bdpatoday | Awards

Meta’s Huntsville Data Center announces 2022 Community Action Grants

Huntsville, AL—Meta is thrilled to announce recipients of their 2022 Community Action Grants. Congratulations BDPA Huntsville!

Through their Data Center Community Action Grants program, Meta provides funding for nonprofits and schools to support the long-term vitality of Huntsville. They fund projects that help put the power of technology to use for community benefit, connect people online or off and improve STEM education. Congratulations to the 2022 Huntsville Data Center grant recipients and a big thank you for your impactful work!

2022 Huntsville Data Center Grant Award Recipients

• National BDPA Huntsville Chapter / $18,750
To empower the FLIGHTS program to give students real-world career experiences

• Drake State Community & Technical College / $15,247
To develop STEM learning opportunities with solar robotics kits and an Arduino Rev3 programmable robot

• Huntsville City Schools / $10,000
To support the development of a community STEM garden that connects the community together

• 100 Black Men of Greater Huntsville, Inc. / $5,000
To help put on STEAM events and programs to inspire young people from diverse communities in Huntsville

• Girls Inc. of Huntsville / $15,000
To support Operation Smart program for increasing leadership and improving graduation rates by providing programs for young girls

• The Livin’ Room / $17,870
To provide new computers and projectors for trainings at the community center

• Northwood Community Outreach / $50,000
To equip community coding classes with technology to improve connection for students and residents

• Madison City Schools / $27,000
To provide tablets and enable equitable internet access for students in need

• Village of Promise / $42,243
To equip adults with technology for pursuing GEDs, training for jobs and finding employment

• Discovery Middle School / $1,000
To support the Greenpower Racing Program for inspiring hands-on problem solvers

• CAP & GOWN Project / $15,000
To enable transformative opportunities to pursue college for underserved secondary school students

Data centers are part of the infrastructure that helps us bring WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and more to people around the globe. They support Meta’s mission to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together.

_{Sources: Meta Platforms, Inc. and BDPA Huntsville}

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***Earth Day Tech Summit 2022 is a virtual event for students, JROTC Units, and young adults.***

BDPA-DC Welcomes new Training Scholarships for HBCU Seniors and Graduates Earning Industry Certifications with HOPE Project Online

WASHINGTON—The H.O.P.E. Project DMV (HOPE) is accepting applications for next semester’s online STEM certification offering of its renowned and award winning community information technology (IT) training and workforce development program. Since 2009, HOPE has successfully launched exciting technology careers through programs uniquely designed to prepare students from ages 16-24 for mission-critical entry-level positions such as Helpdesk, Desktop, Service Management, and Application support.

BDPA of Greater Washington, D.C. (BDPA-DC) in direct support of National BDPA’s mission and the association’s HBCU student member objectives, is partnering with HOPE to provide training and certification scholarships directly to HBCU students or recent HBCU graduates who are accepted into HOPE’s online training programs.

BDPA-DC extends its “Industry 4.0” Student Information Technology Education and Scholarship (SITES IV) portfolio to include HOPE’s CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+ training, certification test preparation to compliment next summer’s STEM internship applications or college degrees for immediate entry-level opportunities across the (ICT) industry with BDPA’s mission-partners

About H.O.P.E. Project DMV

The H.O.P.E. Project (HOPE) mission is to empower students to reach their potential by providing a comprehensive information technology training program, designed for students out of high school and at least 18 years old. Since 2009 HOPE Project has trained, coached, and mentored nearly 2,000 IT students that have an average salary of nearly $65,000 a year. HOPE has helped students earn over 2,200 CompTIA A+, Network+ and Security+ certifications. These credentials have helped HOPE alumni build IT careers working as Cyber Security Engineers, Systems Administrators, Mobile Device Engineers, and IT Project Managers. Visit: hopeprojectonline.com.

About BDPA-DC

The association’s global mission as outlined by National BDPA is to bridge digital divides across cyber security, information technology (IT) and telecommunications competency gaps while broadening outreach and awareness campaigns for computer, data science, and technical careers. Since 1978, BDPA of Greater Washington, D.C. (BDPA-DC) has successfully presented Student Information Technology Education and Scholarship (SITES) projects across the National Capital Region support career development and economic development through well blended and tailored series of student programs, industry outreach, community relations, and legislative affairs primarily for urban and underserved communities. Visit: bdpadc.org.

_{— Photo courtesy: HOPE Project DMV}

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2019 Community Technology Awards

WASHINGTON — National BDPA’s Greater Washington, D.C. Chapter (BDPAdc.org) is hosting an evening of professional networking and Holiday Soirée with Tech Industry executives on Thursday, November 21, 2019, at Samsung Electronics Executive Briefing Center, 700 PENN S.E., Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.

