The MASTERS SERIES FOR DISTINGUISHED LEADERS (MSDL) 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 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 more than 200 gifted and talented executives since 2008.

​

UNIQUENESS | MSDL focuses on the internal qualities and skills of high performing leaders such as strength of character, integrity, resiliency, team building, leadership confidence, win-win relationships, emotional intelligence, and the proper uses of power.

​

UNIQUE PROGRAM BENEFITS

• Stellar intergenerational faculty.

• Exposure to high-level decision makers.

• Connection to top quality  Master Coaches. 

• Mastery of effective communications. 

• Simulating real life leadership challenges

• Life-work balance; executive wellness

• Community Service projects in teams

• Focus on confidence building 

• Focus on emotional intelligence

• Active MSDL Alumni Network.

​

STELLAR  FACULTY | MSDL’s success is 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 younger leaders for exceptional performance.

​

PHILOSOPHY | 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. MSDL’s goal is to equip high-performing executives with the character and mindset of Promise Driven Leadership.

​

HOW IT WORKS | MSDL operates two days a month; January to June, in Washington, DC.

• Day One:  Interactive, leadership skills-building seminar simulating real-life scenarios.

• Day Two: Continue interactive leadership skills-building; MSDL Community Service Projects: MSDL Fellows working in teams will apply promise-driven, difference-making leadership skills to critical community projects; Master Coach/Fellows Connection.

• FINAL PRESENTATIONS: Fellows make a final presentation of their Community Service Project recommendations before an expert panel as a graduation requirement.

​

MASTERS SERIES CURRICULUM TOPICS

• JANUARY - Session I: Leadership’s Intangible Qualities: Moving from Purpose to Promise Driven Leadership

• FEBRUARY - Session II: Foundations of Effective Leadership: Character Strength, Integrity, and Resiliency

• MARCH - Session III: Successful Leaders: Building Empowering, Win-Win Relationships

• APRIL - Session IV: Effective Leaders: Mastering Inclusion in a Diverse World

• MAY -Session V: Empowered Leaders: Understanding The Proper Uses of Power

• JUNE - Session VI: Community Service Project Final Presentations and Graduation Ceremony