US Black Engineer

Putin to Obama, McCain: Top This

2008-09-25T12:01:00.007-05:00

It's beyond Sputnik 2.0. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is now determined to make mother Russia a world leader in science and technology.

Putin has urged that his country spend $25 billion (600 billion Russian rubles) over the next two years to pump up its ageing technology infrastructure. He also offered ambitious plans to create two national research universities to direct fundamental research over five years to the tune of another $10 billion.

The news came after the end of August, when Russia’s heavy-handed aggression toward it's much smaller neighbor, Georgia, drew the ire of the world – perhaps a harbinger of foreign problems that will confront the next American president. Putin's Kremlin-like military actions may be outdated, cold-war style, but he understands upgrading Russia’s facility for science, technology, mathematics and engineering is what will power his nation's tanks and missiles, enhance Russian national security, and create commercial activity.

Zooming right over Russia's border to Alaska's mainland, what about Putin's soon to be U.S. rival -- McCain or Obama? Where do they stand on STEM?

Barack Obama would double government financial support for basic research, reform the U.S. patent system, appoint the nation’s first chief technology officer and exploit science and mathematics initiatives for workforce development and innovation.

John McCain would combine capital investment, corporate tax incentives and less government regulation to jumpstart U.S. science and technology. Both would make the U.S. research and development tax credit permanent.

But matching Putin? Only the next four years will tell. --M.V. Greene

Black Engineer blog has a Brand New Podcast

2008-09-19T16:38:00.001-05:00

Black Engineer blog has a brand new podcast. To listen to USBE content on your iPod or MP3 player, go to http://podcasts.odiogo.com/us-black-engineer/podcasts-html.php and click Subscribe.

Talent Drained Out of Africa

2008-09-02T14:57:00.004-05:00

The Council on Foreign Relations reported recently on Africa’s vexing “Brain drain." That's when a nation's skilled workers—regardless of whether they get their university education at home or abroad—take flight for more money in the United States and other industrialized countries.

But as the article observes, skilled-worker exodus is neither new nor particular to Africa. The nations of India, China, Ireland, and Russia are also affected, although generally not as adversely.

In 2005, a World Bank study reported Britain had lost more skilled workers to the global "brain drain" than any major industrialized country. At 17 per cent of the total, about 1.4 million graduates have left the UK to look for more highly paid jobs in the US, Canada and Australia. This fuels concerns that Britain's failure to defend its manufacturing, science, and university base pushes highly skilled workers overseas and risks damaging long-term productivity.

Stakes Are Higher in Accra, Nairobi, and Luanda

The Brits can worry about losing some university graduates, but in sub-Saharan countries the loss slashes the tiny middle class. More than 40 percent of skilled African workers emigrate to wealthier countries. Of the 10 countries with the highest percentage of college-educated citizens living abroad, six are in Africa: Ghana (47 percent), Mozambique (45 percent), Kenya (38 percent), Uganda (36 percent), and Angola and Somalia (33 percent).

The study didn't show that the exodus is more prevalent in sectors such as engineering, IT, medicine, or academia compared to other university majors, but public health experts told the CFR that the loss of medical staff contributes to a decline in health indicators in African countries.

The numbers are stark. In 2007, the British government reports that more than 17,000 doctors and nurses from Africa were recruited. More dramatically, a 2008 study, New Data on African Health Professionals Abroad, says some 65,000 African-born physicians and 70,000 African-born nurses were working in developed countries by the year 2000. They represented about one in five African-born physicians and about one-tenth of African-born professional nurses.

Positive Aspects

Some experts say that as more foreign businesses look to Africa talented expats may boomerang back to their home countries to work for or start businesses. In an essay in the book, African Brain Circulation: Beyond the Drain-Gain Debate, Rubin Patterson proposes that Africans could lead an environmentally conscious industrial surge similar to the information economy wave pioneered by Asian nationals in Silicon Valley during the 1990s. That remains to be seen.

