Randy H. Skinner

Skinner was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1957 and was raised in a traditional Southern Baptist family. As a pre-teen, Skinner was greatly impacted by the civil rights movement and assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., which took place in his hometown. Spending weekends and summers in his ancestral state of Mississippi also left a deep impression for justice and reconciliation upon Skinner.

Skinner’s family moved from Memphis to Spring, Texas, in 1970. He attended and graduated from Spring High School in 1975. As a young man, he was active in student government, local political campaigns and chosen by the local state representative to represent his high school in Austin, Texas, for a statewide student government venue. It was during this period that Skinner also studied the work of Dr. E.V. Hill of Los Angeles and his impact on crime in the infamous Watts area.[1]

Skinner attended Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, where he received a B.A. in Bible and political science (1975–1979). He was elected to student senate and served as the class president of the university. He also served as a liaison to carry the student body vote for state representatives, state senate, congressional and U.S. Senate campaigns. He worked as a social outreach worker in charge of juvenile offenders for the Brown County Juvenile Probation Department.

He then attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (1979–81), where he studied for a master's degree in education before transferring to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas, where he received a Master of Divinity (1981–84). He also graduated from the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Department Reserve Academy and served for two years with the Richland Hills Police Department as a reserve officer.

From 1975 to 1984, Skinner spent time during the summer months as a mountaineer in Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. In 1983, he traveled to Mt. Ararat in Turkey with American astronaut James Irwin in search of Noah’s Ark. Irwin served as Lunar Module pilot for Apollo 15, the fourth human lunar landing, and was the eighth person to walk on the Moon. Skinner and Irwin maintained a close friendship until Irwin’s death in 1991.[2]

After a brief period of serving local churches, Skinner moved to Atlanta, Georgia, in 1989 and began working in the criminal justice community. He worked in conjunction with 12 local law enforcement agencies concerned about the increase in homicides in the African-American community among juveniles. The agencies formed a task force that focused on the increase of violence among black male juveniles, child trafficking and ritualistic crimes. Skinner worked with nationally known crime trend expert, Dr. Jack Enter of Georgia, a consultant to federal law enforcement agencies and Scotland Yard.[3] Skinner adapted research and analysis into the task force study and began developing a Five-Phase Model for Community Transformation.

Skinner has lectured at major universities and conferences including as the National Academy of Forensics. He has also served as a consultant to the Department of Treasury (ATF and Customs), Naval and Air Force Intelligence, and numerous state and local law enforcement agencies involving child trafficking, gang violence, drug trafficking, and ritualistic crimes.[4]

In 1992, Skinner began working with nationally known experts in child trafficking, sexual trafficking of children, drug cartels, gang violence, and ritualistic crimes. He served as the director of the National Conference on Crimes Against Children in Washington, D.C. in 1993 and 1994. The conference brought together the leading prosecutors, investigators, judges, and university researchers to coordinate an aggressive national strategy to combat crimes against children. Notable leaders such as Attorney General Ed Meese, U.S. Customs Child Exploitation Director John Sullivan, and U.S. Justice Department officials of the Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton administrations were involved, in addition to over 300 notable leaders in the criminal justice community for child advocacy. Major law firms from both the Democratic and Republican parties were involved in the united effort, for the first time working together to advocate for children. Marilyn Van Derbur, former Miss America and Outstanding Woman Speaker of America also served as a keynote speaker.

During the September 1993 conference on Crimes Against Children, the 300 leaders present worked toward the passage of the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act as well as meeting with key members of the United States Congress over a three-day period. Congress passed the bill four months later, which mandated that each state create a specific program to register sex offenders.

In 1994, Skinner began working on child advocacy projects in California and Mississippi, resulting in an extensive research project in the state of Mississippi. Skinner wrote two books documenting his research surrounding the cultural, sociological and spiritual causes of violence in Mississippi with a specific focus on the civil rights era.[5] That same year, Skinner began working with the Racial Reconciliation department of the national men’s movement called Promise Keepers.[6]

Skinner began serving in Mississippi in 1996, traveling over 100,000 miles over the next three years working on civil rights cases that remained unprosecuted from the Civil Rights era of the 1950s and 1960s. As a part of the collaborative effort of multiple statewide prayer and mobilization groups, Skinner introduced the Five Phase Transformation Model and the Four R’s of Community Transformation. Noted organizations such as Mission Mississippi, Mississippi Prayer Network, and Women’s Aglow worked with Skinner so that by the year 2000 more than 12 men were indicted and imprisoned for infamous civil rights cases. Skinner became a regularly invited speaker at the National Juneteenth Celebration in Washington, D.C. He also served with noted civil rights leaders Dr. Mark Pollard and Dr. Ron Meyers and led advocacy groups for the federal lawsuit against the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) by black farmers.

