Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) is an American non-profit organization that serves the professional well-being of
African Americans and other minorities working within technology. BDPA provides resources that support the professional growth and technical development of minority individuals in the
information technology
Information technology (IT) is the use of computers to create, process, store, retrieve, and exchange all kinds of data . and information. IT forms part of information and communications technology (ICT). An information technology system ...
industry. Through education and leadership, BDPA promotes innovation, business skills, and professional development. The organization has over 50 chapters throughout the United States. BDPA National headquarters is located in
Largo, Maryland
Largo, located within greater Upper Marlboro, Maryland, is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The population was 11,605 at the 2020 census.
Largo is located just east of the ...
.
History
BDPA was founded in 1975 by
Earl A. Pace Jr. and David Wimberly after the two met in
Philadelphia
Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...
to discuss their concerns about
ethnic minorities
The term 'minority group' has different usages depending on the context. According to its common usage, a minority group can simply be understood in terms of demographic sizes within a population: i.e. a group in society with the least number o ...
in the data processing field. The founders cited a lack of minorities in middle and upper management, low recruitment and poor preparation of minorities for these positions, and an overall lack of career mobility. The founders built an organization of 35 members, hosted presentations to improve data processing skills and launched a job opportunities announcement service. This nucleus has grown to over 50 chapters throughout the United States and thousands of members. The organization is a catalyst for professional growth and technical development for those in the IT industry.
BDPA has been active in community involvement, mentorship, and classes, especially during
COVID-19
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quickl ...
. In summer 2020, BDPA offered STEM-related mentorship and classes for high school students in Indiana. In 2021, BDPA collected laptops and other electronics for children's e-learning efforts for Afghan refugees at
Camp Atterbury
Camp Atterbury-Muscatatuck is a federally-owned military post, licensed to and operated by the Indiana National Guard, located in south-central Indiana, west of Edinburgh, Indiana and U.S. Route 31. The camp's mission is to provide full logi ...
.
BDPA High School Computer Competition
The National High School Computer Competition (HSCC) was founded in 1986. The competition started as a two-team event between Washington, DC, and Atlanta, Georgia, and now has over 20 teams from chapters throughout the nation.
High School Computer Competition (HSCC) Program
bdpa.org
See also
* Black in AI
References
External links
BDPABDPA Education and Technology Foundations (BETF)
{{Authority control
African-American professional organizations
Information technology organizations based in North America
Professional associations based in the United States
1975 establishments in the United States
Diversity in computing
Organizations established in 1975
Data activism
Data and information organizations