Our Beginning . . . In 1989 several
professional African Americans were approached at
Digital Equipment Corporation by BDPA Dayton Chapter
president Bill Maynard. Bill`s request: To start a BDPA
Cincinnati Chapter. After researching the organization
and discussing the great opportunities it could bring to
the minorities in Cincinnati, we accepted the challenge.
Our Strategy . . . We began the search for
Chapter support by targeting technology-based
individuals in the City of Cincinnati that would serve
as the basis for our stakeholder group.
Our strategy was to approach individuals affiliated
or associated with Cincinnati based Fortune 500
Companies in order to gain a business community
perspective as well as insight, into the needs and
potential value of such an organization as BDPA.
Our Support . . . In our search to gain
insight and perspective from the Cincinnati business
community, we in turn, gained business community
support! Everett L. Gregory, N. Neal Johnson, Brenda
Johnson, Charles Cooper and Gina L. Billings were
delighted with the BDPA - Cincinnati Chapter concept and
what it would bring to the African American community.
They made the official request that National BDPA accept
our charter as a new chapter. In December 1989 the
Cincinnati Chapter of BDPA was officially formed.
Our Success . . . The current success of the
chapter is due to a restructuring in September 1998.
Brenda Hogan, Tina Welch, Marilyn Wilson, Wayne Hicks
and Gina Billings made the decision to rejuvenate the
Chapter. The five of us met weekly for the remainder of
1998 putting together the organizational plans and goals
for 1999. BDPA - Cincinnati Chapter went public in
January of 1999 with our first program meeting since
1997. There were approximately a dozen guests at that
initial program meeting and we ended the month with six
(6) financially current members.
As we continued to provide adult education
opportunities through those monthly program meetings, we
also added quarterly technical & professional
workshops. In 2000, a Youth Technology Seminar series
was added. The Seminar takes place each month and
targets high school & college students.
Our Recognition . . . BDPA - Cincinnati
Chapter has been recognized for its` many community
outreach programs and services. Our success is the
culmination of the efforts of all chapter volunteers,
supporters and sponsors. These accomplishments would not
have been possible without the support of our Board of
Directors, the members and the Corporate Advisory
Council. These people have quietly and consistently
given their time, talent and energy to build our
`Chapter of the Year`! These men & women of all
races, ages, and gender have made a commitment to
excellence with their BDPA involvement. We will continue
to grow, prosper, and provide support to the membership
and the community.
Our Leadership . . . The Chapter's Executive
Leaders Are as Follows:
