http://www.blackengineer.com Black Engineer Technology Engineering Entrepreneurs-USBE magazine provides news about black technology, black entrepreneurs, BEYA conference, black engineers and technologists from black community in US, UK, Caribbean and Africa. People and Events Black Engineer Articles en-us Thu, 08 Oct 2007 11:00:00 +0530 http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_801.shtml 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. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_797.shtml 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. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_793.shtml On January 1, 2008, Wanda Austin will succeed William F. Ballhaus, Jr., as president and CEO of Aerospace Corporation. The 19-member board of trustees, including Guion S. Bluford Jr., the first black astrounaut, and 1991 Black Engineer of the Year, selected Austin after a nationwide search. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_792.shtml Roy Perry, one of 100 innovative men and women named to USBE and IT magazine’s 2005 Most Important Blacks in Technology list, delivered the annual commencement address to Prairie View A and M University's fall class on Dec. 8. This year's graduates join more than 50,000 alumni who have graduated from the school during its 131-year history. Engineering pioneer, philanthropist and Prairie View alumnus Roy Perry (Class of 1978) known for his generosity to Prairie View and other organizations, holds an industry record for the notable 62-day startup of Dell's Nashville production facility. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_782.shtml Career Communications Group publisher and CEO Tyrone Taborn has been nominated to receive the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland (LBCM) Salute to Black Leadership award at the LBCM Annual Business Breakfast. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_790.shtml Eugene Haynes and Joseph L. Lewis, III, creators of popular cartoon character, Teddy P. Brains, have been invited to participate in Chicago Museum of Science and Industry's 2008 Black Creativity program. The exhibit is called "The Magic of Television and Film" and it will showcase achievements of African Americans in the film and television industries. en-us Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley bestowed a Governor's Citation upon Coaching Group Chairman Joshua I. Smith during a ceremony held in Adelphi, MD at the University of Maryland which recognized Smith as a Maryland Business Legend. The Citation recognized Smith's outstanding recognition and long-term business success..in appreciation of his contribution to Maryland's vibrant economy; for his entrepreneurial spirit, inspiring leadership, courage and pursuit of excellence for himself, his family and his community. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_781.shtml Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) conference enters its 22nd year with an eye on a global future. In February 2008, the conference which has stood as one of the best models of where corporate America creates strategic alliance with minority-owned businesses to increase productivity from underrepresented groups, will headline as the National BEYA Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Global Competitiveness Conference. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_779.shtml Prairie View A and M University has announced the appointment of Kendall T. Harris as dean of the College of Engineering. Harris, 39, is the sixth dean--succeeding Milton Bryant, who announced his retirement earlier this year--of the college which has an established reputation for producing black engineers. Harris began tenure at PVAMU as associate dean and professor of mechanical engineering in 2005. Dr. Harris’ external research efforts have garnered more than $3.2 million in research and program funding. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_776.shtml The awarding of the 2007 Nobel Peace Price to both former Vice President Al Gore and the IPCC has cast a spotlight on the behind-the-scenes work of Dean Williams, one of the world's most influential black research scientists. It would have been impossible for the IPCC to have come to its unanimous conclusions on trends in the earth’s climate and the impact of human development were it not for the contribution of Williams, whose work over the past fifteen years has provided the computational underpinnings of global climate science. en-us US Africa Command, or AFRICOM became the Pentagon’s newest regionally-focused headquarters. General William E. "Kip" Ward will coordinate US military relations with fifty-three African countries. US Africa Command, or AFRICOM, officially stood up when the organization started functioning as the newest regionally-focused headquarters. General William E. "Kip" Ward was confirmed by Senate recently as AFRICOM's first commander. en-us U.S. Africa Command, or AFRICOM, officially stood up today when the organization reached its "initial operating capability" (IOC) to start functioning as the Pentagon’s newest regionally-focused headquarters. General William E. "Kip" Ward was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on September 28 as AFRICOM's first commander. en-us History changed on October 4, 1957, when the Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik I. The world's first artificial satellite was about the size of a beach ball (58 centimeters or 22.8 inches), weighed only 83.6 kilograms or 183.9 pounds, and took about ninety-eight minutes to orbit the Earth on its elliptical path. That launch ushered in new political, military, technological, and scientific developments. While the Sputnik launch was a single event, it marked the start of the space age and the United States-Soviet Union space race. en-us Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen took the helm today as the 17th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, vowing to work to give servicemembers “clear direction, outstanding equipment and focused policies” to accomplish current missions and prepare for future ones. en-us On October 1, 1996, Lt. General Joe Ballard became the first black to head the US Army Corps of Engineers. He was responsible for 40,000 soldiers and civilians in the Corps. Two years later, Gen. Ballard was named Black Engineer of the Year. He said three reasons influenced his career selection: he wanted to be a problem solver and engineering is a profession of problem solvers; good mentors that helped him along the way; and the Corps was a great place to build an engineering career. