The Black Family Technology Awareness Association (BFTAA) honored E. Jason Sims, Manager of Kansas
City Scout with its Present Day Technology Leader Award on Friday February 19, 2010. The award recognizes
bright, young, up and coming men and women who are shaping the future of engineering,
science and technology by making their mark now.
The mission of BFTAA is to close the Digital Divide by helping to bridge the gap between black
families and technology. Their vision is black families empowered through technology and the purpose
of the Black Family Technology Awareness Campaign is to empower and fully equip the black community of
families with the resources needed to become actively involved with the technology revolution.
BFTAA intends to assist the process by working with faith-based organizations, corporations with a
strong presence in the community, small businesses, resource centers, such as schools and libraries,
and city and state government agencies. By bringing together all these entities to focus on finding
solutions, we hope to create models of success that will close the digital divide that threatens to perpetuate
educational, financial, and social inequality in America.
Each year the organization hosts Black Family Technology Awareness Week, which includes workshops and
events to increase community awareness of how to use the personal computer and internet technology for
health information, business support, educational purposes, and for entertainment. Additionally a Youth
Technology Fair and Exhibition is a part of the celebration and a competition is held to
encourage students to combine their imagination with the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)
curriculum and the tools of technology (robotics, science, internet and personal computers) to create a vision
of future technology. The technology Awareness Week culminates with the Kansas City African American
Pioneers and Present Day Technology Leaders Award.

E. Jason Sims receiving the Present Day Leader Award

Phillip Vann - BFTAA Member; Jason Sims Manager KC Scout & BFTAA Present Day Leader Awardee ;
Patricia (Pat) Jones - Local BFTAA Founder; Bryan Busby - KMBC TV 9 Meteorologist & BFTAA Present Day Leader Awardee;
Lewis George Walker - BFTAA President.