About the Douglass Leadership Institute
The life of a nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous.
The Douglass Leadership Institute (DLI) is a national education 501 (c)3 nonprofit that does Christian work based on the life and legacy of Frederick Douglass. DLI supports the strength of the Black family, sensible criminal justice reform, and economic and educational opportunity for all.
DLI provides uniquely tailored programs and resources to a network of like-minded pastors and faith leaders across the country so that men and women of faith can be equipped to lead positive change in their communities, as well as on the state and national level.
Executive Leadership
Bishop Garland Hunt
President
Rev. Kevrick McKain
Executive Vice President
Senior Leadership
Apostle Arnold Culbreath
Director of Ministry Engagement
Shenika Terrell
Executive Assistant to the President
Torrey Snow
Director of Communications
Board of Directors
- Adam Harrell, Esq. – Richmond, Virginia
- Julia Nelson – Montgomery Village, Maryland
- Barry Caison – Fort Washington, Maryland
- Albert Strong – Fairfax Station, Virginia
- Darrell DJ Jordan – Woodbridge, Virginia
- Tiffany Byrd – Silver Spring, Maryland
The Founder of DLI
Bishop Dean Nelson
SUNRISE, JUNE 21, 1968 – SUNSET, DECEMBER 16, 2023
The Late Rev. Nelson founded the Douglass Leadership Institute in 2015 to equip faith leaders, especially in the African American community, to apply Biblical values and principles to public life and the marketplace. DLI equips men and women of faith for civic engagement and leadership to bring about positive community change through forums, pastor roundtables, policy briefings, and many other outreach events. Rev. Nelson grew DLI into a nationwide network that affirmed and embraced a more complete understanding of the Black American Christian perspective and experience