But one example of a credentialed expat moving back is Cheick Diarra. In 2003 the mechanical and aerospace engineer, who spent years working at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the US, returned to his native Mali.

The PhD, who was featured as an HBCU alumnus that-you-need-to-know, in the recent issue of US Black Engineer & Information Technology went back to his family farm and advocated using technology-centric solutions to address Africa's food security and nutrition problems.

News of his personal quest travels. In 2006, Bill Gates appointed Diarra chairman of Microsoft Africa and an unofficial ambassador of technology to the continent. That's a grand gesture, and will surely be helpful. But the Catch-22 that bedevils too many African countries is that they lack the political and economic stability, financial controls, agricultural base, and basic technical infrastructure to keep many of their best and brightest home or to draw them back from abroad.---MV Greene

Let’s Blame the Teachers. Not.

2008-08-19T17:58:00.005-05:00

As you gather supplies for the new school year, give some thought to recent, but normal news. The Program for International Student Assessments reports that the US lags far behind other developed nations in math and science education.

Big whoop, you say. Well its not just foreigners that decry our kids’ miseducation. Scores from the US National Assessment of Education Progress show that while the achievement gap is narrowing and elementary students are making some gains in math in lower grade levels, only about a third of our eighth-grade students are at or above proficiency in math. Less than a quarter of our high school seniors are at or above proficiency in math.

If an estimated 75 percent of middle-school students are taught math and science by teachers without degrees or certification in the subjects, why not blame teachers for American students falling behind their international peers? What you teach is what you get, right?

But many who care about advancing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education — rather than playing the blame game— prefer to improve teachers’ skill sets.

“Teachers cannot be expected to teach what they do not know themselves,” said Rep. George Miller, D-CA at a discussion of the findings of the National Math Panel’s report on how US children are learning and being taught math. The congressman, who is chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, also said:

“We are not giving our teachers the training and support needed to provide effective math instruction to students. We have to provide teachers with opportunities to learn math while they are still in school and to participate in professional development programs throughout their careers.”.

Ideas for improving pre-service teacher training, in-service professional development, training, and ongoing support for teachers are being advanced in federal circles. One of the reasons Congress enacted the America COMPETES Act in 2007. The Act authorizes programs like the Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate, which would expand low-income students' access to AP/IB coursework by training more high school teachers to lead AP/IB courses in math, science, and critical foreign languages in high-need schools.

Educating the Educators

Yet, it may take innovative programs like one at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD, to get the job done.

Goddard’s NASA Explorer School gives educators an opportunity to see the space agency’s work first-hand and take new skills and perspectives back to their classrooms. Nineteen teachers from around the country are the first group to be enrolled. Included in the program is a weeklong workshop program that informs educators about NASA programs. Educators get to interact with NASA scientists and engineers about work, including the Hubble Servicing Mission, Lunar Reconnaissance Mission and studies of lunar geology.

The goal of the hands-on program is to have participants return to their classrooms with additional science knowledge. And that’s a great idea. We just need a million more--MV Greene

Hooray for the Underwater Brother!!

2008-08-11T13:21:00.005-05:00

When it comes to mythbusting excellence, Cullen Jones, member of the 2008 US Olympic swim team, fits Black Engineer's bill.

Jones, first-ever African American to hold or share a world record in swimming, was the third leg for the US quartet that won the Beijing 4x100 Freestyle Relay in remarkable style.

So what do black swimmers and black engineers have in common? Well, we could discuss the thermodynamics of a body moving through a liquid. But let’s not. In a word: diversity.

Like Black Engineer magazine, who want to improve diversity in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers, Cullen Jones, wants to do the same for black kids in swimming . The top swimmer, who is breaking cycles and world records in the sport, is also making a splash about water safety with the USA Swim Foundation.

