1. BDPA & Luxottica Retail
Information Technology Thought Leaders
Advancing Careers from the Classroom to the Boardroom
August 15, 2012
2. BDPA Cincinnati
(6th largest BDPA chapter in the nation!)
BDPA seeks to advance the careers of African
Americans in the IT industry from the
classroom to the boardroom. We hope to
create a relationship with Luxottica Retail.
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3. About BDPA
Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) is a non-
profit organization of professionals working in or having
an interest in the Information Technological fields. BDPA
is a diverse representation of information technology
professionals.
Membership consist of programmers, analysts,
engineers, managers, chief executive officers, vice
presidents, instructors and entrepreneurs, to name a
few.
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4. Vision and Mission
Our Vision
Is to be a powerful advocate for our stakeholders' interests within
the Information Technology industry.
Our Mission
BDPA Cincinnati Chapter is a member-focused organization that
exists to provide professional development programs and
services and community outreach to position its members at the
forefront of the Information Technology industry.
Stakeholders = members, sponsors, IT entrepreneurs,
Black community, educational institutions
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5. BDPA Cincinnati Chapter History
Local Chapter Chartered in December 1989
Founders: Gina Billings, Charles Cooper, Everett Gregory, Neal
Johnson and Brenda Johnson
Chapter Honors
‘BDPA Chapter of the Year’ (2001-2002, 2004, 2006)
National BDPA Presidents: Wayne Hicks, Gina Billings
Past Connections to Luxottica Retail
Ernest Gause – BDPA board of directors (2011-present)
Leonard Rivers – past BDPA Columbus chapter president
Sponsor in 2012 (in-kind gifts to program meeting speakers)
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6. The BDPA Education Life
Cycle Program
Corporate Advisory Council
IT Senior Management Forum
Professional Development
Summer Internship
Program (College)
Youth Technology
Seminar Series
Computer Camp & HS
Computer Competition
Adopt-a-School
Adopt-a-Class
Advancing Careers from the Classroom to the Boardroom
7. BDPA Membership Benefits
(Students: $25/year or Professionals: $100/year)
1. Program Meetings
3rd Thursdays; hosted by Procter & Gamble
2. Career Center - recruit diverse IT talent
3. Networking – uniting Black IT professionals in Cincinnati USA
4. IT Professional Development
5. Student Programs
High School Computer Camp (24 students) @ CinState
High School Computer Competition (5 students) and IT Showcase
(4 students) -- Regional @ CinState; National @ Washington DC
on Aug 14-17, 2012
TECHie Club (40 elementary school students) w/ Taft STEM
Elementary School
Advancing Careers from the Classroom to the Boardroom 7
8. How Can BDPA Help Luxottica Retail?
1. Recruit Diverse IT Talent in Cincinnati
Informing Black technology students and professionals in the
Midwest region and around the nation about Luxottica Retail
2. Retain Diverse IT Talent in Cincinnati
Share message of professional development w/ Black IT
professionals who are current Luxottica Retail employees
3. Community Outreach (‘good corporate citizen’)
Greater connection for Luxottica Retail to the Black community
Favorable marketing and publicity opportunities to promote STEM
education & commercialization in Cincinnati; end digital divide
4. Market Share
Encourage BDPA members and sponsors to purchase products
from Luxottica Retail
Advancing Careers from the Classroom to the Boardroom 8
9. What We Need From Luxottica Retail
1. Sponsor ‘Black Family Technology Awareness Week’ -
1-day event; donate laptops for families; workshops; tech expo
2. Support BDPA’s Student Programs
TECHie Club – 1 hour per week volunteer to work with 3rd-5th
grade students on programming, web development and such
Provide summer internships (paid or unpaid) for our STEM-
trained high school or college students
3. Sponsor HSCC & IT Showcase Students (9)
Brandon Berry Memorial Scholarship
Participation at 2013 national HSCC championship in Wash DC
4. Sponsor Midwest Regional HSCC & IT Showcase
June 2013, Cincinnati State
5. Sponsor monthly program meeting – speakers,
refreshments, financial literacy handouts
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10. BDPA Cincinnati Supporters
1. Brown Mackie College
2. Christ Church Cathedral
3. Cincinnati Bell Wireless
4. Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
5. Computer Sciences Corporation
6. Global Novations
7. HP
8. Procter & Gamble
We hope to add Luxottica Retail to this list!
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