Black Family Technology Awareness Association

Description

In 2004, Community NETwork African American Telecommunications Professionals of SBC, W.E.B. Dubois Learning Center, and the Black Data Processing Associates started working on the Black Family Technology Awareness Campaign, one goal was to start a local recognition of Black Family Technology Awareness Week. Members from these groups formed the Black Family Technology Awareness Association (BFTAA).

The BFTAA incorporated in 2005 and has hosted 5 Black Family Technology Awareness Week events. We have established a successful Youth Technology Fair Program that has awarded over $25,000.00 in computer and technology prizes to more than 50 students in the greater Kansas City Area.

The BFTAA has partnered with groups and institutions to eliminate the digital divide including UMKC School of Computing & Engineering, The Learning Exchange, Penn Valley Community College, National Society of Black Engineers, and many corporate sponsors. We will continue to work on digital inclusion for all. In 2010 BFTAA through our association with Career Communications Group we were introduced to the VEX Robotics program. The BFTAA began work to start VEX robotics teams in Kansas City. In 2011 the BFTAA held Kansas City's first VEX Robotics competition.