Talent, drive and opportunity are equal parts in the success of a record-breaking black swimmer and an innovative black engineer . Nuff said. --Frank McCoy.

Want a Job? Get a STEM Degree

2008-08-04T16:35:00.004-05:00

Yeah. As much as we hate saying that we told ya so; as did family, mentors, and probably, even your envious friends:

The latest Department of Labor unemployment report spotlights the rain on the economy as the nation’s overall jobless rate rose to 5.7 percent in July. Job losses are ripping across bulwark industries from construction to manufacturing, transportation, telecommunications, and of course, the big automakers.

But (what a wonderful word), there is a green——as cash money——lining if you are a June 2008 college graduate with, you guessed it: a degree in a science, technology, engineering, or math-related discipline.

NACE, or National Association of Colleges and Employers, reports that although new grads with soft majors are struggling, STEM grads have really strong prospects. In fact, career centers and recruiters told NACE that the industries that need, and want, STEM grads include accounting, information technology, health care, the sciences, biotechnology, and engineering.

Which is great news for geeks. Nuff said.--Frank McCoy

Math Girls Are the New Norm

2008-07-31T12:03:00.005-05:00

I love summer, but the prospect of fall excites me. Why? The National Women of Color Technology Conference arrives shortly. The 13th annual event, in my humble opinion, is the premier gathering for women of color that work, or aspire to work in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. WOC rocks. If you don’t believe me, just look at who featured at last year's event.

That’s why the news that girls can do math just as well as boys is such a turn-on. Math “geeks” (and I write the word geek with pride and affection) among our daughters, sisters, nieces, mothers, and aunts aren’t aberrations. Math girls are the new norm and a study of the test scores of seven million students in 10 states, published in Science magazine, proves it.

Click here to see a video of the Math Girl news.

OK. Full disclosure. I’m biased because there are female scientists in my family and I edit Women of Color magazine, the sister publication of US Black Engineer & Information Technology magazine.

Regardless. The prospect of thousands of women techs and scientists, all of whom are good in math, celebrating their achievements is a delight to anticipate. Nuff said.--Frank McCoy.

Raising STEM Achievement … It Takes a Village

2008-07-28T14:29:00.006-05:00

US Black Engineer--If it takes a village to raise a child, it’ll take collaborators to raise Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) achievement in the United States. That was the theme of a July 22nd congressional hearing that examined how business-education partnerships can help drive innovation and strengthen STEM education.

Another message was that US corporations, organizations and the federal government must become more engaged.

“It is clear that if we are going to have a constant flow of talent in science and engineering, we need to raise the standards and expectations for what knowledge and skills students need to acquire earlier in the K-12 pipeline,” offered IBM Education Solutions Executive Patricia Sullivan in her testimony.

Melendy Lovett, Texas Instruments president for Education Technology, gave a similar assessment. “We need to address student interest and skills in STEM at all stages of the pipeline, from K-12 through university and graduate-level. Strong math skills are a gating factor for majoring in science or engineering,” Lovett said.

Both Sullivan and Lovett outlined business partnership programs at their respective companies —such as IBM’s Transition to Teaching
program launched in 2006 to train K-12 educators as a way of nurturing the STEM pipeline and TI’s MATHCOUNTS competition that gives seventh and eighth grade “mathletes” the opportunity to race against the clock to solve challenging mathematics problems. Both companies also donate millions of dollars annually in direct contributions and personnel resources.

The hearing was the second look at the findings and recommendations of the National Math Panel. The report concluded that the nation’s system for teaching math “must be fixed” if the United States wants to keep its competitive edge.

One STEM advocate also added, “This truly is a “Paul Revere” moment for our country. – we must spread the alarm that our country is falling behind in math and science achievement and we must shore up our system.”

