THE NEW BITWISE 2011The Premier Cutting – Edge Technology Organization in Networking,

Academics, Technology Training, Job Placement and Career Resources.

For Blacks in Technology Working in Software Engineering

WPF

MVVM

Share Point

XNA Game StudioActive Directory.NET

Windows Phone 7

BiTWiSE Table of Contents

Mission Statement

Advisory Board Members

Plans of Action

Support Infrastructure

MISSION STATEMENT

“Computer programming is an art, because it applies accumulated knowledge to the world, it requires skill and ingenuity, and especially because it produces objects of beauty.”

Daniel Knuth

“ Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lightning of a fire. “ W.B. Yeats

BiTWiSE 3 Tier Mission Statement

To encourage, shape and direct the pipeline of future innovators and technology talent of African Americans in the United States.To create a network of fully functional labor resource pools from which we can harvest the crème de la crème and most technology-driven masterminds of this century.To foster excellence with leading edge technology training and innovation by providing basic computer literacy to educators /students , and networking with Corporate, Academic and Community Partners to achieve and enhance a deep pool of qualified black talent.

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

BITWISE

Kai Dupé – Advisory Board Chairman

My name is Kai Dupe.  I run a small business called KDP.  I work with men of color to help them to maximize their full potential.  I am very concerned with the plight of men of color.  I am currently conducting research to determine success factors in the unique journey of success for African American males in America.  

I have studied educational technology and I travel around the world advocating the use of technology in education.  Recently I was invited to speak on using virtual worlds as a means of teaching leadership at the Paris International Conference on Education, Economy & Society.  I hold a Bachelors degree in Computer Science from Trinity University in San Antonio and I have a Masters degree in educational technology.  I am currently pursuing my doctorate in educational leadership from Pepperdine University. 

 

I believe travel is a great way to learn.  This philosophy has taken me from Havana, Cuba to Capetown, South Africa.  I am an online instructor for Kaplan University where I teach courses in programming and database design.  I was recently published in the Texas Computer Education Association's (TCEA) TechEdge journal.  I volunteer my time to the community by serving as Director of Communications for The Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) .

 

He is also the founder of the Where Are Blacks in Technology blog.  Mr. Dupé is the co-host of The Diop and Dupe Show, where he and his co-host discuss all matters relating to African American males. Kai is a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT)Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD). He has vast programming experience in Delphi, Visual Basic, C#.

Kai is a contributing writer for The African American News & Issues Newspaper.http://www.aframnews.com/websitepublisher/articles/black-women-getting-into-the-game.html

He writes for Ujima Magazine an African American Community magazine. http://ujimamagazine.com/?cat=123

Mr. Dupe is on the advisory board of the (ABNA) The Austin Black Newcomers Association. http://austinsblacknewcomers.org/about-us/

Kevin Williams – Advisory Board Member

I am the President and CEO of Circadian Solutions Group, Inc.

In 2003 I started a company that creates business solutions for small to medium businesses. Builds customized servers, workstations and laptops. Writes custom software solutions. Repairs and upgrades computers. Consults individuals and small businesses on the purchasing and setup for their IT needs.

 

Prior to that I worked as an IT Manager for College Crib a college greek store in Nashville,TN Prior to that I worked as a Quality Assurance Supervisor for Dell Computer Corporation in TX and TN.

I studied Computer Science at Austin Community College Austin, TX

I am a CompTIA certified A+ Technician, CompTIA certified Network+ Technician and a

VMware Certified Professional.

I am vastly knowledged in the Basics of Supply Chain Management, Global Diversity Training, Dell Process Improvement - Yellow Belt training (Six Sigma), Dell Process Improvement - Green Belt training (Six Sigma), 5S Training, Visual Basic 6,Visual Interdev, HTML, Javascript, Microsoft Office, Kronos

I am a member of the ASQ (American Society of Quality), APICS (The Educational Society of Resource Management),Intel Channel Partner, Western Digital Select Partner, Seagate and Maxtor Channel Partner, VMware Channel Partner, Cisco Channel Partner, CompTIA member,

I am a Registered iPhone Developer, Registered Motorola Developer, Registered Samsung Developer, Registered LG Developer, Registered Blackberry Developer, Registered Nokia Developer, Intuit Developer Network, Registered Sun Developer, Registered Appcelarator Developer

LaShawn Brown-Sithole – Advisory Board Member Lori ‘LaShawn’ Brown-Sithole (Sit oh’ lay) is the President and CEO of One in a Billion

Consulting. It is the parent company for the team building workshop model called “Everybody Matters.”

