LAS VEGAS, NV — Commerce, our cultural and geopolitical interchange of relationships, solutions, and services, soon will embrace fifth generation (5G) wireless technologies. With 5G, data, processing, storage, and new sensory techniques will leverage information technology (IT) across new frameworks and unprecedented infrastructures..

Now in its 45th year, National BDPA (BDPA), its members, and its mission-partners remain keenly interested in providing innovative solutions with new services, while supporting viable workforce pipelines for the following projected growth areas:

• Robotics and Machine Intelligence
• 5G, Ai,  and the Internet (or “Intelligence”) of Things (IoT) 
• Edge Computing and Quantum Computing
• Gamification and Immersive Infotainment
• Infrastructure and SMART City Initiatives
• Tech-Inclusion and Cyber Workforce Development

This year during CES® – the world’s largest and most influential tech event – entrepreneurs, software engineers, startups, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)  met during CES 2020 to discuss emerging requirements or demonstrate their latest products and services.  Within tech’s multi-trillion dollar ecosystem, IT continues to transcend every vertical market from agriculture to transportation while providing faster interactions with the greatest consumer engagements and user experience (UX.) BDPA Members and mission-partners are the professionals that help make “IT” happen.

 

Meet Rodney Williams

In 2012, Rodney Williams co-founded LISNR® with Chris Ostoich and Josh Glick around the core premise that sound can do more. The single insight that sound can be leveraged as a conduit for wide-scale connections everywhere. More specifically, using sound to connect more people and devices in ways that had never existed before.

Since arriving at that insight, LISNR has grown into the world’s most advanced ultrasonic technology. To fill the need, LISNR developed the idea of a software solution for encoding data into inaudible tones.  LISNR is ultrasonic inaudible technology; a communication protocol that sends data over audio. They use ultrasonic audio called Smart Tones™ to transmit information and has grown their list of partners, clients and investors to include some of the best in the world.

Mr. Williams earned his BBA in Finance from West Virginia University and his MBA from Howard University. He is a Techstars Mentor and Member of National BDPA’s Cincinnati Chapter. BDPA Members with Python, Java, or Objective-C experiences may review LISNR’s current openings for Implementation Engineers, by visiting LISNR.com.

BDPA and bdpatoday received invitations from LISNR’s team to join them during CES 2020 at a reception hosted by the GENIVI Alliance. The alliance develops standard approaches for integrating operating systems and middleware present in the centralized and connected vehicle cockpit.  The alliance also links adopters of Android™ Automotive, AUTOSAR, Linux, and other in-vehicle software with solution suppliers resulting in a productive and collaborative community of over 100 corporate members worldwide.

 

Meet Brenna Brown

At Igalia, Ms. Brown works in the most exciting areas in open source software, including Browsers, Graphics and Multimedia. Igalia applies their knowledge to a wide variety of platforms and technologies in the consumer electronics market and can provide our companies and agencies with innovative user-interface (UI) solutions for Smart TVs, set-top boxes, tablets, mobile phones, in-vehicle infotainment, and smart-home automation.

Ms. Brown earned her BSEE from Howard University and an MBA from Pepperdine University.  Igalia is hiring, BDPA Members and BDPA Student Members are asked to reach out to Ms. Brown for entry-level or internship opportunities. She wants to hear from BDPA’s Jr. Devs, High School Computer Competition (HSCC) alumni, and professionals who understand Linux and OpenGL with WebKit or WebRTC on their latest resume.

Send to: resumes@bdpadc.org.

Above (L-R) Brenna Brown, Igalia; Morris Williams, Maryland Aviation Administration; and Terry Speigner,  CEO of NGEN LLC.  BDPA and bdpatoday met with Igalia’s team while attending GENIVI Networking Reception & Showcase at the Bellagio Hotel with state delegations from Maryland and Michigan.      — Photo  ©2020 bdpatoday

 

Meet Paul Amadeus Lane

Mr. Lane is an Accessibility Consultant working with game developers and consumer technology companies help meet the needs of the disabled user. Mr. Lane also is a Bureau Chief and Multimedia Host in the Greater Los Angeles area covering tech, gaming and entertainment for ABC News Radio, KMET 1490 AM.  Being a person with a disability, he uses his personal experiences to try to make sure he speaks to everyone with topics that he covers.

Each year during CES, Mr. Lane looks forward to his live broadcasts.  At CES 2020 this week, he was able to join his pal Dr. Stephen Ewell (photo) from  the Consumer Technology Association Foundation to discuss their amazing initiatives and accomplishments.

Above (L-R) ABC News Radio, KMET 1490 AM, Bureau Chief Paul Amadeus Lane with CTA Foundation’s Dr. Stephen Ewell in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s North Hall media center during CES 2020.

 

Meet Dr. Karl Reid

Dr. Karl Reid is the Executive Director of our National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), one of the world’s largest student-governed engineering organizations. He also is the author of “Working Smarter, Not Just Harder: Three Sensible Strategies for Succeeding in College…and Life.” Prior to joining NSBE, Dr. Reid was Senior Vice President of Research, Innovation and Member College Engagement at UNCF where he developed and implemented educational, research and capacity-building programs for UNCF’s 37 member historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Dr. Reid arrived at UNCF from MIT after serving as Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education, Assistant to the Chancellor for Diversity and Director of the Office of Minority Education.

Dr. Reid attended several workshops with Industry leaders and BDPA Mission Partners from around the world during CES 2020. BDPA  Student Members interested in supporting NSBE Jr. activities or joining a NSBE Chapter are invited to visit NSBE.org.  BDPA, NSBE, and the National Science Foundation (NSF) will continue to support the establishment of new BDPA Chapters collocated with HBCU/MIs and Community Colleges.

Above (L-R) Dr. Quincy Brown, Anita Borg Institute; Dr. Todd Shurn, Howard University; Ms. Omarosa Manigault-Newman; Dr. Karl Reid, Executive Director, NSBE; Ms. Sherika Ekpo, Global D&I Lead- Research & Artificial Intelligence at Google; Ms. Sherida McMullan, Inclusion & Diversity at Lyft; and Mr. Perry Carter, publisher, bdpatoday.     — Photo  ©2020 bdpatoday

 

Meet-Up @ CES 2021?

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® convenes companies of every size and specialty in the technology industry to move us all forward.  Located outside of Washington, D.C. in Arlington, VA, CTA is the trade association representing the $398 billion U.S. consumer technology industry, which supports more than 15 million U.S. jobs.

Powered by CTA, CES formally known as the Consumer Electronics Show, is the world’s gathering place for all those who thrive on the business of consumer technologies. BDPA Chapters, BDPA Members, and BDPA Student Members attending next year’s “trade mission” to CES 2021 may contact National BDPA or National BDPA’s Washington, D.C. Chapter to arrange meet-ups or attend special Industry Partner events.

BDPA is a community oriented tech and media “trade” association. Join, renew, or launch a new BDPA Chapter on campus today by visiting BDPA.org and bdpatoday.com.

— Sources and photos: ABC News Radio/KMET, BDPA, CTA, Igalia, LISNR, and NSBE

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