DFW Chapter Wins 1st Place

by Jacquinette D. Murphy, Presence Communications

The Dallas-Fort Worth Leaders Of Tomorrow (LOT) team beat out 22 other teams and won first place during the National Black MBA Association's 9th Exxon Mobil Annual Business Case Competition in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The national competition was hosted by the South Florida Chapter of the National Black MBA Association and sponsored by Nationwide Insurance and NOVA Southeastern University.

The winning high school student team consisted of Kristen Brown, Bryan Davis, Evan Roney, Tyler Roussell and James Sharpe of Dallas. The team was awarded $15,000 dollars of which each contestant won $3,000 and a laptop.

The competition team became informed business consultants to the world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart, to present details of a case study titled "Wal-mart vs. Tesco." The case focused on Tesco's possible threat of entry into the U.S. retail market. The high school students were expected to research and analyze the business case, to develop and present valid recommendations, forecasts, and implementation plans before judges from high-level business and academic environments.

The overall objective of the annual competition is to compel high school students across the country to excel at the highest levels in the areas of analysis, public speaking, strategic planning, financial analysis, marketing and management. Students receive coaching from local members of NBMBAA to help prepare for the competition.

The Dallas LOT students were strongly supported by the student affairs committee chairperson, Dana Davis, Mr. Wayne Green, the LOT parents and many others who helped to provide food, practice locations and support for their quest for excellence. Special thanks to Steve Denson, Director of Diversity at SMU, for providing meeting space for LOT throughout the year.

The LOT program empowers young leaders for success through a variety of activities. Students are exposed to successful individuals that share their experiences and teach values neccessary for professional achievement.

For more information about the 2010-2011 LOT program for rising 9th -12th graders, please contact us at students@dfwmbas.org.