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.