As an observer of the comparatively woeful numbers of black and Hispanic students taking up STEM fields, I agree wholeheartedly.--M.V. Greene

2008-07-23T20:09:00.001-05:00

Aetna Names a New Chief Technology Officer

2008-07-23T09:43:00.008-05:00

Aetna has announced the appointment of Michael G. Mathias, 49, as vice president and chief technology officer, reporting to Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer Meg McCarthy. Mathias has been head of enterprise architecture for Aetna Information Systems. Mathias joined Aetna in 1993 as a systems engineering manager. He became head of technology architecture and strategy in 2006 and head of enterprise architecture in 2007. In his new role, Mathias will be responsible for aligning Aetna's technology vision with business strategy by integrating company processes with the appropriate technologies, as well as for all aspects of developing and implementing technology initiatives within the organization.

Mathias became head of technology architecture and strategy in 2006 and head of enterprise architecture in 2007. In his new role, Mathias will be responsible for aligning Aetna's technology vision with business strategy by integrating company processes with the appropriate technologies, as well as for all aspects of developing and implementing technology initiatives within the organization.

"Michael brings strong technical expertise and leadership skills to this position," McCarthy said. "As the head of enterprise architecture for Aetna, he and his team have been on point for driving our technology vision and the resulting strategy. Michael is recognized in the IT industry for his knowledge of database, middleware and web technologies, including their strategic implementations." Before joining Aetna, Mathias served in various managerial, technical and application development capacities with UBS/PaineWebber Inc., Verizon, Educational Testing Service, Macmillan Publishing and Prudential Insurance.

Black Colleges and Universities

2008-06-19T23:52:00.003-05:00

Historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) are considered to be the top educational institutions of higher education, located in different states of the United States. Most of HBCU are established before 1964 with the noble intention of serving the African American community. Presently, there are 110 functional historically black colleges are in the United States. These educational institutions include public and private, two-year and four-year institutions, medical schools and community colleges. The prime reason for setting up these colleges and universities is to provide the solid fundamentals to Blacks who wish to gain good knowledge of diverse field.

Black colleges and universities assist the student toward the goal of graduation and employment. Universities strive hard to provide the support system for students so that they can get their goals through their sheer hard work and positive outlook. These educational institutions hire faculty, provide supplemental instructors-upperclassmen who conducts separate recitation sections for students in the classroom.
"The new Black entrepreneurs are educated, skilled and possess all entrepreneurial qualities and abilities required to create a landmark, not only for themselves, but also for the Black community as a whole".

Boeing’s Extended Support for Preserving the African-American History Museum

2008-06-05T23:22:00.004-05:00

5th June, 2008: The Boeing Company, the world’s leading aerospace company and the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft has donated $5 million to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), situated in Washington, D.C. The donation is given to support the endeavors of the design and construction of the museum.

Reportedly, Boeing is the biggest donor until now for the NMAAHC, since its inception in December 2003.

Tod Hullin, senior vice president, Boeing’s Public Policy department, has made the formal announcement of the donation.

He said,” Being a founding donor of the Museum, the company thrives to support the endeavors of African-American history museums and community leaders. He pledged the company’s strong support towards the development of the black community.”

"The new Black entrepreneurs are educated, skilled and possess all entrepreneurial qualities and abilities required to create a landmark, not only for themselves, but also for the Black community as a whole".

Grady Wells: The Man Who Believed in Power of Communications

2008-05-20T01:38:00.001-05:00

The business market has taken a global shape these days and everyone is contributing towards its growth and development including the blacks. Over so many years, blacks have been occupying a prominent share in the global economy and striving to increase it for fulfilling their dreams and aspirations.

Amongst other black contributors, the name of Grady Wells has been taken with pride and respect. Wells was a novelist, editor, and radio producer. He served as the editor of a variety of local and national print publications for many years. However, his contribution to “Wine Tour of the Finger Lakes” is quite worthy and well-known. Being acted as an inspiration in journalism, Wells researched a lot on wines and written extensively on the art of wine tasting. At the age of 60, Wells passed away on April 4, 2008. His endeavors will always be remembered with honor.