2019 High School Computer Competition Champions — 2019 National High School Computer Competition (HSCC) Champions from Washington, D.C.

This year’s annual Tech & Media Reception, Community Technology Awards, and Holiday Soirée is co-hosted by Samsung Electronics. In closing out this exciting decade, the association is honoring the region’s High School Computer Competition (HSCC) national coding championship team (above), celebrating the 55th Anniversary of The Washington Informer, and celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the H.O.P.E. Project DMV.

2019 Community and Technology Award Winners

2019 Lifetime Achievement Awards

Denise Rolark Barnes, Publisher, The Washington Informer
Larry Irving, Internet Hall of Fame Inductee
Valerie L. Thomas, NASA Inventor and Data Analyst

2019 Industry Sponsor of the Year

Best Buy
Developer + Career Programs

2019 Community Service Award

Eugene W. Grant, Mayor
“Smart City” Mayor of Seat Pleasant, Maryland

2019 Member of the Year

Terry Wilson-Brox, KPMG
Tech ‘Team Mom‘ for 2019 National HSCC Coding Champions
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Certified Information Security Auditor (CISA).

2019 Entrepreneur of the Year

Ron Hamm , President, HCG
Government Relations (GovRel) contributor to bdpatoday

2019 President’s Technical Career Awards

Anu Fomengia
Dernard Hawkins
Lynette Hinton
Sedley Randolph
Phyllis Ussery
Brittany Walker

Since 1975, BDPA’s mission sets continue to pay it forward into its fifth (5G) decade to bridge application development, cybersecurity, information technology (IT), and telecommunications competency gaps between Industry, Academia, governments and traditionally underserved communities.

Local BDPA Chapter goals across the National Capital Region (NCR) are set forth to provide access to technology and career training programs. Events with regional sponsors and mission partners include educational outreach programs for professionals, junior developers (Jr. Devs), young adults, and youth technology programs across the Greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area (DMV) in direct support of economic development, technology inclusion, and workforce development initiatives.

Reservations for this year’s reception and BDPA Professional Membership drives for 2020 remain open until Monday, November 18, 2019. Discover more by visiting the trade association’s landing pages, publications, and archives → https://bdpadc.org

BDPA HSCC Alumna Receives Eleanor Dee Greer Scholarship Award

WASHINGTON, D.C. (bdpatoday) — BDPA of Greater Washington, D.C. (BDPA-DC), an information and communications technology (ICT) trade association, announces a 2018 Eleanor Dee Greer Scholarship award recipient. Dr. Melvin Greer, Founder and Managing Director, Greer Institute for Leadership and Innovation, presented a 2018 Eleanor Dee Greer Scholarship award to Ms. TurKenya Herring during BDPA’s annual Northeast Regional Innovation Summit at the MEADE Training and Conference Center near Ft. Meade in Odenton, Maryland.

(L-R) During this year’s BDPA Northeast Regional Innovation Summit, Ms. TurKenya Herring is presented with a 2018 Eleanor Dee Greer Scholarship Award from Dr. Melvin Greer, Founder and Managing Director, Greer Institute for Leadership and Innovation.

— photo © 2018 bdpatoday

Eleanor Dee Greer was a teacher, principal and inspiration to underserved students. She devoted her life supporting and encouraging technologists, engineers and scientists and the scholarship Greer Institute awards each year honors her and students she would inspire. Greer Institute is proud to recognize students that are maturing their engineering and science skills via National, Regional, or local BDPA Chapter programs. Ms. Herring plans to complete her undergraduate studies at Bowie State University in 2019, obtain her Master’s degree in Cybersecurity, and assist others in accomplishing their career goals. Ms. Herring is a BDPA High School Computer Competition (HSCC) alumna currently serving as one of this year’s HSCC Chaperones for BDPA-DC’s HSCC team. Ms. Herring is a BDPA Oracle Scholars finalist and Cyber Intern with Enlightened, Inc., a leading Information Technology (IT) consulting firm and BDPA Chapter mission-partner delivering cyber security, system integration, and management consulting solutions.

Mr. Greer stated Ms. Herring “is a deserving recipient of the 2018 Eleanor Dee Greer Scholarship.” Ms. Herring will lead this year’s HSCC finalists from the National Capital Region to compete in National HSCC Scholarship rounds later this summer in New Orleans, LA, during the National BDPA Technology Conference, August 9-11, 2018.

About BDPA of Greater Washington, D.C.
BDPA’s mission in the District of Columbia and the National Capital Region (NCR) is to bridge cybersecurity (CS), information technology (IT) and telecommunications competency gaps in urban, under-represented, and underserved communities. Local chapter goals and objectives across the region include, but are not limited to, providing IT and CS professional development programs, industry publications, and community outreach services for professionals, young adults, and youth in direct support of software development initiatives, cyberspace workforce development, and government relations. Local chapters support and advocate workforce development and accelerating technology inclusion initiatives with industry mission partners.

