The National Black MBA Association DFW chapter kicked off its annual Leaders of Tomorrow event that provides educational opportunities and economic growth for young black Americans.
Helping to create leaders of tomorrow by shaping today’s youth, the NBMBAA is a premier business organization that serves black professionals and provides mentorship for young girls and boys.
Their mission and vision are to empower and lead in the creation of educational, wealth-building, and growth opportunities throughout their careers as students, entrepreneurs, and professionals.
The NBMBAA created the Leader of Tomorrow (LOT) program in 1991 and has mentored more than 8,000 youth aspiring to leadership roles in professional fields.
The DFW LOT program brings a programmatic approach to developing leadership skills to high school students in the DFW area.
The program focuses on developing skills in four developmental areas, including leadership, financial literacy, college preparation, and career preparation.
“This can set kids up to be, you know, much further ahead in life if they go on to college, if they go on to careers, they already have a leg up on some of their competition,” said Demetrius Washington, president of the NBMBAA DFW chapter speaking with The Dallas Express.
The event was held at Southern Methodist University (SMU), which has been a supporter of the NBMAA since the program’s inception.
“So, SMU has been one of our largest supporters of this program since we’ve had it here in the DFW Metroplex,” said Washington.
“They hosted in 2016. They hosted the national leadership summit in case competitions, and all of the other chapters I’ve mentioned across the country came here,” Washington added.
Saturday was the first day of the program, and it is where many of the young students learn about the journey ahead and get to know each other.
The program provides extensive mentorship and helps the students transition into better positions to attend college and receive internship opportunities.
“I would like to teach them how to navigate the transition from high school to college so that it can be easy because I didn’t have that, so if I can help them get prepared for the SAT, ACT, college applications, financial aid, and stuff like that, that would be great,” said Leanna Gray, mentor for the NBMAA LOT program speaking to The Dallas Express.
The students attending the Saturday kick-off of the program range from ages 15 to 17.
Students were asked what they wanted to pursue by going to college — one student said they wanted to become a video game programmer, and another said a corporate lawyer.
With the help of the NBMAA and supporters such as SMU, many students are being ushered into a better position to succeed in life.