The new Black entrepreneurs are educated, skilled and possess all entrepreneurial qualities and abilities required to create a landmark, not only for themselves, but also for the Black community as a whole.

Robin Wilson: Success Never Ends

2008-04-25T00:56:00.001-05:00

Robin Wilson is one of the most successful women and black entrepreneurs in New York City. Wilson launched her firm, Robin Wilson Home, in 2000 with an aim to concentrate mainly on interior design, residential renovations and project management. She was born and brought up in Austin, Texas. She is a fourth generation member of a real estate family based in Texas.

Wilson handles interior projects ranging from 400-square-foot apartments to 8,000 square-foot homes. Besides this, she offers a separate division for commercial design mainly for corporate honchos. Her major works include the renovation of the Harlem office of the US President, Bill Clinton in 2004 and the Peninsula Spa Salon in 2007.

Because of her inconsistent innovation, great designing sense, and creative outlook, Wilson has earned many honors and recognition in interior designing industry. She has appeared in numerous publications such as the Wall Street Journal, CNN, CBS and others to speak her mind about her creative skill and success story.

Joseph Haskins Jr: Holding the Light for Blacks

2008-04-18T01:35:00.003-05:00

American black entrepreneurs have realized the power of their strength and capabilities and proved themselves with their endeavors in the development of the whole society. A number of black entrepreneurs have shown bright ways towards the growth and development in the American world, nevertheless, the contribution of Joseph Haskins Jr. has been truly remarkable amongst all. This native Baltimorean has the credit for initiating major developmental projects in the city.

Working since the tender age of 14, Haskins initially used to sell coke and hot dogs. Nurturing his dream of achieving big, Haskins studied Economics degree from Morgan State University, Master of Business Administration from New York University, and Master of Liberal Arts in economics from Johns Hopkins University. This man is better known as the president and CEO of Harbor Bankshares Corp., one of the state’s leading community-based financial institutions. At 59, Haskins outshines others and brought many productive changes in the financial institutions.

Black Women Entrepreneurs

2008-04-03T23:12:00.002-05:00

Over a few decades, black women have made their mark in international business after a thorough hard work, patience, sharp focus & goal, and commitment to achieve the world. The resulting picture of beliefs and opinions about inequality, and blacks progress appears to be more complex than a single label like conservatism can account for.

Women black entrepreneurs such as Oprah Winfray, Tracey Edmonds, Sylvia Rhone, Kedar Massenburg, and many others have established their names in different aspects of life and proved their true worth. As the saying goes, the sky is unlimited for those who limit themselves with no barriers. Women entrepreneurs truly lived to this saying by proving their sheer dedication and focused hard work.

Famous Black Entrepreneurs - Garrett Morgan

2008-03-28T01:32:00.001-05:00

“In the days of segregation, when blacks were limited to certain neighborhoods, you could look around the black community and identify who the leaders were.”

These are the words stated by Roger Wilkins. From last so many unknown years, black entrepreneurs have contributed a lot for over all growth of the human race. These people have shown their competence with their sharp vision, in-depth concentration and capability to think ahead of the time. The history states that blacks have been a key to the development of the society and the human values. Over the time, many remarkable leaders came and inspired people to face the challenges and take all possible help to sustain and extend the growth opportunities. Out of many others, the contribution of Garrett Morgan cannot be denied.

Morgan was a born innovator and manufacturer who invented not only an efficient gas mask but also the automatic traffic signal. During his long career in business, Morgan manufactured clothing, hair products and his gas mask. Later in the 1920s, he played a prominent role in the foundation of “the Cleveland Call,” one of the most successful black newspapers in the Midwest.

Black entrepreneurs

2008-02-19T00:41:00.000-06:00

Black entrepreneurs have created their own place with their focused vision, innovative styling, adaptation of rapid emerging technologies, eyes fixed on goal and winning attitude. This new emerging entrepreneur community has gradually shaking up the business scenario with their sheer intelligence and business handling skills. Above all, the widening wealth gap between the Blacks and the White Americans and glamour of the business world have clinched the interests of young black people to showcase their business understanding.

