Christmas Computers 4 Kids

It was a holiday to remember for St. Peter Claver Catholic School students thanks to CMG's "Christmas Computer 4 Kids" giveaway. On December 15, nearly 100 families were at the St. Pete Times Forum to pick up their free computer loaded with the latest Microsoft software. The Lightning Foundation continued its tradition of sponsoring the annual holiday giveaway.

Black Family Technology Week, February 10-16

Black Family Technology Awareness Week is an annual public awareness campaign dedicated to communicating the value of technology and its importance in the education and career preparation of children.

Computer Mentors Group has planned a series of workshops for the Tampa Bay community during this year's campaign week of Feb. 10-16 to illustrate why being "connected" is necessary for all citizens, but particularly for vulnerable groups.

For those families who are not taking full advantage of today’s technologies, it is CMG's hope the week’s events will demonstrate how technology can significantly improve their quality of lives. We are looking to bring together community and industry leaders, like Microsoft, to make this event a success.

Computer Mentors will host three events in different parts of the bay area to reach as many people as possible.

• An Open House at CMG’s newest location in Pinellas County. The CMG-St. Petersburg branch will open its doors to the public at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 11.
• A Technology Fair at the NFL Youth Education Town Center in East Tampa will begin at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 12.
• Bowers-Whitley High School in Central Tampa will be the site for a second technology fair at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21.

The St. Petersburg Open House will have several seminars including the Home Networking demonstration to show attendees how they can set up a wireless network in their home using a laptop computer, wireless Internet adaptor, and wireless router.

Another demonstration is PC Maintenance. It will cover the basics of keeping the home computer up and running. Volunteers and CMG staff will illustrate how to install new hardware and to protect computer systems from viruses and spyware.

Visitors at all three sites will engage in hands-on demonstrations and have an opportunity to hear from local IBM managers on the importance of studying math and science and gaining technology proficiency in order to succeed in college or the workplace. And there will be seven chances to win a computer loaded with Microsoft software.

BTFW is sponsored in part by Career Communications Group, Inc.

New CMG Board Members

Five dynamic individuals have joined the Computer Mentors Board of Directors this winter: Ira Lockhart, Dr. Jennifer Morley, Jean-David G. Oladele, Rose Short, and Charnell C. Williams.

Ira Lockhart

Ira Lockhart is the owner of Investigative Security Solutions, an agency providing investigative and security services throughout the State of Florida. A former Marine, Lockhart has worked in the field as a Military Policeman, Correctional Supervisor and a Private Investigator. He is currently licensed through the State of Florida as a Private Investigator, Security Officer, Security and Investigative Manager and a certified Process Server in the 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Hillsborough County.

Dr. Jennifer Morley

Dr. Jennifer Morley is employed by the Access and Academic Programs of Hillsborough County School District. A large portion of her work consists of administrating local Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) programs. These college-readiness programs serve potential first generation, under-represented students. In addition, she instructs classes as an adjunct professor in the College of Education at the University of South Florida.

Jean-David Oladele

Jean-David Oladele is a Software Systems Architect at Verizon Data Services Inc. He has over eight years of experience in the Information Technology field including work as an information technology consultant for two years. A native of Lyon, France, Oladele migrated to the United States in 1994. He received his bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in computer engineering in 2002.

Rose Short

Rose Short has many years of experience working in and consulting to the high-tech industry. Currently, she is an IBM Certified Senior I/T Architect providing digital workflow and digital infrastructure solutions to broadcasters transitioning from analog to digital broadcasting. Previously, as a member of the IBM Pervasive Computing Division, she worked with Service Providers in building the infrastructure necessary to provide solutions for mobile data services and mobile messaging services.

Charnell C. Williams

Charnell C. Williams is a Senior Vice President and Department Manager in Citi’s Americas Trade Operations. She is responsible for the Global Standby Advisory and Trade Initiation Units, which includes Letter of Credit products and services for US and Foreign Standbys, Latin America Initiation, and Accounting /Billing. She has been with Citi for 11 years and in the Global Trade Business for a total of 30 years.