During the 1997 period of African-American church burnings in the Deep South, Skinner served with the leaders of five major non-profit groups to disburse more than $1 million in funds to rebuild the church ruins. Among the groups Skinner collaborated with were World Vision, World Relief, Promise Keepers, and the National Criminal Justice Task Force.

Skinner began working with political consultant Dr. Juan Hernandez [7] in 2000; a relationship that continued, spanning over a decade. Skinner worked with Dr. Hernandez on the Mexican Presidential Campaign of Vicente Fox [8] and later as a consultant for Mexican-American relations on Immigration Reform. The relationship has continued through various Presidential campaigns, local mayoral races in Dallas–Fort Worth as well as with the Hispanic Republicans of Texas state legislative races.[9]

Skinner created the Five Phase Transformation Model (Copyrighted 1994) which consists of: 1. Research analysis with report card, 2. Development of Strategic Partnerships 3. Casting New Vision 4. Community wake-up call rallies, 5. Community mobilization. Skinner also coined the Five R’s of Community Transformation: Repentance, Reconciliation, Restoration, Revival and Reformation.

In 2002, Skinner became a consultant to Shelby County Mental Health, aiding them in the response to a suicide crisis among high school students in the city of Harlan, Iowa. He was chosen as a delegate to the state Republican Party convention, supporting a pro-life physician for the nomination to Congress (the nominee was ultimately defeated by Rep. Stephen King), and was one of five hundred Iowans to choose their next congressman.[10] Skinner implemented his transformation model in the region where widespread spiritual awakening occurred, which positively impacted the drug and occult community.[11]

Skinner moved to Dallas, Texas in 2003, where he began working with Hillcrest Church. During that time, he began the process of research and analysis. His research eventually resulted in the publication of Why God Created Dallas in 2008. After discovering the historical injustice that occurred between the 1940s and the 1970s against African-Americans, Hispanics and poor whites, Skinner began working in West Dallas in 2003. That same year, Skinner began implementing the Transformation West Dallas model.[12]

In 2004, Skinner joined the Global Day of Prayer 90 Days of Blessing [13] He also began a series of lectures on the history of West Dallas and its key to redeeming Dallas from systemic high crime and poverty.[12] A regular participant at Beckett Publishing roundtable discussions, Skinner began a concerted effort to bring West Dallas leaders together with business leaders to discuss both the history of West Dallas and its injustices.[14]

A partnership developed in 2005 with JPI, one of the nation’s largest luxury apartment condo builders.[15] The JPI corporation lent its technical assistants to Skinner in order to develop a database to track crime, sex offenders, poverty and slum properties. The resulting research allowed Strategic Justice Initiatives Inc. (SJI) and Builders of Hope Inc. to facilitate a $500,000 donation to purchase slum properties in West Dallas, where Builders of Hope CDC proceeded to build quality, affordable housing. SJI conducted a study measuring the accomplishments of Builders of Hope CDC and the actual impact on the community of West Dallas. The findings were presented to Southern Methodist University’s Conference sponsored by Faith and Philanthropy that year. The study was also presented to the Foundation for Community Empowerment as a grant proposal. SJI facilitated a meeting at JPI with more than 30 non-profit leaders that began a more concentrated focus on economic transformation.

The partnership between Skinner and SJI continued over the next 3 years with a collaborative effort that would include up to 70 community leaders. Skinner helped facilitate more than $10 million that was funneled into the region largely to buy out slum properties.[16]

Skinner continues to live in the West Dallas community working for justice in housing, education, and improved living conditions. He was tasked by the U.S. Attorney of North Texas, Sarah R. Saldaña, and U.S. Marshal Randy Ely to represent the community of West Dallas when properties were seized from a notorious street gang and turned over to the Dallas Habitat for Humanity. Skinner spoked alongside the U.S. Attorney.

