Reflections on the BiTWiSE June 2011 Connect

The first BiTWiSE event was a great success. We had over 100 people turnout. Everyone seemed to have a good time enjoying the food, music and beverages as they made new connections and learned what about the mission of BiTWiSE.

After the initial conversations and networking took place, I welcomed the group and made it clear why BiTWiSE was formed and acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the BiTWiSE team, Eve Lewis, Kevin Williams, LaShawn Sithole, and Kai Dupe.

The highlight of the event was the keynote. Linda Cureton, Chief Information Officer at NASA gave an inspiring and timely speech. She told of her love and math and her journey to becoming one of the highest ranking officers at NASA.

Several of the young aspiring engineers reveled at the chance to speak with her 1-on-1. Several colleges were on hand including Baylor University of Waco, Texas and Hutson-Tillotson University of Austin.

Attendees were present from all over the state including San Antonio, Waco, Dallas and Houston. There was even one attendee who traveled all the way from Nebraska. The night was certainly about meeting new people and having a good time, but we also wanted attendees to come away with something that would help them to further their careers.

There were 3 presentations scheduled for the evening, but due to technical challenges we were only able to host one presentation. But it was a great one. The other presentations can be viewed at SlideShare, search for BiTWiSE.

Chief Operating Officer of Appiction, the largest mobile phone development shop, gave an informative and motivating talk about the opportunities that exist for those in the mobile space who prepare themselves to take advantage.

We received positive feedback from several of the guests. Here are a few of the remarks:

“Austin needs more events like this. You all did an outstanding job putting it together.”
--Ramonica Jones, Special Olympics of Texas


“This was great! We go to a lot of events and many of them have been stinkers. But this one, oh this one was wonderful. Please keep us up-to-date on what else you do.”
--Kelly Luna, Recruiting Coordinator of St. Edward’s University

We were very happy with the outcome and the BiTWiSE team is very excited and hard at work to establish the organization as a non-profit as well as planning the next connect event for 2011.

Are you BiTWiSE
Kai Dupe, BiTWiSE Advisory Board Chair

BiTWiSE gets Social

A few weeks ago BiTWiSE attended a seminar entitled Social Media Bootcamp for CEOs in Austin, Texas. Although we have been well aware of the benefits of social media for quite some time, there is always room to learn more. And indeed we did. Since one of the main tenets of our organization is to build a network of African American technologist utilizing Internet marketing in general and social media networking in particular is an important part of our strategy. Below is a list of our points of connection thus far:

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/WeAreBiTWiSE
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/WeAreBiTWiSE
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/WeAreBiTWiSE

BiTWiSE Welcome

Welcome to the BiTWiSE blog.  This is blog home for the official BiTWiSE  organization.  BiTWiSE is not a new organization.  It was started in 2010 by Microsoft. The organization initiated as a LinkedIn group and is working to meet its original promise of being The Idea Exchange for Black Software Engineers. 

BiTWiSE’s inaugural and only event thus far took place last May.  I attended this event and I have never felt more alive.  To be surrounded by other Black technology professionals who share my passion for technology and be able to share ideas about technology, culture, as well as providing leadership and mentoring to the next generation of African American technology talent was both rewarding and invigorating.

The organization is under new management.  At the suggestion of leadership at Microsoft, BiTWiSE was to be re-invented as a non-profit organization and I was asked to lead this effort.  A five member advisory board was assembled and our first meeting was held on April 7, 2010 on the Microsoft Las Colinas campus.

Today is a new day for BiTWiSE.  This blog will become the central location to keep up with news and events regarding the activities of BiTWiSE as well as place to keep up with the landscape of technologies as we seek innovative ideas to not only allow our members to excel but also to generate the next generation of African American technology talent.

Stay tuned!

BiTWiSE Advisory Board

BiTWiSE June 2011 Connect