LOT
TRADITIONS
Copyright 2010, National Black MBA Association, Washington, DC Chapter
Major Sponsors:
THE WASHINGTON, DC LOT SEAL
The Washington, DC LOT seal is made up of a
central image designed by Indiana artist Darryl
Champion, and represents young American men
and women with their heads raised in a show of
pride and confidence in themselves, their race and
their abilities. When the LOT program was
revamped in Washington, there was no national
logo, so the chapter created its own. Since that
time, the national program has created and uses
another logo, which the chapter uses in concert
with the seal at times. The outer edges of the DC
chapter seal feature the core components of LOT
programming: academic focus, college and career
preparation, professional development, and
community service.
The Washington, DC LOT seal is made up of a
central image designed by Indiana artist Darryl
Champion, and represents young American men
and women with their heads raised in a show of
pride and confidence in themselves, their race and
their abilities. When the LOT program was
revamped in Washington, there was no national
logo, so the chapter created its own. Since that
time, the national program has created and uses
another logo, which the chapter uses in concert
with the seal at times. The outer edges of the DC
chapter seal feature the core components of LOT
programming: academic focus, college and career
preparation, professional development, and
community service.
THE LOT GREETING
Roger Ailes, author of the book You Are the Message, observes that people have about
seven seconds to make the right first impression. In LOT, we believe the time frame may be
even shorter than that. The LOT Greeting is designed to ensure that students can
professional communicate who they are and what they represent in a concise fashion and in a
way that makes a positive first impression. Students are required to first construct a greeting,
then memorize, and then repeat it incessantly until it become a natural way for them to project
confidence and professionalism at first meeting.
The LOT Greeting is as follows (tailored by each student to relate to his or her own life
circumstances and goals):
General Students
Hello (or some other salutation). I am Leader of Tomorrow (name of student), a (year
in school) at (name of school) in (city, state where the school is located). My plans
are to become a (career occupation goal) after studying at (name of college student
wants to attend).
Example:
Hello. I am Leader of Tomorrow Michael Hester, a junior at Oxon Hill Senior High
School in Oxon Hill, Maryland. My plans are to become an optical engineer after
studying a Norfolk State University.
Officers
Hello (or some other salutation). I am Leaders of Tomorrow (officer title) (name of
student), a (year in school) at (name of school) in (city, state where the school is
located). My plans are to become a (career occupation goal) after studying at (name
of college student wants to attend).
Example:
Good morning. I am Leaders of Tomorrow President and CEO Chymaria Ball, a senior at
H.D. Woodson Senior High School in Washington, DC. My plans are to become a lawyer
after attending Temple University.
LOT CREED AND OATH OF OFFICE CEREMONY
In the summer of 2003, under the leadership of Chair Thornton-Young and President/CEO
Nicole Dickelson, the LOT officers developed the LOT Creed. The officers now take an oath
based on that creed as the official act of their installation into office.
I __(name of officer)_ pledge to make my duties as an officer of the Leaders of
Tomorrow program my greatest priority. If one suffers, we all suffer. A goal without a
plan is just a wish. We are one team and have one goal: To be leaders of today,
tomorrow, and forever. I pledge to be a leader who represents the sum total of the
qualities of intellect, human understanding, and moral character that enable a
person to inspire a group of people successfully.
Following the Oath of Office, the outgoing LOT President and CEO gets up from his/her seat
at the head of the table, and the new President/CEO takes his or her place. This signifies the
official beginning of the new administration.
THE AFFIRMATION
In 2005, Chair Angela Thornton-Young introduced the practice of reciting the Kujichagulia
affirmation, named after an African word for self-determination. It is also the second of the
seven principles of Kwaanza. Led by the President/CEO or presiding officer, students repeat
this affirmation before every meeting to set the tone for the meeting and their lives.
KUJICHAGULIA
On this day, we pledge to define ourselves, to NAME ourselves, to create for ourselves,
and to speak for ourselves, instead of being defined, named by, created for and spoken for
by others. On this day we design for ourselves a positive future and then vow to make
that prophecy -- that DREAM -- a self-fulfilling one. Affirmation: I will have the time, the ability,
energy and determination to do all that is set before me.
THE PASSING OF THE BLAZERS
At the last meeting of every year, graduating seniors relinquish their LOT blazers by giving
them (physically and symbolically) to the junior class (beginning with a hand-off from senior
officers to incoming junior officers in order of rank, respectively). Graduating seniors give
words of advice to the juniors as they hand off their jackets.
ANNUAL AWARDS
At the discretion of the Chair, the following awards may be given out at the end of the
academic year.
Mentor’s Award- The highest award that can be awarded to a student. This is given to a
student the mentors feel has most embodies the qualities of LOT in terms of academic
performance, civic engagement, leadership, and service to others.
Chair's Award is given to the student, selected by the Chair or a committee of his or her
designation, who the chair feels has grown the most throughout their matriculation in the
program.
Senior of the Year Award is given to a graduating senior, selected by the other students,
who has done the most to help the other students in the program to advance as Leaders.
The Spirit of A Leader Award is given to the student that, through their actions, encouraging
words, testimonials, participation, and recognition gained for the program, most elevates the
culture of the program and helps that class of students make a lasting mark on the program.
Selected by the mentors.
Mentor of the Year. This is the mentor the students feel has most selflessly gone above and
beyond the call of duty in the most obvious ways to help the students grow and develop as
young adults and professionals. The chair is not eligible to receive this award.