Coders and junior developer (JrDev) finalists from BDPA’s Northeast Region design and develop new apps during the association’s annual regional high school coding competition (HSCC). Regional finalists move on to compete in national HSCC scholarship rounds later this summer in New Orleans, LA, August 9th to 11th, during the 40th Annual National BDPA Technology Conference (BDPA.org). For more on this year’s NE Regional Innovation Summit, visit BDPADC.org.

— Cover and HSCC photo © 2018 bdpatoday

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Defense Industry and Cybersecurity Executives share success stories to honor Youth Achievements in Tech

BDPA-DC awardees for 2017 include (L-R) Brandon Craig, ***2017* *Member of the Year***; Dr. Margaret Wood, President and CEO, WOOD Consulting Services, Inc., 2017 Entrepreneur of the Year; Ms. Elizabeth Lindsey, CEO of Byte Back, 2017 President’s Community Award; and Lieutenant General Robert S. Ferrell, U.S. Army (Retired), Vice President, Federal Strategy at World Wide Technology, Inc., 2017 BDPA-DC Lifetime Achievement Award.

WASHINGTON—Bowie State University co-hosted an annual awards gala for National BDPA’s Washington, D.C. Chapter (BDPA-DC) as industry and association members celebrated BDPA-DC’s 39th Anniversary and the 30th anniversary of BDPA Baltimore Chapter’s charter. This year’s Industry Keynote was provided by retired Navy Cryptologic Warfare Officer, Dr. Calvin Nobles, of Wells Fargo.

The event’s Industry sponsors and mission partners included the U.S. Air Force, Best Buy, Bowie State University, Connected2Tech, CSRA, D.C. Courts, Elegua Consulting, Inc., Howard University, JEF, Leidos, Lenvio, The Microsoft Store, U.S. Navy, R&K Cyber Solutions, Wells Fargo, WOOD Consulting Services, Inc., and World Wide Technology, Inc.

Regional high school coders who were 2017 finalists for BDPA-DC’s High School Computer Competition (HSCC) team, received Samsung Galaxy tablets from BDPA-DC and Best Buy, one of the team’s sponsors.

Regional college and high school students from Joint Educational Facilities (JEF) are IT Showcase participants. These BDPA Student Members are working on Data Science and “Smart Cities” projects with Bowie State University during their next two semesters.

The annual regional Technology & Community Awards Gala was held on Saturday, November 18th, 2017 in the University’s new Center for Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Nursing. The year 2018 marks the 40th “XL” Anniversary of National BDPA’s Washington, D.C. Chapter (BDPADC.org)

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EY selects LISNR as 2017 Connected World Communications Winner

CINCINNATI, OH–Rodney Williams leads one of the most disruptive companies in our emerging Internet of Things (IoT) space and mobile connectivity. His firm, LISNR, provides a data transmission protocol that utilizes ultrasonic, inaudible technology that sends secure data over audio. Today, EY announces LISNR as Connected World Communications Winners for their 2017 Ohio Valley EY Entrepreneur of the Year.

Cincinnati’s Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) recently launched the “CAC Digital Docent” App, an acoustic guide designed by WNDERS that uses LISNR technology to enhance the visitor experience. The app allows visitors to explore more deeply the Tomás Saraceno installation on view in the lobby, and features exclusive content, messages and experiences including a personal greeting from the artist himself. The activation is powered by ultrasonic audio company LISNR and will be the first use of LISNR technology in any museum in the world.

Instead of using outdated technology like headsets with recorded audio or Bluetooth beacons that require hardware, installation and maintenance costs, WNDERS, a mobile app platform for venues looking to enhance their visitor experience, opted to leverage LISNR SmartTone technology. SmartTones trigger the app upon entry. They direct visitors to additional exciting content tied to the exhibit, leading them on a journey through the artwork using video, images, and sound. The tones help visitors connect with Tomas Saraceno across social platforms, view related works. Visitors also have the ability to create a profile and digital collection of images and content.

LISNR’s high-frequency, inaudible SmartTone technology connects mobile applications and devices. When played over speakers, mobile apps with LISNR recognize the tone via the microphone. This additionally also detects micro-location within the venue. The tone then directs the app to an action and in this case it is extra content. Existing audio speakers are leveraged to craft a unique, evolving experience as one moves through the space. According to CAC Director Raphaela Platow, the greatest benefit of LISNR technology is that it not only enables better data transmission, but does it in a cost effective way with minimal hardware, installation and maintenance. This makes it easier for non-profit arts organizations with smaller budgets to get into the innovation and technology game to enhance the visitor experience. “We are continuously looking for innovative and cost-effective ways to connect with our audiences and give them deep and exciting insight into the works on view and the artists who created them. LISNR technology will activate our new app throughout the exhibition space and not only provide people with diverse information but also help us understand better how visitors use and move about our spaces.”

