In September 1991, the Leaders of Tomorrow Program (LOT) was launched at the NBMBAA’s 13th Annual Conference in New York. The program’s overall mission is to expand the cadre of future minority leaders by increasing the pool of minorities eligible for graduate study. The program’s focus is to provide mentors and resources to high school students who have demonstrated leadership potential but are performing marginally. Specifically, the targeted students are minority high school youth with a grade point average between C and C+, yet they have 4.0 or higher potential. This program helps feed the pipeline of minorities going to graduate school by reaching out to them in high school and preparing them for the option of continuing their education.
The delivery of the program occurs at two levels: nationally and within individual chapters. Overall, the National Black MBA Association provides program participants with:
• Exposure to an environment where thousands of minority business professionals come together to develop themselves through networking and socializing;
• A core curriculum of workshops focused on issues they face in preparing for their future;
• On-site mentoring at the conference;
• Scholarships to graduating seniors selected through an essay contest; and
• On-going mentoring through the local chapters.
Since 1991, an average of 100+ students per year have been exposed to over 11,000 business professionals while scholarship dollars have increased to provide for educational advancement. Over 1,200 students have been impacted at the annual conference and 2,500 via chapter programming. All of the implemented motivational activities have been the catalyst for an expanding pool of future minority leaders. The initial participants are now returning as alumni to encourage and assist current participants.