The Gator Boyz, which was made up of members of both the Bloods and Crips, used drug proceeds to purchase houses in West Dallas. This gang not only dealt drugs from these properties, but further terrorized the neighborhood by walking an alligator on a leash down the street. Thanks to the efforts of the Dallas Police Department's Gang Unit and ATF, approximately 304 grams of crack cocaine, 440 grams of marijuana and dozens of firearms were seized. In addition, approximately 20 gang members were convicted, including the gang's leaders, brothers Patrick and Tyrone Weatherall. The Weatherall's are now serving 20 and 30-year federal prison sentences.[17][18]

Skinner received Mayor of Dallas Tom Leppert’s blessing in the fall of 2008 to begin planning for an urban summit.[19] The summit would bring the West Dallas transformation model to South Dallas’ impoverished areas.[20] The transformation process involved leaders from nearly every denomination and major non-profit in Dallas.[21] Don Williams, noted developer and chairman of Trammel Crow, had formed the Foundation for Community Empowerment to eradicate poverty and crime in Dallas. Williams assisted in sponsoring the event.[22] Skinner was chosen by Mayor Leppert to represent him in the movement, which grew to 300 city leaders, resulting in the launch of the Greater Dallas Justice Revival (GDJR).[23] The GDJR was held in November 2009 [24] in Dallas Market Hall Speakers at the event included noted, national leaders such as conservative Hispanic Republican Sam Rodriquez, Mayor Tom Leppert and noted Christian artists Jaci Velasqez, Salvador, Fred Hammond, and Israel Houghton and New Breed.[25]

In the fall of 2009, the city leaders asked that Skinner lead the Greater Dallas Justice Revival movement.[26] GDJR had agreed to focus on improving [27] 25 inner city schools as well as the placement of 700 additional units of permanent supportive housing [28] for homeless by 2014.[29][30] By the end of 2011, these goals had not only been met but had been exceeded with 1,800 units of permanent supportive housing provided, and 35 school-church partnerships.

Upon the accomplishment of its goals, the Greater Dallas Justice-Revival became two separate movements. The school church partnership evolved into the nonprofit, FEED 3[31] while the work to end homelessness became Homes for Our Neighbors.[32]

In March 2009, SJI partnered with the Heart of a Champion program [33] to implement a program in local schools that were suffering from poor test scores and discipline challenges. Working with individual Dallas City Council members, Skinner has successfully brought churches, non-profit organizations and economic resources to suffering areas.[34] In February 2010, in partnership with Heart of a Champion and Xperience, a professional athletic outreach organization, more than 40 inner city schools heard pro NFL and NBA athletes speak on character. In 2010 and 2011, through GDJR, 16 collegiate coaches from across the nation conducted football camps for more than 150 inner city youth in the Jubilee Community of South Dallas.[35] In the winter of 2010, more than $1.3 million worth of toys were distributed by SJI to 160 non-profit organizations in the Greater Dallas Area to be distributed to needy children.[36] Skinner was the keynote speaker to the 30th Congressional Youth Summit on Hunger in the summer of 2011.

Skinner became the Dallas Mayor, Tom Leppert’s representative for the Texas Hunger Initiative in 2009. The Texas Hunger Initiative (THI) is a capacity-building and collaborative project that seeks to develop and implement strategies to end hunger through policy, education, community organizing, and community development. The Greater Dallas Justice Revival partnered with Grammy Award-winning Casting Crowns, TobyMac, and Tenth Avenue North in 2010 for a concert in Grand Prairie, Texas with over 7,000 people attending.[37] The event was focused on hunger and relief. In 2011, FEED 3 was launched. FEED 3 is a pro-business approach to hunger and poverty and was created by three local businessmen. In a partnership with local media companies, more than 1 million people have seen advertisements regarding hunger and homelessness initiated by FEED 3 and Homes for Our Neighbors.

In November 2011, FEED 3 founded and co-sponsored the No Kid Hungry North Texas Hunger Summit, hosted by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and co-sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture, Texas Department of Agriculture, Texas Hunger Initiative, Texas No Hungry Kid Campaign, North Texas Food Bank, Citysquare, and featuring Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings. The summit launched the Dallas Food Planning Association with the purpose of empowering Dallas County residents to gain equal access to healthy food.[38]

Today, the summit is called the Dallas Hunger Summit. The Dallas Food Planning Association became the Dallas Coalition for Hunger Solutions. FEED 3 Executive Director Randy H. Skinner represents the Mayor of Dallas office for both initiatives. In its fourth year (2015), the Dallas Hunger Summit and Coalition has involved over 100 organizations whose mission is to ensure that all of Dallas County residents are empowered to gain equal access to healthy food.