Black entrepreneurs, black engineering, black community

2008-02-14T00:46:00.001-06:00

As the old saying goes, nothing is impossible, if you have a strong will to accomplish the task. Black entrepreneurs have proved their worth by realizing their importance, credibility, and ability with their extraordinary endeavors. This emerging black community has showed its business competence with their determined focus, deep concentration, innovative techniques, embracing latest technologies, and attitude by their loud actions.

Shaking up the entire business scene in this cut throat competitive world, black entrepreneurs are emerging as the clear winners when it comes to their intelligence and business handling skills. They are no more a deprived community but equally sharing the platform with other well-established business leagues, walking hand-in-hand with unmatchable confidence and spirit to achieve the world.

Journey is long and the way is quite complex, the need is to hold on the spirit and the right attitude to achieve the Everest, Black community is catching up the nerves gradually.

USBE&IT magazine's 2008 Black Engineer of the Year Awards Edition

2008-02-07T22:40:00.000-06:00

USBE&IT magazine's eMag is the digital edition of US Black Engineer & Information Technology magazine. This year's BEYA Conference issue cover story, "Beyond StarTrek," spotlights the 2008 Black Enginner of the Year, Reginald Van Lee, and more than 30 Black Engineeer of the Year Awards category winners excelling in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math career fields. The 22nd BEYA STEM Global Competitiveness Conference will take place in Baltimore, Maryland, at the Baltimore Convention Center from 13-17 February 2008.

CCG names Ted Childs National Chairperson of its Technology Awareness Programs

2008-02-07T22:38:00.000-06:00

Career Communications Group has named J.T. Childs, Jr., principal of Ted Childs™ LLC, the national chairperson of its Technology Awareness Programs— Black Family Technology Awareness Week, La Familia Technology Week and the Native American Technology Journey.

Cintas names J. Phillip Holloman President & COO

2008-01-24T23:41:00.000-06:00

Cintas Corporation has announced the promotion of J. Phillip Holloman to president and chief operating officer. Holloman has served in various positions for the past decade. In the last year, Holloman implemented the company’s Six Sigma initiative, opening new distribution centers and developing the global supply chain group. Holloman, 52, holds a bachelor's degree in engineering from the University of Cincinnati. He serves on the Florida A&M School of Business and Industry Advisory Council and is a Board Member-Elect of the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati.

USBE&IT Winter

2008-01-24T23:39:00.000-06:00

Read the latest edition of USBE&IT magazine here. This winter issue features movers and shakers in US Homeland Security, Government and Defense. In the cover story "Something New in Africa" contributing editor, Roger Witherspoon, profiles General William E. "Kip" Ward, first commander of AFRICOM, a unified military command charged with the diplomatic mission of improving economic, social and military ties with 53 African countries.

World Adventure: Giving the gift of Flight

2008-01-03T22:29:00.001-06:00

To mark Barrington Irving’s historic flight, the House of Representatives passed a resolution on December 11, 2007, honoring Irving as the first black and youngest pilot to fly solo around the world, and encouraging underrepresented groups to pursue aviation careers. Experience Aviation Inc., a nonprofit organization founded by Irving in 2003, aims to inspire more than a million young people through aviation education programs by 2012.

To know more about the Black Entrepreneurs, visit http://www.blackengineer.com/.

Hampton's AIM Satellite Mission Changes View of Clouds

2008-01-03T22:23:00.001-06:00

The first historically black college and university to have complete responsibility of a NASA satellite discussed initial results from the AIM satellite mission at the American Geophysical Union meeting held in San Francisco, Dec. 10-14.

To know more about the Black Entrepreneurs, visit http://www.blackengineer.com/.