MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Black Data Processing Associates is to sustain a network of minority data processing professionals that is a positive influence in the information processing industry; a network which shares information, provides education, and performs community service.

Each BDPA chapter is required to provide the following products and services: Regularly distributed chapter newsletters; monthly membership/program meetings; computer bulletin board access with connection to BDPANet, the nationwide network of BDPA bbs nodes; and development of a high school computer competition team for the national conference. Chapters prepare business plans, operating budgets, and quarterly & annual chapter reports.

BDPA HISTORYIn May, 1975, Earl A. Pace Jr. and David Wimberly founded BDPA on a local basis, in Philadelphia, PA, as a non-profit professional organization. In 1979, BDPA was restructured as a national organization with chapters in Philadelphia, PA, Washington, DC, and Cleveland, OH. Today, the national organization is represented by 52 chapters throughout the United States with a total membership in excess of 1600 data processing professionals!

BDPA OBJECTIVE

On a national and local level, the primary objective of BDPA is to accumulate a pool of information processing knowledge and business expertise with the intention of utilizing these resources to:

Support the interest of those individuals examining the field of information processing as a career or business opportunity.

Provide a forum for the development of interests and skills of the minority community as a whole

Participate actively in events supporting the aims of the information processing industry

MEMBERSHIP PROFILE

Membership includes students, educators, vendor representatives, entrepreneurs, and information technology professionals. There are currently 52 chapters and 1600 members nationwide. BDPA membership represents all aspects and crosses all platforms in the IT industry. Membership in BDPA is open to all directly or indirectly involved in the information technology industry. Monthly membership program meetings are open to the public. National and Regional conferences are open to member and non-member registrants.

NATIONAL PUBLICATIONS

BDPA produces two national publications as a benefit of membership. THE JOURNAL which covers industry/technical issues, and THE INSIDER which includes general BDPA information. National publications are distributed to all members and national corporate sponsors. Members are encouraged to submit articles to local and national publications.

CONFERENCE INFORMATION

BDPA produces a national conference, annually. The National Conference includes technical and professional development workshops, a career fair and technology expo (vendor trade show), high school

computer competition and a youth mini conference. Examples of National Conference brochures are available.

COMPUTERIZED RESUME BANKS

BDPA has a network of computer bulletin boards, and posts employment opportunities which receive nationwide attention. A job resume database is under development which will contain member resumes. Employers will subscribe to gain access to the databank.

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP

BDPA has established a Corporate Sponsorship Program to build partnerships, and to involve corporations in BDPA's community educational programs and professional growth activities.

In BDPA, we're working together to consolidate business, education and community leaders for the purpose of preparing and developing our youth.

Regardless of the sponsorship category and level selected, Corporate Sponsor benefits are many. BDPA Corporate Sponsors benefit in the following ways:

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENTBDPA Sponsorship provides a corporation the opportunity to contribute to developing a pool of qualified employees to meet current and future human resource needs.

EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENTBDPA Sponsorship provides a corporation with opportunity to associate with talented information technology professionals of color. This helps to reinforce the corporation's commitment to the development/retention of talented people of color, and aids in achieving cultural diversity goals.

PUBLIC AWARENESS & COMMUNITY SERVICEBDPA Sponsorship provides an avenue for corporations to contribute to the overall good of society and the community in which they operate. BDPA Sponsors are good corporate citizens in their community.

GOODWILLBDPA Sponsorship adds value to the goods/services provided by the corporation..

ROLE OF THE CORPORATE SPONSOR

Corporate Sponsors promote, assist, and contribute to the attainment of BDPA's goals through involvement in the following activities:NATIONAL COMPUTER COMPETITION

A goal of the National BDPA organization is to have all local chapters sponsor a computer competition program and a student team to compete at the National BDPA Computer Competition which is held at the annual National BDPA conference.

The High School Computer Competition Program provides an environment where students have an opportunity to compete on an academic level, similar to well-established athletic programs. This program allows students the opportunity to utilize their academic and technical skills, and to display their creative talents. Students participating in this program develop self-esteem, self-confidence, leadership skills and a greater sense of responsibility. During the training program, students will obtain training on subjects such as Structured System Analysis, Structured Programming Techniques, Data Communications, Data Processing History, Hardware/Software and Effective Presentation Skills.

BDPA EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATION

Since 1975, BDPA has been educating and training minority professionals working within the information technology industry. BDPA has successfully reached out to many, and has provided opportunities through networking, educational programs, monthly seminars, monthly workshops and annual conferences.

Educational and technical opportunities still reach the African American community at a slow pace. BDPA has a larger task and broader range of people (especially youth) to reach. Recognizing the need for accelerated action, the BDPA EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATION (BDPA FOUNDATION) was established.

The BDPA foundation has been successful in the creation of specialized programs which advance the skills needed by youth to compete in today’s wave of new technology.

PARTICIPATIVE SUPPORTSponsors participate in projects and programs planned by BDPA. Participation includes providing committee membership, program speakers, or seminar instructors to BDPA.

RESOURCE SUPPORTSponsors provide facilities, equipment, speakers, or services for BDPA activities and programs.

FINANCIAL SUPPORTSponsors make financial, in-kind service, and equipment contributions to the organization in support of BDPA activities and programs.

ADVISORY SUPPORTSponsors serve as advisors in program development and administration. Sponsors provide staff members to plan, develop, and implement BDPA activities and programs. Frequently, corporate executives will participate as members of the Corporate Advisory Council.

For additional information on the BDPA Corporate Sponsorship Program, please feel free to contact Charlotte Turner (BDPA Hartford Chapter/President) @ (203) 537-0700.

BDPA HARTFORDBOARD OF DIRECTORS

Charlotte A. Turner PresidentValerie Thomas Vice PresidentHenry Burns TreasurerThomas Johnson Corresponding

SecretaryGreta Lambkin Past President

MEMBERSHIP FEES$15 Full-time Students (proof of status is required)

$75 Full membership (1 year)

$300 Full Membership (5 years for the price of 4)