From the Friday Luncheon: Past, Present and Future

"Past, present and future" was the theme of Friday's luncheon, as members representing each step of the National Black MBA Association’s journey stood together on stage to open the luncheon.

Legacy Members – those people instrumental in the formation and early growth of the Association were recognized for their contributions, current chapter leaders and members were thanked for continuing to strengthen and expand the Association, and Leaders of Tomorrow® (LOT) students were challenged to continue finding ways to meet and enhance the Association’s goals in the future.

The 2015 LOT Chairman’s Circle of Excellence members were introduced by Jesse J. Tyson, chief executive officer and president of NBMBAA, and formally inducted as their chapter presidents presented them with the blue blazer that signifies professionalism. 

Jamira Burley, a 2007 alumna of the LOT program and a member of the Philadelphia chapter, recognized the commitment of time and energy by the LOT chaperones, mentors, committee members and all others associated with the program. 

Burley also reminded attendees to support the $1 million LOT scholarship fundraising campaign by donating.The fund will provide scholarships that will be "a positive force for the leaders of the future," she said.

Kim Wilson, vice president of strategic program initiatives for NBMBAA, presented the Helping Hands Award, which recognizes a member who exceeds expectations while serving the Association. This year the award was presented to the collective group of members who have served as LOT mentors for 10 years.

Wilson praised the mentors who were on call 24 hours a day to serve as coaches, travel chaperones, academic advisors and life counselors for the young people in the LOT program, saying, "These mentors are the foot soldiers on the front line of our Association’s future."

Tyson presented the H. Naylor Fitzhugh Award to Catherine W. LeBlanc for exceptional contributions toward self-improvement and a demonstrated involvement in various business, educational and professional organizations within the African American community. Calling her the unofficial historian of the NBMBAA, Tyson said that without LeBlanc, little of the Association’s history would be remembered and documented.

LeBlanc, who earned her MBA at Harvard University, is a North Carolina-based business and education consultant who works with businesses, universities and other organizations in the areas of leadership development, diversity and ethics. A lifetime member of the NBMBAA, she has consulted with that organization on the design and implementation of leadership and career development activities for its members, as well as for its annual national conference. She was instrumental in establishing the organization’s very successful Leadership Institute®.

The Chairman's Award was presented to Dr. William F. Pickard, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer Global Automotive Alliance.

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