CASE PRAYER
Whenever case competition activities occur during a general meeting, the lights are
turned down, students lower their heads, and repeat the following “prayer” in recognition
of the hard work it takes to compete and as a way to remember the hard work and
sacrifice of past captains:
“We give thanks for the leadership of Case captains Claude Gibbs, Nicole Dickelson,
Chymaria Ball, Aaliyah Muhammed, Jazmin Tanner, and Delicia Boyd. Please help
us prepare our minds for the analytical exploration we are about to engage in.”
More traditions>>
Roger Ailes, author of the book You Are the Message, observes that people have about
seven seconds to make the right first impression. In LOT, we believe the time frame may be
even shorter than that. The LOT Greeting is designed to ensure that students can
professional communicate who they are and what they represent in a concise fashion and in a
way that makes a positive first impression. Students are required to first construct a greeting,
then memorize, and then repeat it incessantly until it become a natural way for them to project
confidence and professionalism at first meeting.
The LOT Greeting is as follows (tailored by each student to relate to his or her own life
circumstances and goals):
General Students
Hello (or some other salutation). I am Leader of Tomorrow (name of student), a (year
in school) at (name of school) in (city, state where the school is located). My plans
are to become a (career occupation goal) after studying at (name of college student
wants to attend).
Example:
Hello. I am Leader of Tomorrow Michael Hester, a junior at Oxon Hill Senior High
School in Oxon Hill, Maryland. My plans are to become an optical engineer after
studying a Norfolk State University.
Officers
Hello (or some other salutation). I am Leaders of Tomorrow (officer title) (name of
student), a (year in school) at (name of school) in (city, state where the school is
located). My plans are to become a (career occupation goal) after studying at (name
of college student wants to attend).
Example:
Good morning. I am Leaders of Tomorrow President and CEO Chymaria Ball, a senior at
H.D. Woodson Senior High School in Washington, DC. My plans are to become a lawyer
after attending Temple University.
LOT CREED AND OATH OF OFFICE CEREMONY
In the summer of 2003, under the leadership of Chair Thornton-Young and President/CEO
Nicole Dickelson, the LOT officers developed the LOT Creed. The officers now take an oath
based on that creed as the official act of their installation into office.
I __(name of officer)_ pledge to make my duties as an officer of the Leaders of
Tomorrow program my greatest priority. If one suffers, we all suffer. A goal without a
plan is just a wish. We are one team and have one goal: To be leaders of today,
tomorrow, and forever. I pledge to be a leader who represents the sum total of the
qualities of intellect, human understanding, and moral character that enable a
person to inspire a group of people successfully.
Following the Oath of Office, the outgoing LOT President and CEO gets up from his/her seat
at the head of the table, and the new President/CEO takes his or her place. This signifies the
official beginning of the new administration.
THE AFFIRMATION
In 2005, Chair Angela Thornton-Young introduced the practice of reciting the Kujichagulia
affirmation, named after an African word for self-determination. It is also the second of the
seven principles of Kwaanza. Led by the President/CEO or presiding officer, students repeat
this affirmation before every meeting to set the tone for the meeting and their lives.
KUJICHAGULIA
On this day, we pledge to define ourselves, to NAME ourselves, to create for ourselves,
and to speak for ourselves, instead of being defined, named by, created for and spoken for
by others. On this day we design for ourselves a positive future and then vow to make
that prophecy -- that DREAM -- a self-fulfilling one. Affirmation: I will have the time, the ability,
energy and determination to do all that is set before me.
THE PASSING OF THE BLAZERS
At the last meeting of every year, graduating seniors relinquish their LOT blazers by giving
them (physically and symbolically) to the junior class (beginning with a hand-off from senior
officers to incoming junior officers in order of rank, respectively). Graduating seniors give
words of advice to the juniors as they hand off their jackets.
ANNUAL AWARDS
At the discretion of the Chair, the following awards may be given out at the end of the
academic year.
Mentor’s Award- The highest award that can be awarded to a student. This is given to a
student the mentors feel has most embodies the qualities of LOT in terms of academic
performance, civic engagement, leadership, and service to others.
Chair's Award is given to the student, selected by the Chair or a committee of his or her
designation, who the chair feels has grown the most throughout their matriculation in the
program.
Senior of the Year Award is given to a graduating senior, selected by the other students,
who has done the most to help the other students in the program to advance as Leaders.
The Spirit of A Leader Award is given to the student that, through their actions, encouraging
words, testimonials, participation, and recognition gained for the program, most elevates the
culture of the program and helps that class of students make a lasting mark on the program.
Selected by the mentors.
Mentor of the Year. This is the mentor the students feel has most selflessly gone above and
beyond the call of duty in the most obvious ways to help the students grow and develop as
young adults and professionals. The chair is not eligible to receive this award.
CASE PRAYER
Whenever case competition activities occur during a general meeting, the lights are
turned down, students lower their heads, and repeat the following “prayer” in recognition
of the hard work it takes to compete and as a way to remember the hard work and
sacrifice of past captains:
“We give thanks for the leadership of Case captains Claude Gibbs, Nicole Dickelson,
Chymaria Ball, Aaliyah Muhammed, Jazmin Tanner, and Delicia Boyd. Please help
us prepare our minds for the analytical exploration we are about to engage in.”
More traditions>>
