News

“Chance opportunity changed the future”

Written by Angela Haskell Tribune Correspondent Tuesday, 23 February 2010 19:50

BDPA Founder: Earl Pace

Earl Pace’s computer job at the Pennsylvania Railroad led him to develop a national networking group for Blacks

Black Data Processing Associates co-Founder Earl Pace Jr. is among the Class of 1960 alumnus of West Philadelphia High School.

This year marks the 50th anniversary for Earl Pace Jr. and other 1960 West Philadelphia High School alumni. Fifty years ago and more than 400 miles south of Philadelphia, four African-American college freshmen, also known as the “Greensboro Four,” waged a sit-in at the lunch counter of F. W. Woolworth in Greensboro, N.C.

The early 1960s was a historic time in African-American history and the beginning of Pace’s notable journey. The racial climate of the country did not hinder Pace as he decided to pursue his dream of becoming a labor relations attorney.

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Post Secondary Education Opportunity, only 36 percent of African-Americans enrolled in college during the early 1960s.

Pace was inspired by the many heroic struggles of the Civil Rights Movement and the opportunities that existed for African Americans because of it. By 1965, Pace was married and celebrating the birth of his daughter and searching of a job to support his family. With affirmative action buzzing across the country, Pace remained optimistic about securing a job as a labor relations specialist with the Pennsylvania Railroad.

Unfortunately for Pace — or so he thought at the time — the job was already filled by another African-American. “I did not get the labor relations position I desired, however, I have never looked back,” said Pace.

Pennsylvania Railroad offered Pace an opportunity to work in the newly formed information systems department as a computer programmer. With a personnel and labor relations degree from Pennsylvania State University, Pace was nervous as he completed the aptitude test for the programming position. To his surprise, Pace passed the computer test and was on the road to beginning his career and life as a computer professional. Pace quickly maximized the wealth of computer training and development available to him through his employers. Through his journey, he was constantly faced with being one of several African-Americans in the computer field whenever he attended workshops and seminars.

“There was a significant need for computer programmers and professionals. Companies did not care about race. The only concern was finding experienced professionals,” Pace said.

There was a growing need for a community of African-American computer professionals. With the goal of increasing technology awareness, promoting professional networking opportunities and improving upward mobility for African-American professionals, Pace co-founded Black Data Processing Associates and formed Pace Data Systems, in 1975 and 1976 respectively.

BDPA’s motto, “From the Classroom to the Boardroom,” is reflected in the accomplishments of more than 50 chapters across the country. “Growing BDPA from a handful of members in Philadelphia to a national organization is a major achievement,” Pace said. “Thousands of individuals and careers have been positively impacted. This is one of my proudest accomplishments.”

In 2001 and 2002, Black Money magazine named Pace as one of the 50 Most Influential African Americans in Information Technology. In 1997, he received the National Technical Association’s National Technical Achiever Award as Computer Scientist of the Year.

Pace is still working to create more college chapters within BDPA as well as increasing international initiatives and expand programs for entrepreneurship. Pace is excited that 32nd national BDPA conference will be returning to his Philadelphia hometown this summer. For more information on BDPA or the upcoming national conference, visit www.bdpa.org.

“Transforming while Performing…as we take BPDA to the Next Level”

Above (l-r): Founder - Earl Pace, President Elect - Monique Berry, President - Yvette Graham, Dr. Randall Pinkett

These are the famous words of our new National President, Yvette Graham after a busy weekend and safe return from snowy Philadelphia.

The 2010-2011 Administration of National BDPA successfully kicked off the beginning of the new 2-year term at their 1st Quarter National Board of Directors (NBOD) Meeting held at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, February 5 - 6, 2010. The winter storm of Philadelphia may have closed down restaurants, businesses and even the airport, but didn’t delay the business of the NBOD as they set the wheels in motion. The packed agenda included featured special guest speaker, Dr. Randall Pinkett who covered the aspects of professional growth and development that grow managers into the great leaders of tomorrow.

BDPA Requests Your Support for Haiti Rescue and Relief

Message from our National President Yvette Graham

"BDPA Family, it is with sadness that I send this message to you, but by now each of you have seen and heard of the devastation that has occurred in Haiti”. So many lives have been lost and communities destroyed. I am asking each of you to support the citizens of Haiti. Many prayers are going out for the people in Haiti as well as the families and friends across these United States who are trying so desperately to locate their loved ones there. National BDPA urges its members and supporters to donate to Haiti to aid in the recovery of this nation. I am urging you to contribute what you can as soon as possible. Below are recommendations:

	The American Red Cross' primary focus during the initial response of an emergency is feeding, sheltering and supplying any other basic needs. To donate: Go to RedCross.org, hit donate now button at top and then International Response Fund. You also can text " Haiti " to 90999 to donate $10 to the International Response Fund. The money will go directly to relief efforts in Haiti . Visit RedCross.org or call 1-800-Red-Cross.
	Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) is a humanitarian organization that delivers medical care to people caught in crisis. Donations to its Haiti relief efforts will go toward repairing the obstetrics and trauma hospitals in Haiti that were damaged in the earthquake. They also will go to transporting an additional 70 doctors and medical supplies to the island in an effort to set up makeshift emergency medical response centers. To donate, go to www.doctorswithoutborders.org or call 1-888-392-0392.
	Founded by Wyclef Jean, Yéle Haiti creates projects to improve the quality of education, health, environment and community development in Haiti . To donate to its Haiti relief efforts, go to yele.org or text YELE to 501501 to donate $5.