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By Kellie Speed

For some people, pursuing an undergraduate degree in engineering is rewarding enough, but Randal Pinkett felt an urge to continue his education further. Much further -- to the tune of five degrees. After receiving a B.S. in electrical engineering from Rutgers University, he went on to receive his master's in computer science from the University of Oxford in England as one of just 60 Rhodes Scholars in U.S. history and the first from Rutgers. Later came a master's at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in electrical engineering followed by a Ph.D. in media arts and sciences from MIT just last year.

But along the way, Pinkett didn't confine his accomplishments to the ivory towers of academia. While studying for his master's, he worked at Lucent Technologies as a member of the technical staff of the global wireless products group. Here he performed product development process modeling and analysis of digital cellular handsets in a joint project between the MIT Leaders and Manufacturing and the MIT Center for Innovation in Product Development.

This would lead to yet another arena for Pinkett, one even further from academia and the one where he is making his ultimate mark: community service. His doctoral dissertation investigated ways to bridge the so-called digital divide in low-income communities and enhance information and community infrastructure. While earning his degrees in Boston, he conducted his investigation at Camfield Estates, a primarily African-American housing community in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Pinkett managed to offer every family at Camfield a new computer complete with high speed Internet access, training, and customized web design.

"With my engineering and computer science background, I worked at AT&T and Lucent Technologies while still remaining involved in the community by holding food drives and volunteering at church, but I never saw any connection between my skills and my concern for the community," Pinkett says in explaining how his unusual merger of interests came about. "I had a close friend who was finishing his master's degree, and I talked to some of my professors. We got the idea to set up some technology centers in this urban community of Roxbury, a low-income section of Boston."

While serving as a primary researcher and project co-manager, he raised some $350,000 in grants for the 102-unit housing development. "We wanted to make a difference, and when we saw the kids who were involved and how they responded to us, I thought 'This is great!'" he remarks. This spurred him to transfer his doctoral studies from electrical engineering to media technology. "We had the infrastructure to do high-speed Internet access at the development, so all the residents could communicate with each other to discuss jobs, day care opportunities, etc. It's wonderful to be able to help urban families."

Much of the groundwork for Pinkett's foray came when he served for seven years as the founder, president and chief executive officer of MBS Educational Services and Training, a new business venture that provided training and development for academic institutions, non-profit companies, and Fortune 500 organizations. He gained hands-on experience raising startup capital and developing a business plan. With a client base that included General Motors, Lucent Technologies, MIT, and Rutgers University, he worked closely with 15 associates to develop content for the program.

Then, Pinkett became president and CEO of Building Community Technology (BCT) Partners, an information technology services firm based in Plainfield, New Jersey that specializes in strategic technology consulting, web and database development, networking, and systems integration. Until now, many underprivileged families couldn't take advantage of technological advances. Pinkett's efforts in reforming low-income communities have transformed these neighborhoods into viable communities, providing hands-on training in information technology and even career preparation skills.

Pinkett has clearly made a difference in the lives of many urban families. His research has become nationally recognized in identifying the long-term benefits of technology for low-income residents. He has garnered a variety of awards including the MOBE Innovators and Influencers of the Internet award and New Jersey Martin Luther King, Jr. Triumph award. He has also been recognized by USA Today, Parade magazine, the National Society of Black Engineers, and the National Science Foundation.

Today, Pinkett puts his five degrees to good use working for BCT. With an office in Kansas City, Missouri in addition to Plainfield, some of his clients now include the United Way, National Urban League, and Children's Partnership. BCT designs and implements web-based technologies including community intranets and extranets to support projects nationwide in the areas of technology, community building, and business and economic development.

"We try to improve the lives of the urban community," Pinkett says of his mission. "A number of organizations are looking to get residents computers with modems in their homes. Everyone should have access to a computer, and we are committed to helping families obtain access. People who are economically disadvantaged will become even more so if denied access to computer-related technologies." What does he think of it all? "I enjoyed corporate America, but I enjoy my work here even more. It's more fulfilling."

Kellie Speed is a freelance writer in Weymouth, Massachusetts.

Progressive Engineer
Editor: Tom Gibson
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©2004 Progressive Engineer