 

Ms. Brown a graduate of Baylor University. After graduation, she worked at the Texas State Capitol in the House of Representatives and for several lobby groups including: Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas, Inc. and The Texas Professional Sports Association. Clients included: Dallas Stars, Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Oilers, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs and Bruton Smith/NASCAR Owner.

 

She has also worked as a team leader/manager for various campaigns from former Texas Governor Ann Richards to President Barack Obama. She has spoken at several national and regional conferences including: National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Society for Human Resource Management Regional Diversity Conference and a 3 year returning speaker for the technology group National Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA).

 

She is a published author of 3 books and hosts an international blog that has reached 131 countries in under one year. One of her deepest passion is inspiring young people to be their absolute best at whatever they choose to do.

 

She has provided training to: Waco ISD, Caritas of Waco, The Baylor University Graduate School of Social Work, local SHRM Conference just to name a few. She has served on the Board of the Waco Civic Theatre, as a committee chair for the Cen-Tex African American Chamber of Commerce and Habit for Humanity Volunteer.

 

She loves speaking to and working with young people and has done so for over 30 years . Currently, she is a Camp Fire Club Leader, community activist and an active member of Toliver Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.

 

Mrs. Sithole is also a proud founding member of the Microsoft BiTWISE African American Advisory Board. Additionally, she is the Vice President of the Next Young Phenom Foundation, Inc., which was developed to create scholarships for youth in technology and the arts.

 

www.nypfoundation.org

http://oneinabillionconsulting.com/

Shetay Ashford – Advisory Board MemberShetay N. Ashford, Founder & CEOK Empowerment Group LLCShetay@KEmpowermentGroup.com

Since her senior year in college, Shetay N. Ashford has felt called to use her entrepreneurial talents to empower others to fulfill their purpose in life. Since the death of her grandfather, Willie James Richardson, a successful Entrepreneur who ran “Willie’s Welding and Ornamental Shop” for 38 years in Liberty City, Florida, which is noted as Miami's poorest and most dangerous neighborhood, she is on a mission to create a sustainable social enterprise model that helps lifts cities, communities and nations out of poverty.

Ms. Ashford is Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer of K Empowerment Group LLC, a social enterprise that empowers people to fulfill their purpose in the 21st century. Through her organization, she has launched Technology 4-LIFE, an education enterprise that creates career readiness solutions, and Kingdom Business Development Center.

She started her first company, Youth Mentoring Technologies, Inc. in 2005 when asked to create a 12-week technology literacy program for the University of South Florida, who was the recipient of the GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness for Undergraduate Programs) federal grant through the Department of Education. Through this opportunity, she founded the Technology for Life program which was rebranded in 2010 as Technology 4-LIFE.Ms. Ashford is a strategic thinker and visionary leader with over 10 years of experience in the High Tech and Management Consulting industries with Fortune 10, 50 and 500 companies such as General Electric, Dell Computers, and PricewaterhouseCoopers respectively. She has led 100+ global new product training launches for a collective audience of 10,000 sales, retail, and technical support professionals in the US, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, China and Japan for Enterprise and Consumer businesses. Moreover, she has led business process improvements that have resulted in over $700k in cost avoidance savings.

She serves on the Education Equals Economics Alliance - Community Accountability team, a graduate of the 2010 Leadership Austin Essential Class, a past nominee for the 2009 Community Motivator Award through the Texas Governor’s Office, and a member of several Chamber of Commerce's in the Central Texas region. She holds a BS in Computer Science from the University of South Florida and will obtain a Master’s degree from Texas State University in August 2011. Currently, she is conducting her graduate research on the topic: “How Social Entrepreneurship Creates Social Value to Alleviate Poverty”.

Graham Cumberbatch – Advisory Board Member

Graham Cumberbatch is a writer and graphic designer from the great state of Texas, in a quaint town called Austin, with a background in print design and journalism. He graduated from Brown University with a degree in Modern Culture and Media and a focus in Africana Studies.  Based in Austin, he currently works in marketing as a copy writer and designer and continues to freelance as a writer and designer.

