Business Case Competition Draws Young Scholars from Across America

High School Students Compete for College Scholarship Money

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. (CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM) — The Coordinating Committee of the National Leaders of Tomorrow^® (NLOT) Case Competition announced today that high school teams representing more than 23 cities from across the country will compete in the 9^th annual Business Case Competition.

The competition will be held June 25-27, 2010 at Nova Southeastern University’s H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

The Leaders of Tomorrow^® is an initiative of the National Black MBA Association, a Chicago-based professional organization that is dedicated to the creation of educational opportunities and economic growth for African Americans.

The competition challenges at-risk high school students –many of them minorities– to analyze a graduate level business case and present recommendations to judges from corporate America’s executive suites and academia before an audience of several hundred people.

During the months leading up to the competition, students are coached aggressively in analysis, forecasting, decision-making, research, financial modeling and marketing by members of the National Black MBA Association, Inc. Winning teams receive thousands of dollars in scholarship money for college. Since its inception, the competition has awarded more than $65,000 to dozens of students.

“The only way to ensure that America remains competitive is to ensure that tomorrow’s workforce is competent, aggressive and diverse,” said William Wells Jr., chairman of the National Black MBA

Association, Inc., Board of Directors. “I can’t think of another program in the nation that pushes minority students to meet such a high level of expectation. For nine years participants in this competition have proven that no matter their socio-economic background, any student can achieve academic excellence if given the right encouragement, coaching and resources. I am extremely proud of our chapters for consistently providing the right mix of mentoring and tough love that has shown these aspiring young professionals that they can accomplish anything.”

The Business Case Competition is presented by Exxon Mobil Corporation and the National Black MBA Foundation, with major sponsorship provided by Nationwide Insurance, and Nova Southeastern University.  The program is produced and managed as a collective effort of National Black MBA Association, Inc., Chapters nationwide.

“ExxonMobil is proud to return as presenting sponsor of the 9th Annual NBMBAA Leaders of Tomorrow Business Case Competition and its efforts to honor and promote our next generation of leaders from the African American community,” said Robert Lanyon, manager, corporate citizenship and community investment, Exxon Mobil Corporation.  “We congratulate the students for their outstanding accomplishments. The analytical and problem-solving skills students acquire by participating in this competition are seeds that will grow into careers as the entrepreneurs, CEOs, engineers, scientists, and businesspeople that will determine our long-term economic progress.”

“Nationwide understands the importance of exposing our young leaders to opportunities such as the Business Case Competition and the rigor that is involved in preparing students for this experience,” said Kathryne Reeves, vice-president, Nationwide Insurance. We know that exposure matters and this is a tangible example of making a difference in the lives of young people that can play a pivotal role in their career decisions and lifelong success. “We applaud the National Black MBA Association for its commitment to fostering excellence, pride and accomplishment among minority youth.”

Competing teams of four (and one alternate) are given a business case used internationally in MBA programs, and  challenged to present related strategies and recommendations with the same proficiency as an MBA candidate would be required to demonstrate. Students use common business school tools such as SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) and Porter’s Five Forces analyses, as well as other instruments to determine opportunities for companies profiled in the case. They are then required to present a detailed strategy to capitalize on the opportunity that includes financial projections, implementation plans, timetables, exploration of risks and an industry impact.  Students are evaluated based on their understanding of the marketplace, feasibility and effectiveness of their recommendations, creativity, and the quality of their presentation.

“By investing in the excellence of youth, we are ensuring that participants in the LOT Business Case Competition start early in their educational development,” said William Qualls, chair, Board of Trustees, National Black MBA Association Foundation. “In addition to the knowledge they gain from the case study, students are developing a unique skill set of problem solving, persuasive arguments, and presentation skills.

Hosted By:

The South Florida Chapter of The National Black MBA Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 278872
Miramar, FL 33027

Phone: 786-255-5775
Email: LotCaseCompetition@me.com

About the National Case Competition

The Leaders of Tomorrow National Case Competition was started in 2000  by the Washington, DC, Atlanta, Dallas, and Houston chapters of the National Black MBA Association, Inc., as a way to prove that high school students who might be considered at-risk could perform at an advanced level if given the training and resources, and if the bar for excellence was set high. More information on the LOT National Business Case Competition, including profiles of former competitors, history, and video from last year’s competition, can be found online at www.lotcase.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Christopher Brown IV, 312-543-3946
christopher@owensmorris.com