Leadership & Business Guide for Juniors, Seniors, and Parents

Leadership & Business Guide for Juniors, Seniors, and Parents

Dear Parents,

As your student navigates their junior and senior years of high school, preparing for the next step can feel overwhelming. Finding the right programs to build leadership skills, secure mentorship, and unlock corporate pipelines is essential to their future success. This guide is curated specifically for upperclassmen families, filtering the top national business and professional development organizations tailored for Latino and African American students. Use this information to help your student connect with local chapters, meet upcoming deadlines, and take charge of their future.

1. National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) - Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT)

  • High School Juniors (11th Grade) & Seniors (12th Grade): Fully Eligible.

  • About the Program: A year-round framework focused on business, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and leadership development. Students compete in corporate case competitions and receive direct mentorship from corporate professionals.

  • Application Window: Varies by chapter. Registration for winter cohorts typically opens October 1.

  • Deadlines: Winter programming launches in January.

  • California Chapter Contact: NBMBAA Los Angeles Chapter (7381 La Tijera Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90045)

  • Phone: (888) 290-0490 | Email: president@labmba.org

  • Website: NBMBAA Leaders of Tomorrow Website

2. NABA Inc. - Accounting Career Awareness Program (ACAP)

  • High School Juniors (11th Grade): Fully Eligible.

  • High School Seniors (12th Grade): Fully Eligible (Heavily recruited for university pipeline tracks).

  • About the Program: Introduces underrepresented upperclassmen to careers in finance, accounting, and business operations through interactive summer residencies on major college campuses.

  • Application Window: Opens annually on January 20.

  • Deadlines: Applications close on April 17 for summer university sessions.

  • California Chapter Contact: NABA Los Angeles Chapter / UC Berkeley Hubs

  • Email: la.acap@nabainc.org

  • Website: NABA ACAP Website

3. National Hispanic Institute (NHI) Summer Programs

  • High School Juniors (11th Grade): Fully Eligible. The "Collegiate World Series" (CWS) program is specifically built for students during the summer between their junior and senior years.

  • High School Seniors (12th Grade): Ongoing participation only. New summer entry is not open to students who have already started their senior year.

  • About the Program: Focuses on organizational leadership, communication skills, and data-driven community governance to prepare Latino students for top-tier college entry.

  • Application Window: Open now (Late summer through autumn).

  • Deadlines: Regular Admission closes on November 17, 2026 for the 2027 Summer Leadership cohorts.

  • California Chapter Contact: NHI West Coast Initiatives (Coordinates the California Sol cohorts)

  • Email: westcoast@nhimail.com

  • Website: National Hispanic Institute Website