PLANS OF ACTION

BiT WiSE SWOT Analysis

Passion for support and development (pipeline)Stimulate passion for technologyIncrease knowledge of current technologyAccess to Industry Leaders (MS)Board has experience in Focus Areas

-Terminology is dated, narrowly defined

No connection with current trends (75% Arts in Tech) or pop culture @ Microsoft-Lack of cultural support for technology-Decline in youth tech education -No multimedia platform to engage-Lack of AfrAmer in Techn./STEM Academia-Lack of Access / Digital Divide

Blacks are being left out of the big pictureRisk of becoming Designated Serfs (slaves) --> Social Civil Rights issueAccess to High Tech Jobs

Re-message careers in “High Tech” and “IT” Link Creative w/ Hi Tech. Engagement of ParentsEducate on terminology/vocabularyClose the gap of access to technology (socio-economic status)Increase the critical mass in tech industryRevenue generating activitiesMonetized focus groups for Tech (facilitate)Increased access to tech resources (open-source, etc.)Supplier Diversity (Expand number of Blacks)Policy Legislature – Advocacy (1-2yrs.)

Strengths

Weaknesses

ThreatsOpportunities

Call to Action Looking at the SWOT Analysis the following call to action is proposed:

Host Quarterly EventsHost Annual ConferenceProvide Training and CertificationsDevelop a Community Network to include:

Academic PartnersCollegiateTechnicalK-12

Community PartnersChurchesChambers of Commerce

Event SponsorsCorporate Partners

Develop membership driven organizationEstablish Membership Fees

Academic MembershipCommunity MembershipCorporate Membership

Quarterly EventsKICKOFF of MODEL EVENT :

June 24, 2011 from 5pm-10pm

Initial event will be held at the Microsoft South Central Office in Austin, TX

Audience: 200 Attendees from all over TexasHour 1: Registration/NetworkingHour 2: Networking of educational , community and

corporate technology representativesHour 3: Official Introduction of BiTWiSE by Kai Dupe

Confirmed Key Note Speaker: Linda Cureton, Chief Information Officer ,

NASAHour 4: Technology Sessions (in 15 minute intervals to allow people to rotate in/out)

Hot Sessions concurrently in smaller rooms to demonstrate new technologiesHour 5: Door prizes, Evaluations, Wrap Up, Networking,

Digital Membership Sign Up Opportunities on site

Annual Conference

Possible Continuing Education Units include:Software DevelopmentCloud Computing/InfrastructureRoboticsMobile ApplicationsSecurityWireless CommunicationsProject Management

Other Educational Tracks Specific to:Issues for Colleges/University PartnersIssues for K-12 Partners, including computer

literacy/languageCorporate Teambuilding

Sponsor Recognition/Corporate Awards Ceremony Dinner

Year 1-2 One day eventYear 3-4 Two day event

Year 5 Three day event

 

Training and Certifications

BiTWiSE will work with the Accreditation Board of Engineering &Technology to create certification and continuing education opportunities in Computer Science and Information Technology by submitting the required data to the following specific accreditation commissions:

Applied Science Computing Technology Engineering

BiTWiSE will offer basic computer literacy, including language and hands on product training for its educational partners

Multimedia Campaigns

Community Network

Public and Private Colleges/UniversitiesK-12 Public, Private and Charter SchoolsYouth Service OrganizationsCommunity Center Computer LabsChambers of CommerceNational Urban LeagueChurchesLocal Radio & Print Media

SUPPORT INFASTRUCTURE

Corporate Founding Partner

Potential Corporate Partners

Potential Academic Partners

Potential Community Partners

Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church

Potential Event Sponsors

Committed Attendees

Proposal SummaryLogos listed in this proposal represent entities with whom BiTWiSE Advisory Board Members have made initial contact regarding their participation.

Quarterly events will be replicated three times per year/one per quarter in various US cities. The first will take place in Austin, Texas followed by Raleigh, NC and Miami, FL.

The fourth event will be the annual conference with a possible venue of Atlanta, GA. This annual event will encompass much of the quarterly event format with the addition of certification and technical training opportunities. To conclude each annual conference, BiTWiSE will host an awards ceremony to acknowledge and appreciate top corporate sponsors and highly engaged community and educational partners.

Membership fees have yet to be determined. As membership is developed, members will be grouped based on their location. States will then be grouped into regions and annual conferences will be held at varying locations within each region.