EWF News, 5/26/2011 (Wayne Hicks)

Wayne Hicks

The Demand for CS and IT Talent Is On The Rise. Wayne Hicks, executive director of BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (College Park, MD), cautions graduates to keep in mind that lifelong learning is a reality.

"When you graduate, you are not done with the learning process," he says. "Graduates need to continue learning to remain competitive, whether that's through certifications or returning to school."

Hicks urges minorities to do their homework when job hunting. "Investigate the company's stance on diversity," he says. "Are there people that look like you represented throughout the organization, particularly in upper management and in hiring roles?"

Read the full Executive Women's Forum (EWF) News article.

EURweb, 5/26/2011 (Larry Quinlan, Michael Robinson)

Audrey’s Society Whirl: New York Urban League Bestows Prestigious Frederick Douglass Awards. Since its inception in 1965, the New York Urban League (NYUL) Frederick Douglass awards dinner has recognized a wide range of private and public-sector leaders including Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, Dr. Betty Shabazz, Russell Simmons and Bud Selig, whose contributions have helped break down racial obstacles and promote opportunities for the less fortunate ... Larry Quinlan, chief information officer, Deloitte LLP served as gala chair.

Shown in the photo are Jean-Marie Horovitz, Noel Hankin, Ed Goldberg, H. Sidney Holmes III, Rahshib Thomas, Glenn Rice, honorees Cora Weiss and David N. Dinkins, New York Urban League president & CEO Arva R. Rice, honoree Marcus Sameulsson, National Urban League president & CEO Marc Morial, Michael Robinson.

Michael Robinson is past president of BDPA New York chapter and past BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) director.


Larry Quinlan is currently a BETF director.

Read the full EURweb story.

The Web Academy, 5/24/2011 (Eric Hamilton)

Eric Hamilton

SBI Award for The Web Academy.  We are pleased to announce that the City of New York Board of Directors of the National BDPA is honoring the Web Academy (founded by Eric Hamilton) with the Small Business Innovator Award, which shall be presented at the 15th Annual BDPA NY Scholarship and Awards Dinner on Wednesday, June 29th, 2011 at UBS, 299 Park Avenue. The theme for the evening is “Innovating our Future”.

Read the full Web Academy article.

DeniseMpls, 5/23/2011 (BDPA Twin Cities)

FREE Technology Camp for Minnesota 8th-12th Graders.  BDPA Twin Cities believes that computer literacy is NOT an “optional” skill. Computer technology is intertwined within the fabric of daily life of most Americans regardless of age, sex, gender, and race. Everyone must have more than a basic understanding of computers.

Read the full DeniseMpls blog post.

Health Care Service Corporation, 5/21/2011 (National BDPA)

Diversity. Our employees are the cornerstone of our business and our workforce reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. Ongoing efforts are made to attract, develop and engage our diverse pool ... Key components of diversity and inclusion (D&I) at HCSC include: Employee resource groups (ERGs) – These are voluntary, employee driven groups that support diversity and inclusion goals. These include: African Americans in Motion, Asian American Resource Group, Black Data Processing Associates, Europa, HCSC Pride Alliance, In-Abled, Latinos for Advancement, Supporters of Military Veterans, Voices of Diversity and Women Improving the Strength of the Enterprise (WISE).

Read the full HCSC Diversity story here.

Rix Bits, 5/20/2011 (Ricardo Wilkins)

My Interview With BDPA.  I was recently interviewed by the BDPA Education and Technology Foundation regarding my volunteer work teaching web development to youth in the BDPA High School Computer Competition (HSCC).  It’s part of their Take Five interview series where they interview notable members of the organization.  As you can see from the interview, I find a lot of fulfillment in my work with HSCC. Check out the full interview here.

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.

Rutgers Focus, 5/13/2011 (BDPA New Jersey)

Rutgers Graduate Brings Computer-Literacy Training Initiative to Newark. Kevin Keogh remembers the father who showed up to Tech Saturdays in Harlem a few years ago with his two small children in tow. After a morning of computer-literacy training, the man wore a grateful smile as he was handed a laptop computer to take home, the first the family would own ... Back in 2009, the Edison native told Rutgers-Newark political science professor Mary Segers about the Harlem program, and his desire to jump-start a similar one in Newark. Segers passed the news on to Vice Chancellor Marcia Brown, whose interest was immediately piqued. A committee was formed, with Keogh as the student representative and catalyst. Seven months later, a six-week pilot program was born, in conjunction with Newark Public Schools and the N.J. chapter of Black Data Processing Associates.

Read the full Rutgers Focus article.

CyberLife Tutors, 5/12/2011 (Keith Warrick)

Keith Warrick

LinkedIn Celebrates 8 Years and 100 Million Members. LinkedIn celebrates it’s 8th birthday May 2011. The company has grown since LinkedIn started out in co-founder Reid Hoffman’s living room in 2002. LinkedIn says their official launch date was May 5, 2003 ... Keith Warrick, fellow BDPA LinkedIn group member told us how to find out what member number you are when you joined LinkedIn. Keith was a fairly early adopter of LinkedIn, and member #1,551,555.

Read the complete CyberLife Tutors article.

NOTE: Keith is a member of our BDPA Atlanta chapter and moderator of our BDPA LinkedIn Network group.