The Cincinnati chapter of the Black Data Processing Association (BDPA) has in recent years run programs training teens interested in computers or technology.

        Called the Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship Program, or SITES, the program consists of a computer camp, a youth technology seminar series and the formation of a team for the National Computer Competition.

        This year, the Circuit: Cincinnati's Digital Connection is also sponsoring SITES.

        “The SITES program is what our community needs to increase the number of young people interested in a technology career,” said Blaine Clark, president of the Circuit, an information technology organization.

        “The camp offers about 10 weeks of intensive training for the National Computer Competition. Instructors are brought in, and it involves more than training in technology. The students are given instruction on personal presentation. The Circuit helped to purchase books for the camp and seminar series.”

        The Cincinnati BDPA is one of the largest chapters in the nation with more than 200 members. Just three years ago, the group was struggling with only a handful of members.

        Last year Cincinnati's SITES team took second place in the National Computer Competition in Chicago.

        The training will help minorities gain a competitive edge, said Cincinnati's BDPA outgoing president Wayne Hicks, who will become the national association's president.

        Students are trained in Web page development, programming in Visual Basic 6.0, computer terminology, team building and presentation skills.

        To apply, students must be in the ninth, 10th or 11th grades and have a good grade point average. The top five students in the program are selected to go to Washington, D.C., for this year's National Computer Competition.

        The partnership with the Circuit “brings together the mission to enable our valuable resource of bright and creative young people and the needs of the marketplace,” Mr. Hicks said.

        Gina Billings, who has served three years as president of the Cincinnati chapter in the past, will lead it through 2002.

        She has been recognized by the National BDPA as the Current National BDPA Member of the Year.

        Frank Hill was unanimously voted chapter president for 2003-2004. The National BDPA recently named him “Outstanding Contributor of the Year.”

        BDPA is a not-for-profit professional association founded in 1975 in Philadelphia. It has grown to include 40 chapters throughout the United States. Membership is opened to anyone with an interest in information technology industry.

        For information, call 513-956-0636.
       Know a diversity success story? Call 513-768-8600.
       

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