On February 26th, Abundant Life Christian Center, Brooklyn, hosted the New York Chapter of Black Data Processing Associates –BDPA’s annual Black Family Technology Awareness Week. It featured a series of workshops geared toward the benefit of both the youth and adults. The workshops included Cyber Security/Cyber Bullying, Careers in the Gaming Industry, Youth IT Showcase, etc.

BDPA NY is a volunteer service organization that strives to advance the careers of the Information Technology Professional, entrepreneur and student. Its goal is to use education, mentorship and business networking to enhance innovation, technical skills and personal growth within our communities.

When asked why they host the event, Co-Chair of BDPA-NY, Damon Holmes said, “We feel it is our responsibility to reinvest in our communities by sharing information and providing interest in areas that can benefit us [the African American community] as a whole. Black Family Technology Awareness Week (BFTWAW) is a national public awareness campaign. It is designed to educate and empower African Americans through technology by preparing our communities to become an integral part of the fastest-moving industry of all time.”

The organization takes on the “digital divide” issue by hosting a program called High School Computer Camp (HSCC). It is a 16-week program that is designed to teach high school students about current technologies including web development and principles for improving their software skills. Students have the opportunity to learn general computer science concepts, web based technology and fundamentals to team building and leadership. Students learn how to design and develop websites. The top students who excel in the program receive the opportunity to compete against students from other BDPA chapters in regional area, as well as the BDPA National Conference.

Renetta English, the chapter’s President mentioned “Statistics show that African Americans youths are as technologically savvy as any other group, but there still to be seems to be a disparity of some sorts in terms of access to being better educated about new technologies, or even producing advances within such fields. We believe that our young people need to have mentors/role models in their lives (for example scientists, programmers, investors or other professionals) to show them the path. For instance, if you don’t know what it takes to be a scientist or inventor how can you become one?”

“Ideally, we hope the attendants will digest the information presented, and use it to create discourse within their families and beyond. Learning the technology to become innovators, which can result in us creating more businesses and allowing additional revenues to flood our communities.” she concluded.

Presenters at the event included Brooklyn Borough President, Hon. Marty Markowitz; NY State Senator, John L. Sampson; Major Heather Roberts (ret)USAFA; and the Founder and Senior Pastor of Abundant Life Christian Center, Festus Adeyeye.