NYBLACKMBA Leaders of Tomorrow High School Mentoring Program:

Celebrating 2026 &

Looking Ahead to 2027

The NYBLACKMBA Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) Program continues to invest in the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs, and college-bound students through education, mentorship, leadership development, and real-world experiences.

Celebrating the 2026 LOT Program

Throughout 2026, LOT delivered 25 high-impact, interactive sessions designed to prepare students for success in college, their careers, business, and life. The curriculum included leadership development, college and career readiness, financial literacy, business fundamentals, entrepreneurship, business plan development, public speaking, personal branding, and professional development.

Students also participated in Black History Month research presentations, the Stock Market Game, essay writing activities, business plan development, and national-level business competitions, providing opportunities to apply what they learned beyond the classroom.

A special highlight of the year was the outstanding achievement of Madison Smith, who was named the winner of the National Black MBA Association’s Leaders of Tomorrow 2026 LOT Senior Video Essay Scholarship Award, sponsored by FedEx. This national recognition reflects Madison’s hard work, leadership, creativity, and commitment to excellence while representing the Metro New York LOT Program on a national stage. Students also received tangible rewards for their dedication, participation, and performance, including college scholarships, and Amazon gift cards.

The 2026 LOT graduating class included a record 43 high school seniors, representing an important milestone in the continued growth and impact of the program. Our graduating seniors are continuing their educational journeys at an impressive group of colleges and universities across the country, including:

Baruch College • City Tech (New York City College of Technology) • Colgate University • Coppin State University • Cornell University • George Washington University • Georgia State University • Hofstra University • Howard University • Hunter College • John Jay College of Criminal Justice • Lafayette College • Lehigh University • Mercy University • New York University • North Carolina Central University • Northwestern University • Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) • Stony Brook University • SUNY New Paltz • SUNY Old Westbury • SUNY Oswego • Syracuse University • University at Albany (SUNY) • University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

These college destinations reflect the academic achievement, preparation, ambition, and hard work of our students and represent one of the strongest graduating classes in LOT history.

This summer, families, mentors, supporters, and members of the NYBLACKMBA community gathered for the annual LOT Graduation & Awards Ceremony, celebrating another year of student achievement, leadership, and growth.

The ceremony featured welcome remarks from NYBLACKMBA LOT Program Director, Christie Damis and a keynote address from NYBLACKMBA Chapter President, Vina Morris.

Several awards were presented to recognize student achievement and leadership, including the Essay Writing Competition, Stock Market Game Awards, Business Plan Competition, Most Improved Student Award, and the prestigious Mr. William Mills Scholarship. Certificates of Completion were presented by the LOT mentor team, bringing another successful program year to a close and recognizing the dedication of our students.

Recognizing Our Mentors

We are incredibly grateful to the mentors who invested their time, expertise, guidance, and encouragement in our students throughout the year:

Anthony Sanford • Anika Wright • Ayeisha Morrison • Candice Harrison • Dominique Coleman • Edgar Tsikudo • Haisha Famuyide • Jaden Cappe • Joshua Damis • Lauren Youngblood • Maki Surles • Marcos Lindley • Nikolas Wong • Sara Richburg • Sydney Holt • Tahira Wright • William Mills

Special thanks to Fordham University’s Gabelli Black and Latinx Graduate Association, our valued academic partner and gracious venue host, for its continued support of our students and the LOT mission.

Leadership Behind the Reigning LOT Chapter of the Year

The success of the NYBLACKMBA Leaders of Tomorrow Program, the reigning National Black MBA Association LOT Chapter of the Year, is led by Christie Damis, MBA, Director of LOT; Diona Phoenix, MBA, Associate Director of LOT; and Halimah Famuyide, Esq., Associate Director of Operations. Together, their leadership, commitment, and vision continue to strengthen the program, expand opportunities for students, and prepare the next generation for success in college, careers, business, and leadership.

Expanding Students’ Horizons: HBCU Tour

Beyond the regular program curriculum, LOT provides students with opportunities to experience higher education firsthand. Each October, in partnership with the ETL Education Foundation, students participate in a special HBCU Tour, providing them with the opportunity to visit up to 13 academic institutions across the country. Through this experience, students explore college campuses, learn about academic programs and admissions opportunities, experience HBCU culture and traditions, and connect with the legacy of excellence represented by Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Most importantly, the experience helps students envision the possibilities for their futures and better understand the educational pathways available to them.

Looking Ahead: LOT 2027

Building on the momentum of a record-setting 2026 class, the next chapter of Leaders of Tomorrow begins Friday, January 8, 2027, with the launch of the 2027 NYBLACKMBA Leaders of Tomorrow Program.

Registration for the 2027 LOT Program opens October 1, 2026.

Running January through June 2027, LOT will continue delivering consistent, high-impact engagement through approximately 25 interactive sessions, supported by an expanded curriculum and deeper academic, corporate, and community partnerships.

The 2027 curriculum will provide students with development and hands-on learning opportunities across:

Leadership and Personal Development
College and Career Readiness
Financial Literacy and Wealth-Building Fundamentals
Entrepreneurship and Business Plan Development
Public Speaking and Communication
Personal Branding and Professional Presence
Technology and Emerging Career Opportunities
Mentorship and Professional Networking
Competitions, Scholarships, and Experiential Learning

As we look toward 2027, NYBLACKMBA is committed to expanding the reach and impact of LOT while creating even more opportunities for students to learn, lead, compete, connect, and prepare for their futures. Our goal remains to provide young people with the knowledge, relationships, mentorship, experiences, and resources they need to successfully transition from high school to college and ultimately into leadership, entrepreneurship, and professional careers.

We look forward to welcoming our next class of students, mentors, partners, and supporters on January 9, 2027, as we continue the important work of preparing and developing the next generation of leaders.