BDPA Educates with Black Family Technology Awareness Week
By Robert Jeffrey II February 23, 2011
With every passing year, technology grows in leaps and bounds. From smart phones to I-Pads, it’s become a daily chore to keep up with each advance. Unfortunately, as with a host of things, those with less money are often left in the wake of such advances, playing catch up with each change.
As highlighted by Aaron Smith, a Pew Internet Project Senior Research Specialist, in his September 2010 report, “Technology Trends Among People Of Color”, within the past decade, “African Americans have made up substantial ground in the last year when it comes to home broadband adoption.”
Similarly though, “even with these gains they continue to trail whites in broadband use at home. They are also quite a bit less likely than whites to own a desktop computer—51% of African-American adults do, compared with 65% of whites.”
The New York Chapter of the Black Data Processors Association (BDPA) hopes to combat such inequities by hosting this year’s Black Family Technology Awareness Week (BFTAW).
Culminating in a Saturday event to be held on February 26 at the Abundant Life Christian Center, in Brooklyn, NY, this free event will include seminars on topics such as cyber security/cyber bullying, careers in the gaming industry, and a showcase featuring students’ research into a host of technological fields.
Damon Holmes, director of Business & Professional Development for the NYC BDPA chapter, provided further insight into the upcoming event, along with his thoughts on the continuing discussion of the “digital divide” that exists for minorities.
“Black Family Technology Awareness Week (BFTAW) is a national public awareness campaign,” Holmes said. “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.
“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,” continued Holmes.
In its constant goal to level the playing field for African Americans, he provided further insight into the year-long goals of his organization, while expanding on what he feels the “digital divide” is.
“I would describe the “Digital Divide” as the gap between those individuals and communities that have—and do not have access—to the technologies that transforms daily living,” Holmes explained.
“Our organization has 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 of team building and leadership.”
On top of providing opportunities like HSCC, the question arises of whether there is anything else that can be done?
“Young people need to have mentors/role models in their lives (for example: scientists, programmers, inventors or other professionals) to show them the path,” he continued.
“For instance, if you don't know what it takes to be a scientist or inventor how can you become one? Learning the technology to become innovators can result in us creating more businesses, and allowing additional revenues to flood our communities.”
With Saturday’s activities, it is the hope of Holmes and his fellow organizers that audiences will be able to take something of worth from the event.
“We have received a great deal of positive feedback. The general consensus is that the community needs and appreciates our efforts,” said Holmes.
“Ideally, we hope that attendants will digest the information presented, and use it to create discourse within their families and beyond.”
Robert Jeffrey II is an award-winning Atlanta-based freelance writer whose work has appeared in such publications as Ja Dore magazine, The Atlanta Voice newspaper, and Urban Voices In Comics. When he’s not ranting and raving about comic books, he’s actually writing them. Check out http://www.terminusmedia.com/ for his comic book story, Daddy’s Little Girl, featured in the anthology, Terminus Tales Presents #1: Platypus vs. Monkey.” Robert can also be found at http://robertspageofwriting.blogspot.com/.
