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MISSION | MINISTRIES | HISTORY | BOARD OF TRUSTEES | TOM SKINNER | BARBARA WILLIAMS-SKINNER

OUR HISTORY

Skinner Leadership Institute (formerly Tom Skinner Associates) was founded 1964 in New York City by the renowned author and international advisor, the late Rev. Tom Skinner, to equip and produce technically and morally excellent leaders. In 1992, founders Tom and Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner relocated Skinner Leadership Institute (SLI) to its new headquarters in the Southern Maryland/ Washington , DC area. In 1994, after the passing of her husband Tom Skinner, Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner became president of our organization. 

CONTACT US
Skinner Leadership Institute
P.O. Box 190
Tracy's Landing, MD
20779
301.261.9800 office
301.261.5193 fax

bws@skinnerleadership.org

Copyright 2005. Skinner Leadership Institute

Against the continuing oppression of African Americans, trapped in run down urban ghettoes, while white evangelical Christians and black clergy alike preached Christian tradition, God raised up Tom Skinner. This preacher’s kid by day and leader of the largest Harlem gang by night was trapped in the bondage of religious tradition and hatred of whites. Tom Skinner’s freedom to love others came with the knowledge that God so loved Tom that he sent Jesus Christ to die in his place. So great a love freed Tom to die to himself so God might use him to share Christ’s love.

On October 29,1961, Tom Skinner met in an emergency planning session with a group of concerned Christians determined to confront Harlem with the gospel. In 1962, with New York City under a suit demanding desegregation of its public schools and 11 persons arrested in New Jersey after a sit-in, the Tom Skinner Crusade in the Apollo Theatre was launched. Thousands came to hear, and more than 2,000 received Christ during that astounding campaign. Utilizing mass crusades and radio messages thousands of people were impacted by the gospel through the ministry of Tom Skinner Crusades. In 1970, the name was changed to Tom Skinner Associates, Inc. as the ministry expanded into printed literature, music, consultant services for churches, missions, jail and street centers, college chaplaincies, and training church leaders.

In 1981, Tom married Barbara Williams, an attorney and Congressional Black Caucus staffer. A leader and dynamic speaker in her own right, many credit Barbara with broadening Tom’s behind-the-scenes discipleship ministry, especially to politicians, but also to entertainers, and professional athletes. Throughout the 80’s and 90’s the ministry broadened their outreach. Tom served as the Washington Redskins Chaplain for many years, as well as team motivator to the New York Jets, Mets, and Yankees. Unsatisfied with the injustice of the educational system, the Tom Skinner Learning Center, a high technology learning center which served over 300 inner city youth and adults in Newark, New Jersey, was  established.

In 1992, Tom and Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner relocated TSA to its new headquarters in the Southern Maryland/ Washington , DC area and established the Skinner Farm Leadership Institute. TSA and SFLI later merged to form the Skinner Leadership Institute. From the creation of Tom Skinner Crusades in 1964, to the time God called him home in 1994, Tom Skinner passionately preached uncompromising and powerfully, the saving grace and power of Jesus Christ. More than almost any other preacher in his generation, Tom preached the gospel of the kingdom of God.

Throughout the life of the ministry; millions have heard the gospel through radio; evangelistic campaigns have been conducted in major cities; collegians have been witnessed to; thousands of inmates in jails and other institutions have heard the gospel; and more than 5 million books and pieces of literature have been distributed, including Black and Free (1968), Words of Revolution (1970), How Black Is the Gospel (1970), If Christ Is The Answer What Are The Questions (1974). The ministry has seen professional athletes, entertainers, and business and political leaders commit their lives to Christ. Thousands of current and emerging leaders have been trained in technical and morally excellent leadership.

Although we may never know exactly how many thousands of lives have been impacted as a result of the ministry, over the years many have written or otherwise told us they have. God’s investment in both Tom and Barbara has truly born much fruit as people who were taught and inspired by them are now teaching others. Those who have experienced the transforming power of love, through over thirty years of the ministry of Skinner Leadership Institute, have become agents of God’s love in communities throughout this nation.

Today, Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner continues to advance Skinner Leadership Institute as president through her dedicated leadership and with her rich experience and expertise within the congressional, religious, business, and nonprofit arenas.