2025 MSDL Program and Alumni Events Highlights
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2025 Highlights
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MSDL Alumni Virtual Chat with Roland Martin in April 2025.
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Coca-Cola and Skinner Leadership Institute co-hosted the June 26, 2025, MSDL Difference-Makers Awards and Graduation Dinner honoring MSDL Class XVII and Coca-Cola's MSDL Alumni.
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MSDL Alumni Committee hosted the MSDL Alumni Family Happy Hour during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 54th Annual Legislative Conference (CBCF ALC 54).
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MSDL Alumni gathered to attend the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 54th Annual Legislative Conference Day of Healing Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC.
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MSDL Alumni and Fundraising Committees hosted the MSDL Men's Fireside Chat on November 3, 2025, themed Resilient Black Men: Finding Inner Strength to Meet the Moment, with Congressman Glenn Ivey, Mr. Joshua DuBois, and MSDL Alums, Mr. Calvin Souder and Mr. Barion Grant, in Washington, DC.
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MSDL Alumni and Fundraising Committees hosted the November 17, 2025, MSDL Women's Fireside Chat, entitled She Leads: Power, Promise, and Faith in Community with Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Dr. Williams-Skinner, and MSDL Alums, The Honorable Adrianne Todman, Ms. Chanelle Hardy, and Ms. Kaala Evans, in Washington, DC.
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MSDL Faculty Team quarterly virtual meetings with MSDL Alumni Class Representatives to encourage greater year-round connection in each MSDL class.
2024 MSDL Sponsors
About Masters Series for Distinguished Leaders
MASTERS SERIES FOR DISTINGUISHED LEADERS (MSDL) is a unique program of Skinner Leadership Institute (SLI). It is a one-of-a-kind culturally sensitive, global leadership excellence experience, producing high character, difference makers, social innovators, quality decision makers and community builders.
MSDL is built on a philosophy of PROMISE DRIVEN LEADERSHIP. MSDL Fellows move from PURPOSE, or the work a leader is called to do, to PROMISE, or the difference a leader is called to make to improve the human condition. Promise Driven Leaders are always “other-centered,” making others around them better. They model seven (7) character traits. They are Committed to something bigger than themselves; Considerate of others; Connected to others; Compassionate toward others; Confident in their cause; Conscientious with excellence as their brand, and Complementary in always showing kindness toward others.
Growing threats to our democracy and precious freedoms, such as the freedom to vote and escalating division, make it even more critical to produce promise-driven, difference-making bridge-builders and global thinkers, now and in the future.
MSDL has graduated over 220 gifted and talented executives from 20 states: AZ, CA, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TX, TN, and VA and such countries as France, Haiti, Ghana, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Our MSDL graduates represent significant organizations such as The Coca-Cola Company, Verizon, Shell Oil Company, Toyota Motor North America, Toyota Financial Services, AirBnB, AARP, Google, Enterprise Holdings, Sephora, and Comcast NBCUniversal, as well as federal, state, and local agencies such as The White House, U.S. Department of the Interior, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Internal Revenue Service, NASA, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, D.C. Office of Gun Violence Prevention, Southern Poverty Law Center, Howard University Hospital, and a host of leading nonprofit organizations and small businesses.
EQUIPPING
in high character, difference-making leadership traits with the goal of internal fortification for the pressures and temptations of high performance leadership that distinguishes Promise Driven Leaders
History of MSDL
African American Leadership Family; founded 1985 by Tom
and Barbara Williams-Skinner (2nd & 3rd row, far right).
MASTERS SERIES FOR DISTINGUISHED LEADERS (MSDL) was founded in 2008 by the African American Leadership Family, a cadre of accomplished veteran leaders, committed to nurturing and developing a new generation of difference making executive leaders. MSDL is a culturally sensitive, global leadership excellence and community service program for people of color in middle management, ages 30-45. It assists high performing business, government, and nonprofit leaders to impact their organizations, communities, and the underserved. MSDL has graduated nearly 200 gifted and talented executives since 2008.
Uniqueness of MSDL
MSDL focuses on the internal qualities and skills of high performing leaders such as strength of character, integrity, resiliency, team building, win-win relationships, emotional intelligence, and the proper uses of power.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
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Outstanding Faculty.
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Exposure to high level leaders & decision makers.
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Renowned veteran leaders as Master Coaches.
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Mastery of effective communications.
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Life-work balance; executive wellness lectures.
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Public Policy making skills development.
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Active MSDL Alumni network.
The Masters Series for Distinguished Leader’s success is first rooted in a bipartisan, intergenerational Faculty of expert leadership developers, with access to top leaders across the globe, and a proven track record of equipping young leaders for exceptional performance.
in high character, difference-making leadership traits.
EquippING
in public policy and public advocacy.
TRAINING
to high level leaders and decision makers; and teamed with Master Coaches.
EXPOSURE
to an active MSDL Alumni network of young leaders.
ConnectION
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