Finding Tech Groups


I recently viewed the convention calendar and was astonished to see that there were so many professional associations for African Americans, but what I didn’t see was an organization for African Americans in the IT field. Can you refer me to any Internet associations or organizations?
–N. R. Haywood, Via the Internet

Good question. There are numerous African American organizations dedicated to technology. Here are a few places to start:
The Black Data Processing Associates (www.bdpa.org) is a group that has chapters in more than 40 cities across the country. The organization provides networking meetings and conferences, as well as IT education and training programs.

Also check out African-American Women in Technology (AAWIT; www.aawit.net), which is geared toward the education and employment of women in the technology field. The organization’s founder, Monique Boea, is a professional Web designer and programmer, so if you are looking to connect with members in the field, AAWIT might be a good place to begin.

Another place to visit is Black Geeks Online (www.blackgeeks.net), which isn’t so much an organization as a network. The 30,000-member virtual community of tech professionals represents a variety of fields. Many of the founding members were pioneers in the online arena, such as NetNoir’s E. David Ellington. Hope this information helps you get started on your search.


×