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_747.shtml Women of Color magazine and IBM Corporation announce the honorees of the 12th National Women of Color Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Conference, which will be held Thursday, November 1 through Saturday, November 3, 2007 at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_766.shtml Anne Sempowski Ward, a former assistant vice president of African American Marketing for the Coca-Cola Company, has been appointed president and chief operating officer of Fashion Fair Cosmetics—the world’s largest cosmetic and skin care company for women of color. The Detroit native received her bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering and materials science from Duke University. She also earned a Global MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. en-us Baltimore's Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel is the location for the annual magazine event, Minorities in Research Science Conference, hosted by Career Communications Group's Science Spectrum magazine. The two-day summit for professionals and students in scientific and technical fields is packed with seminars, award ceremonies, numerous networking opportunities and a Diversity Career Fair Expo with record numbers of employer attendees. For information visit www.ccgmag.com/emerald/ or call 410 244 7101. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_761.shtml Hurricane Dean, the first of the Atlantic season, battered the southern coast of Jamaica with heavy rains and sustained winds as it passed offshore late Sunday. On August 20, 2007, Career Communications Group Publisher and CEO Tyrone Taborn gave an eyewitness account on National Public Radio. Read excerpts from his interview with News and Notes’ Farai Chideya. en-us Urban Ed Express, the loan company launched last year by BET founder Robert L. Johnson, promises to not only help students prevented from pursuing a college education because of financial barriers, but to encourage financial literacy in the black community as a whole, Johnson told an audience at the 2007 National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators conference. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_757.shtml James Edward West, famous for his co invention of microphones used in 90 percent of all of the world's telephones, received a 2006 National Medal of Technology Laureate award at a White House ceremony held Friday, July 27, 2007. Dr. West was recognized for co-inventing the electret microphone while working with Gerhard Sessler at Bell Labs in 1962. Ninety percent of the two billion microphones produced annually and used in everyday items such as telephones, hearing aids, camcorders, and multimedia computers employ electret technology. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_753.shtml Career Communications Group CEO and Publisher Tyrone Taborn paid a courtesy visit on Vice Admiral Melvin G. Williams, Jr., U.S. Fleet Forces Deputy Commander, while he was aboard the USS Enterprise. The USS Enterprise is the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the the longest naval vessel in the world. en-us As much a public leader as a businessman, Tyrone Taborn fused his interests in technology with his desire to aid his community 25 years ago when he founded Career Communications Group, of which he is president and chief executive officer. Read his interview with Andrew Parchman of the Examiner, Philadephia, Pennsylvania. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_751.shtml Career Communications Group Publisher and CEO Tyrone Taborn has been selected to be part of HistoryMakers. When completed this landmark oral video collection of first-person narratives will spotlight accomplishments of 5,000 African Americans in many disciplines and showcase key players in black-led national organizations. HistoryMakers will be the single largest archival project of its kind. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_755.shtml Roland Thornton, executive vice president of wholesale markets for Qwest Communications, a leading provider of voice, video and data services across America and the world, is responsible for all sales, service, carrier relations and operations for Qwest’s wholesale business. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_747.shtml Women of Color magazine and IBM Corporation are pleased to announce the honorees of the 12th Annual National Women of Color Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Conference. en-us In 1872, Elijah McCoy patents first self-lubricating locomotive engine. The quality of his inventions helped coin the phrase “the real McCoy.” en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_743.shtml The idea of a female engineer was so unusual in Nathelyne Archie’s neighborhood in Conroe, Texas some people thought she was going to college to learn how to drive a freight train. But she made history when she graduated as the first black female in the state of Texas with a degree in architectural engineering, first black female to earn an engineering degree from any university in Texas and the first to become licensed as a professional engineer. en-us The Aerospace Corporation announced today that Dr. Wanda M. Austin will succeed Dr. William F. Ballhaus Jr. as president and chief executive officer upon his retirement on January 1, 2008. Austin currently serves as senior vice president of Aerospace Corporation's National Systems Group, responsible for systems engineering and integration support for National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) space programs. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/mullen.shtml A deep blue water senior officer, who has served in Allied, joint command and Navy positions, overseas and in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets, and who also holds two master's degrees, is likely to become the nation's top military advisor. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_730.shtml In 1971, Parren James Mitchell, a civil rights warrior, ex-chair of a key House committee, and a fierce advocate of minority business, took his belief that minorities matter to the House, where he served until 1987. During his tenure, he co-founded the Congressional Black Caucus and served on the Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs Committee. Under him, the latter body was as a bulwark protecting the interests of minority-owned businesses. en-us Rod Adkins has been named Senior Vice President, Development and Manufacturing for IBM Systems and Technology Group. In his new position, Adkins will be responsible for the company's global systems and technology development, as well as IBM's Semiconductor Research and Development Center and semiconductor manufacturing operations. Company sources have described the recent promotion as " the logical next step in the continuing integration of IBM's systems and technology development and operations." Rod Adkins was the recipient of the 2007 Black Engineer of the Year Award. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_714.shtml Career Communications Group announced today that Woodrow Whitlow, Jr., Ph.D., center director of NASA's John H. Glenn Research Center, has been named the 2007 Scientist of the Year, an annual award sponsored by Career Communications Group’s Minorities in Research Conference. The Scientist of the Year award represents a recognition of merit, broad effect on people in many disciplines, and value to society as a whole. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_711.shtml Career Communications Group (CCG), publisher of USBE Online and other diversity and technology Web sites, today announced the appointment of award-winning journalist Frank McCoy as Editor-In-Chief. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_708.shtml Consumers are using more electricity in more ways than ever before to power complex, sensitive computerized equipment in the workplace and at home. However, many of the grids supporting America’s high-tech culture are still low-tech, employing technologies developed decades ago. Edison International Chairman John E. Bryson today predicted smart grid technologies pioneered by Southern California Edison could one day help prevent cascading power blackouts. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_705.shtml The National Science Foundation has chosen Shirley Ann Jackson, Ph.D., president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, to receive the 2007 Vannevar Bush Award. A leader in higher education and and in government, Dr. Jackson was selected to receive the annual award from the National Science Board for her lifetime of contributions in science, education and public policy. In addition to her Bush award Dr. Jackson, the first Black female Ph. D. out of M.I.T. and first African American to chair the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. en-us The National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering, Inc. (NACME), the nation’s largest private source of scholarships for Black, Native American and Hispanic women and men in engineering and technology, has announced the appointment of Dr. Irving Pressley McPhail as Executive Vice President and COO.. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_696.shtml Ryan Clark, a Virginia Tech student set to pursue a Ph.D. in psychology with a focus in cognitive neuroscience, was one of more than 30 people confirmed dead after yesterday’s tragic shootings at Virginia Tech. According to reports, Clark, a resident advisor in the West Ambler Johnston dormitory on campus, was the male victim who died in the dorm. A five-year veteran of the Marching Virginians and a member of Circle K, the student service organization, Clark had been scheduled to graduate next month with degrees in English and biology. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_695.shtml Carolyn W. Meyers was installed as Norfolk State University's fourth president at an investiture ceremony held April 12. Meyers, a native of Newport News, Va., succeeds Marie V. McDemmond, who served as NSU's president for eight years. Meyers began her tenure as president of Norfolk State University July 1, 2006. Prior to her appointment by the Board of Visitors, she was the provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at North Carolina A&T State University. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_694.shtml Dell announced today that Thurmond B. Woodard, Chief Ethics, Privacy & Compliance Officer and Vice President, Global Diversity died on Wednesday, April 4, after a valiant fight against cancer. Mr. Woodward was 58. en-us The Mentoring and Enrichment Seminar in Engineering Training (MESET) program is a two-week residential engineering-introduction program for students. It will take place from June 3-15, 2007. All application packets need to be completed by April 15, 2007. The program is limited to 50 students. