Douglass Leadership Institute

Empowering Faith, Family, and Freedom for All

The Douglass Leadership Institute (DLI) equips faith-based leaders to uplift Black and minority communities through Christian conservative principles. Rooted in the legacy of Frederick Douglass, we promote strong families, economic opportunity, educational choice, and just reforms—building a vibrant, principled movement for progress and flourishing.

Purpose

The Douglass Leadership Institute (DLI) exists to educate, equip, and empower faith-based leaders with biblical principles, fostering progress and upward mobility in Black and minority communities.

Goal

DLI aims to build a multi-generational network of Christian conservative leaders who strengthen families, advance economic freedom, and shape a virtuous society rooted in justice and respect.

Approach

Through community forums, clergy training, policy advocacy, and culturally relevant resources, DLI engages persuadable minorities with a positive vision, modeling the peaceful, principled legacy of Frederick Douglass.

North Star Network

Join the Douglass Leadership Institute's Leadership Networking platform

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Jeremiah 1:5 Project

I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5 NLT)

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Key Initiatives

A Message from the President

Dear Friend,

Welcome to our website! The Douglass Leadership Institute staff and leadership team join me with honor, distinction, and excitement to greet you as you explore our online home. Our core values—Righteousness, Justice, Liberty, and Virtue—are interwoven throughout the content you’ll find here, brought to life by a collection of powerful speakers, pastors, and ministry leaders who provide resources, knowledge, and expertise to help preserve our faith, fortify our families, and uphold our freedom—all under the canopy of a biblical worldview.

As we crafted this website, I couldn’t help but reflect on the prestigious legacy of Bishop Dean Nelson, who laid a solid foundation for our organization to thrive—and continue its work to empower, equip, and uplift faith leaders to embrace biblical principles in the marketplace and beyond. We are committed to building upon his phenomenal work!

In addition to providing valuable resources and insights, we hope this website fosters a sense of community, connection, and shared values. We pray that an aroma of prayer, praise, and worship will be cultivated as you engage with our content, inspiring you to impact your communities for the kingdom of God. “Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, that He may come and rain righteousness upon you.” Hosea 10:12

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out through our contact page, and one of our DLI staff members will graciously assist you. We are excited to have you here and look forward to equipping you with insights you can share with your families, friends, and faith leaders.

Living for Him,

Bishop Garland Hunt

President, Douglass Leadership Institute

Our Namesake - Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass—the escaped slave turned abolitionist and statesman—is one of the greatest examples of the African-American heritage of hard work, determination, family loyalty and intellectual curiosity. The Douglass Leadership Institute (DLI) was founded in 2015 to restore and preserve this legacy in the black community and beyond.

Countering the prevailing message that black Americans cannot succeed without government intervention in and control of their lives, DLI presents an alternative vision for black progress. DLI believes that through strengthening the black family, providing economic and educational opportunities for all, and continuing to work for criminal justice reform, the black community and America as a whole can thrive.

Over a hundred DLI training and community engagement events have been held across the country, reaching and equipping thousands of community leaders of faith. These events have uniquely excited people of color to engage with our ideas and bring lasting change to their neighborhoods and communities.

Welcome to the

Equipping America's Faith Leaders with a Biblical Worldview