Patricia Bransford is the Founder and President of The National Urban Technology Center and an expert in using technology to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of delivering education and vocational services to low-income communities.
Education: BS in Mathematics, Catholic University, 1961 MBA, NYU Stern School of Business
Background: She is the author of the Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) educational curricula that transforms the conventional classroom into an interactive learning environment for youth 10 to 17. In conjunction with creating the YLA curriculum Ms. Bransford developed a "turn-key" process for building state-of-the-art computer training centers in multiple countries across the country. This process, called SeedTech, has been adopted by the Department of Justice, Weed and Seed, for transferring technology skills to inner-city communities. The National Urban Technology center has built more than 700 computer centers across the country.
Prior to establishing The National Urban Technology Center, Ms. Bransford worked at IBM for more than 20 years in a career in technology. During her years at IBM she directed IBM's $100 million business with New York City including strategic planning, marketing and implementation of large-scale information systems projects in the areas of social services, criminal justice housing and finance.
In 2003, Ms. Bransford received the Dr. Gardner C. Taylor Humanitarian Award for "outstanding vision and commitment to opening up the world of computer technology and telecommunications to our children and families, increasing educational, employment and economic opportunities and fostering empowerment in our urban communities."
She was awarded the Beacon Award by the Morehouse and Spelman New York Alumni Scholarship Fund in honor of her distinguished accomplishments and work in disadvantaged communities and received the Granville T. Woods award given by the National Association of Black Telecommunications Professionals to "the outstanding CEO of a corporation with the greatest impact in the community. "
Ms. Bransford received the 2007 Freedom Hero Award for innovation, involvement and intervention that provides options and opportunities for education for disadvantaged at-risk youth and for working as a catalyst for change and encouraging others to learn, grow and contribute; and in 2008, she was recognized by The Network Journal as one of the 2008 "25 Influential Black Women in Business" for achieving significant levels of success in business and for myriad contributions to the community.
She received the Catholic University of America's Alumni Achievement Award given each year to alumni for outstanding accomplishments in their professional fields.