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_693.shtml Georgetown College President William H. Crouch, Jr. announced two $50,000 scholarships at the 2007 Granville Academy Youth Conference, held March 22-25 in Trenton, New Jersey. William H. Crouch, Jr. began his era of leadership-by-example the day he became president of Georgetown College in 1991. en-us Recently, AMD, Wyse Technology, and non-profit organizations Inveneo Inc., and ActionAid united to bring solar-powered thin client computing capability, Internet access, and VoIP telephony into places with little or no access to electricity or affordable communications. en-us On Friday, Barrington Irving, a 23-year old senior majoring in aerospace at Florida Memorial University, climbed into a single-engine aircraft he calls "Inspiration," and embarked on a round the world flight that will make him the first person of African descent to fly solo around the globe. The flight path of his "World Flight Adventure" is expected to take five to six weeks, and would carry Irving to 23 locales, including the Azores, Spain, Greece, Egypt, Dubai, Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan & Japan. Follow along as Barrington's GPS position is updated via satellite. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_688.shtml Metro Trenton/Princeton, N.J.-- In his keynote address at the 24th annual conference of The Granville Academy, Vernon Jordan, icon of the civil rights movement and influential political insider, began by saying, "Bill Granville didn't invite me here today. He told me to be here." en-us The Mentoring and Enrichment Seminar in Engineering Training (MESET) program is a two-week residential engineering-introduction program for students. It will take place from June 3-15, 2007. All application packets need to be completed by April 15, 2007. The program is limited to 50 students. en-us March 14-17, 2007 -- Join NAFEO, the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, for its 32nd National Conference on Blacks in Higher Education at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in the District of Columbia. NAFEO represents 400,000 students and their families and African Americans across the higher education spectrum. en-us Dr. DeWayne Brown, associate professor in the Department of Electronic Computer, and Information Technology, at North Carolina A&T State University (NCA&T) received a grant from the Department of the Navy, to develop a new procedure (algorithm) that will improve the accuracy of submarines that launch missiles using data from Fiber Optic Gyroscope Navigators. en-us Howard University's CEO H. Patrick Swygert announced March 8 that "The Campaign for Howard" with the goal of raising $250 million in five years, has been met 10 months ahead of schedule. In 2002, Howard University launched the Campaign to add to its resources and its ability to make leadership for America and the global community a reality for students and faculty. Thousands of alumni, friends and supporters, helped the historically Black university meet its goal 10 months ahead of schedule. Howard marked its 140th Charter Day Convocation March 9, 2007. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_683.shtml New Jersey Institute of Technology opened Women?s History Month hosting a regional female engineering conference. Keynoting the event, NJIT Provost Dr. Priscilla Nelson drove home "Diversity in Engineering," this year's theme for Society of Women Engineers, an organization that stimulates women to achieve full potential in careers as engineers. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_681.shtml Microsoft Corporation CEO Steve Ballmer announced $1.7 million in donations of cash, software, and specialized curriculum to several nonprofit partners in Louisiana and Texas to help boost the region?s post-Katrina revitalization. In recent months, Microsoft joined a number of major American corporations in an unprecedented effort to channel long-term, private sector funding to the Gulf Coast as part of the $1 Billion Gulf Coast Rebuilding Challenge. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_680.shtml BALTIMORE, February 19 -- The Black Engineer of the Year Awards ended with the second Annual Stars and Stripes Breakfast in honor of Black military leaders. Keynoting the final event of the 21st National Awards Conference, the Black Engineer of the Year, IBM Vice President of Development, Rod Adkins, stressed that collaboration was a key out-come of the 2007 Conference, and promotion of student achievement in mathematics and science at BEYA was in the national interest. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_678.shtml BALTIMORE, February 15 -- The Black CEO Summit marked another success at the Black Engineer of the Year, setting the stage for Minority, Woman and Veteran-owned businesses, as well as Small, Disadvantaged, 8(a) and HUBzone certified companies to discuss supplier diversity and inclusion with large, blue-chip companies. The one-day Summit attracted leading Fortune 500 corporations,industry executives, and press. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_673.shtml BET Networks Chairman and CEO Debra Lee has named Scott Mills as President of the company's newly formed Digital Media Group. With the formation of the Digital Media Group, the company will enhance its digital brands - BET.com, BET on Blast, and BET on Demand, BET Mobile and BET's digital video download offering -optimizing the co- ordination of company assets in the digital space. en-us http://www.blackengineer.com/artman/publish/article_672.shtml On February 1st, a young black pilot and a trailblazing IBM engineer will join students and parents from Gorenflo and Nichols Elementary Schools, located in Biloxi, MS, to launch this year?s Black Family Technology Awareness Week, February 11-17, 2007, and a $2 million grant that will provide an interactive software reading tool, known as Reading Companion, to 200 schools and organizations around the world. en-us