In 2012, FEED 3 partnered with non-profit Strategic Justice Initiatives to help feed children in the inner city with summer meals. Through the summer of 2015 over 500,000 meals have been served to inner city kids representing 34 sites. FEED 3 provided support services to the feeding sites, with three hot meals and two cold meals served throughout the week. In 2014, FEED 3 partnered with the nonprofit Daily Bread Ministries Inc. in San Antonio, Texas, in a three-year project working with its 140 feeding sites in the poorest areas of San Antonio. FEED 3 also began working with the San Antonio Baptist Association three hundred churches on overall strategy for hunger, poverty eradication, and emergency relief. FEED 3 continues to work throughout the state of Texas with city leaders from Austin, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Tyler, and the greater DFW community to bring self sustainable sites to end hunger and malnutrition.[31]

Skinner was chosen by then Mayor Tom Leppert [39] in 2008 to become chairman of the City of Dallas Ethics Advisory Commission. Mayor Leppert worked closely with Chairman Skinner to bring strong ethical reform to the city of Dallas. Some of the items passed by the advisory commission included the requirement that lobbyists register with the city of Dallas, a limit to the amount of campaign contributions that came from developers,[40] the disclosure of gifts to council members over $50,[41] and two city council members were now required to “second” major zoning cases certifying they had reviewed the details of the case before the matter could be voted on.[42]

Mayor Leppert resigned as Dallas Mayor in 2011 in order to run for the Republican nomination of the U.S. Senate.[43] Skinner continued to work with Mayor Pro Tem Dwayne Caraway [44] and the city council to prevent a weakening of the campaign contribution guidelines implemented under Mayor Leppert. The chairman worked closely with the Mayor and council members to reverse a vote by the council that weakened campaign contribution laws.

In the fall of 2011, newly elected Mayor Mike Rawlings [45] asked Skinner to remain as chairman of the City of Dallas Ethics Commission [46] and work with Dallas City Councilman Jerry Allen [47] for a stronger culture of ethics within the city government [48]

Skinner has been supported in his work to strengthen ethics in city government by the Dallas Morning News editorial board.[49][50]

As a result of Skinner and Councilman Jerry Allen's leadership, an Ethics and Diversity Office was created to address ethics issues for city employees. In May 2014, an ethics officer was hired by the City of Dallas to work closely with the City Manager on ethical education and reform. Since that time, the Ethics Office has completed training for over 12,000 city employees using a two-hour training designed by nationally recognized Ethics Consultant Firm, Navigant.[51][52]

Skinner began anew in 2013 working with Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings to push for tighter ethical reform that included putting guidelines over the Mayor and City Councils office accounts, proper protocol on town hall meetings, guidelines on political activities for employees, and allowing the EAC (Ethics Advisory Commission) to begin working on the City of Dallas Election (Chapter 15A) guidelines for office holders and candidates.[53]

As a result of Skinner’s work with Councilman Jerry Allen, and the City of Dallas Ethics Office, the City of Dallas was nominated for the Greater Dallas Business Ethics Award.

In 2015, Mayor Mike Rawlings tapped Skinner to push through stronger ethical reforms for the City of Dallas. Rawlings highlighted his stance on stronger ethics as the keynote speaker of the Greater Dallas Business Ethics Award ceremony.[54]

The Greater Dallas Justice Revival became the official representative of the faith community on behalf of the Dallas Housing Authority and the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance in 2010. That same year they developed a program called Homes for Our Neighbors, which partnered local churches with formerly homeless.[55] By the end of 2011, nearly 2000 formerly homeless people will have been moved into permanent supportive housing with a 97 percent success rate. Skinner helped to negotiate a compromise with local community leaders who opposed the action of the formerly homeless moving into the communities of Oak Cliff and East Dallas. Skinner worked with the West Dallas/Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce and Cliff Temple Baptist Church in Oak Cliff to resolve the challenges and a new non-profit was developed in partnership with the Dallas Housing Authority to provide jobs and community partnerships. In East Dallas, Skinner worked with City Councilman Jerry Allen of Lake Highlands and the Episcopal Diocese to help improve community relations for PSH residents in that community.[28][32]

In 2015, Randy Skinner was asked to become part of the Texas delegation of noted leaders from Texas in the political, academic, business, and faith community to represent Texas as a member of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC). Led by the Honorable Gen. Colin Powell as Chairman, the coalition is a broad-based influential network of 400 businesses and NGOs; national security and foreign policy experts; and business, faith-based, academic and community leaders in all 50 states who support a smart power approach of elevating diplomacy and development alongside defense in order to build a better, safer world. Noted leaders such as Former Sec. of State Condoleezza Rice, Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL.), Sen. Bill Bradley (D-NJ), Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM), Sec. of State James Baker III, are involved as are organizations such as Catholic Relief and World Vision.[56]

Skinner currently resides in the inner city with his wife and family.