According to LISNR Co-Founder Chris Ostoich, “LISNR has powered experiences and connectivity for some of the world’s most admired brands and venues – including Wembley Stadium, The Staples Center, The Grammys, The Cleveland Cavaliers and more. We are excited to partner with the Contemporary Arts Center, Tomas Saraceno and WNDERS on the first augmented audio museum experience in the world using LISNR technology.”

The CAC Digital Docent App will have a huge impact on how CAC visitors interact with our exhibitions, acting as an interactive, virtual gallery guide. “ArtsWave aimed to bring the spark of innovation into the arts this spring with its first arts hackathon, ArtsWave Tech, and we’re thrilled to see the ideas coming to life,” ArtsWave President and CEO Alecia Kintner said. “The CAC Digital Docent app is an example of the amazing things that can happen when the arts and tech communities of Greater Cincinnati come together.”

This intersection of art and technology represents a significant partnership with a prominent and innovative member of the Cincinnati for-profit business community and an innovator in the Arts sector LISNR is a technology company headquartered in the city’s Central Business District. This is a company on the rise, having raised Series B financing led by Intel Capital, recently named 2017 Ohio Valley EY Entrepreneur of the Year, named one of CNBC’s Disruptor 50, a Gold Lion at Cannes Lions, and customers include The Cleveland Cavaliers, AEG, Budweiser, The Grammys, Visa and more.

As the CEO of LISNR, Mr. Williams has grown the company from a single idea to a promising global standard with more than 40 industry awards. As an entrepreneur, he’s received many accolades from a variety of publications. Williams also is a staple in his community mentoring and advocating for the voiceless. He recently was appointed to the University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees.

– Sources: LISNR and BizJournals.com
Photo credits: LISNR and EY

National BDPA’s Washington, D.C. Chapter to Host Annual Tech Awards

WASHINGTON (bdpatoday)—National BDPA’s (NBDPA) Washington, D.C. Chapter (BDPA-DC) will celebrate several milestones during this year’s annual technology and community service awards banquet. Chartered in 1978 to introduce underserved communities to “data processing”, computer sciences, or help bridge digital divides between industry, academia, and government, BDPA-DC also celebrates its 38th Anniversary in 2016.

National High School Computer Competition (HSCC) Launched 30 Years Ago
The National BDPA High School Computer Competition (HSCC) was founded in 1986 by Dr. Jesse L. Bemley, a National BDPA Life Member from Washington, D.C. What started as a two-team event between Washington, D.C. (BDPA-DC) and Atlanta, GA (BDPA Atlanta) HSCC Teams has grown to over 25 teams of students from various high schools in BDPA Chapter cities throughout the nation. HSCC was designed to introduce Student Members to the field of data processing careers, now Information Communication and Technology (ICT), to encourage students to seek higher levels of training, certification, education, and groom them to become our nation’s next generation of ICT leaders and technical professionals.

bdpatoday Reaches 10-Year Milestone
BDPA-DC’s Communications Committee also reaches a new milestone this year with their serial publication, bdpatoday (ISSN 1946-1429), entering its tenth season. The first edition of bdpatoday was published in May of 2007 to promote information technology and cyber success stories through the lenses of underserved communities in advance of the annual National BDPA Technology Conference co-hosted in Washington D.C. that year.

2016 BDPA-DC Award Recipients
BDPA-DC’s 2016 Technology and Community Service Award recipients will be honored on Saturday, November 19, 2016, at the Washington Navy Yard Conference Center from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

This year’s Award Categories for the National Capital Region follow.

• 2016 BDPA-DC Lifetime Achievement Award:
Terry Halvorsen; Department of Defense (DoD), Chief Information Officer (CIO)

• 2016 BDPA-DC Entrepreneur of the Year:
Aaron Saunders; Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Clearly Innovative, Inc.

• 2016 BDPA-DC Member of the Year:
Thurman Jones; Patriots Technology Training Center (PTTC)

• 2016 Chapter President’s Awards:
Instructor Staff: H.O.P.E. Project DMV
“Helping Other People Excel“

• Mission Partner of the Year:
United States Air Force

• Education Partner of the Year:
Bowie State University

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Top cover photo: (L-R) Terry Halvorsen (DoD); Aaron Saunders (Clearly Innovative, Inc.); Thurman Jones (Patriots Technology Training Center); Louis Shack (HSCC); Raymond Bell Jr.; Michael Smith; David Reid, and Dean Cook [not pictured] (H.O.P.E. Project DMV).