Welcome

In a world of high-cost college tuition, recession, financial bail-outs and fierce global competition, you need an affordable professional association you can count on for insights, jobs and business opportunities.  Our 32 year vision is unwavering:  “Advancing careers from classroom to boardroom.”

Our Youth Biz & Tech Training kicks off at 9am on Saturday, 9 Jan 2010, at Computer Mentors Goup at corner of MLK Jr Blvd and 28th St: 2802 E MLK Jr Blvd, Tampa, FL..

Before BDPA During BDPA At-risk child College-bound student Limited employee candidates Expanded talent pool Limited professional contacts Large Rolodex of high profile contacts Tech challenged Tech savvy Limited management, exec skills P&L responsibility, strategic planning, executive leadership, management and marketing, business development No college internships Numerous college internships Unpublished in my profession Published articles and started work on book Knowledge limited to help desk, testing, tech support Expanded knowledge of biz and tech to Project Management,  Business Analysis, etc.

Our aim is to advance excellence and diversity in the business and IT community.   We achieve this aim by accumulating a pool of executive thought leadership, technical knowledge and business experience to strengthen the expertise of minority members of the information technology and business professions.

Please take a moment to learn more about the BDPA Tampa Chapter and some of the programs and activities in which we are involved.   Join us for our next monthly meeting, held the fourth Thursday of each month from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, 3109 W. MLK Jr. Blvd, Building Lake Pointe II, 6th Floor, Room 609 (near the Tampa Bay Bucaneers stadium).  E-mail us at fpshines@gmail.com. (Register online)

Affordable Membership

At just an annual cost of $75 for our professionals and $15 for full time students, you'll gain access to job and business contacts, top companies, thought leaders, training, membership discounts, technologies, internships and career opportunities available in business and information technology.  BDPA Tampa is always in search of the latest ideas and ways to bring you value.   Join today.

Technology & Biz Training

Youth and adult biz and tech training takes place during Saturday morning training sessions or via webinars (more). Includes:

• SEO and Web Marketing
• Youth Life Skills
• Problem Solving, Project Management
• Website Design
• Business Model, Strategic Planning
• Netbeans and Zoho Apps
• Business Presentation Skills
• Landing Page Optimization
• Database Fundamentals
• Java and HTML Basics

Speakers & Topics

Our 2008-2009 agenda of speaker events covers the entire spectrum of growth, opportunity and personal development, with guest speakers and members earning crystal plaque awards for their contribution:

• How to Find Stimulus Jobs in a Digital Age - Carmin Wharton, Author, Entrepreneur
• Cloud Computing & Zoho Apps
• How to Improve Your Executive Presence: Lessons from Obama - Thomas Mungavan, Author
• Next Big Thing: Google, Adobe Others Eye Digital Signage Market
• How to Invest in a Post-Bailout Economy - Ron May, Wachovia
• How SOA / Web Services is Changing Business: Zak Merzouki, Camstar
• Practical, Real-Life Lessons on Complex Project Management: 
• What Rapid Growth of On Demand, Web 2.0 and Software / Platform as a Service (SaaS / PaaS) Means to You:  Frank Shines, Author, Skill of Success
• How to Leapfrog Others and Advance Your Career
• How to Apply Lean Six Sigma in all Areas of business: Six Sigma Master Black Belt
• Overcoming Resistance to Change:  Change Leadership Member
• Access to BDPA member developed web-based Lean Six Sigma and process improvement project management system

Meetings and Development Opportunities

• Monthly meetings every 4th Thursday on relevant business and technology issues )
• Annual National Technology Conference with Fortune 500, Government, Military, Small and Medium Businesses
• Public speakers and speaking opportunities (more)
• Network Jungle events with University of South Florida
• Links to online resources and professional communities.

2009 At-Risk Youth Charity Event



NFL Superbowl winner, Ryan Nece (former Tampa Bay Bucs), was the keynote speaker for our youth charity event at the Intercontinental Hotel on September 12, 2009.  Our heartfelt thanks to Allison Stokes and the Ryan Nece Foundation for their support and inspiring keynote speech!  The event, which recognized local Tampa Bay youth, included a continental breakfast, prizes, awards and corporate goodies. (View photos)

2009 Youth Charity Award Recipients

Lives Under Construction - Health, Fitness & Nutrition

• Jayven Fitzpatrick - Most Improved Award
• Kelsey Hills - Excellence in Community Service
• Marcus Edwards - Mentoring & Leadership Award
• Barbara Rodgers - Team Player Award

BDPA-Computer Mentors Group - Business & Technology Training

• Daniel Grant - National High School Computer Competition (HSCC)
• Rhys Campbell - HSCC
• Lee Gibson - HSCC
• Jesse Stringer
• Courtney Wright
• Kaleb Brooks
• Jose Duque
• Denzel Strowder
• Keron Smith
• Aikyannia Traven
• Juan Oller
• Tyree Anderson
• Alexx Troy
• Racine Woods
• David Garcia
   

Business & Technology Trainers / Speakers

• Anthony McClay - Trainer
• Manish Kharod - Trainer
• Paddy O’Brien - Trainer
• Milcah Jones - Trainer
• Andre Hudson - Speaker
• Aris Akavan - Speaker
• Ian Elius - Speaker

Participating Organizations & Sponsors Our many thanks go out to those who have supported us: 

• Pricewaterhouse Coopers, 2009 Outstanding Achievement for Facilities and Infrastructure Support
• The Nielsen Company, 2009 Outstanding Achievement for High School Computer Competition Support
• Sarasota Interventional Radiology, 2009 Excellence in Community Service
• Pilgrim Software, 2009 Membership Support & Diversity in Technology
• Trinity Eye Care, 2009 Brighter Vision Award
• Mustard Seed Communities
• APEX Digital Imaging
• Body Fitness by Aris, Speaker Award
• O’Brien Management Services
• Girls Raised in the South (GRITS)
• Educational Training Consultants
• Pro Builder Fitness, Speaker Award
• Skill of Success

What We Do

We address the most pressing business and technology needs of students, professionals and entrepreneurs through a number of programs, venues and events:

Education and Career Building

• Professional development (more)
• Student training and education programs (more)
• Job training and internships
• Charity, entrepreneur and at-risk youth training with Computer Mentors Group
• National High School Computer Competition & Tampa Tech Bowl
• NEW Public Speaking
• NEW Business Planning, Entrepreneurship
• NEW SAT/ACT College Prep
• NEW Business Etiquette
• Health, Fitness & Nutrition