversity and Inclusion Award." Dean is a support analyst for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, which is operated by HCSC. Members of HCSC's Board of Directors and Senior Leadership Team gathered last night along with others to honor Dean at a special dinner ceremony at HCSC's Chicago headquarters.

Read the full news article here.

Diversity/Careers Magazine, 1/1/2009 (Rhonda Boyd)

At Allstate, Rhonda Boyd Heads Up an Innovation Lab. Rhonda Boyd is a literal “dream weaver.” It’s her job to help employees of insurance giant Allstate Insurance Co (Northbrook, IL) articulate their ideas and, in many cases, make them come to life.

Read the rest of the article here.