Welcome to the NBSC 2026 Annual Assembly!

JULY 26-30th

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We are excited to warmly welcome all our sisters, friends, and supporters from near and far. This page is the official source for the latest updates on the 2026 Annual Assembly, and we look forward to sharing every step with you. 

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ONLINE CONFERENCE REGISTRATION 

CLICK HERE

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ONLINE HOTEL RESERVATION

CLICK HERE   

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CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM ​​

DOWNLOAD PDF 

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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SPEAKERS:

Sister Anita Baird, DHM

Sister Anita Baird, DHM, is a beloved  Catholic nun and a member of the Religious

Congregation of the Society of the Daughters of the Heart of Mary. A dedicated activist

for racial justice and voting rights, she has spent decades addressing systemic racism

within both the Catholic Church and broader society.

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Evang./Prof. Michael P. Howard, MACS

Evangelist/Professor Michael P. Howard, obtained his MA in Church Ministry / Spirituality

from St. Mary's University Seminary and his BA in Biblical Studies from Washington Bible

College. He is a graduate of the Institute for Black Catholic Studies and the Adult Faith

Formation program, Educational Parish Service in Washington, DC.

 

As faculty course designer for Loyola Marymount University's Center for Religion and Spirituality (LMU), Prof. Howard teaches courses online for Black Catholics at LMU. He also teaches online for the University of Dayton and the University of Notre Dame McGrath Institute STEP.

 

Professor Howard founded Eat the Scroll Ministry (ETSM), a ministry dedicated to ministering to Black Catholics and their allies. ETSM provides resources worldwide through their webpage that contains blog writings on the Sunday gospel and other videos. Website: www.eatthescrollministry. Professor Howard’s wife is Charlene Howard, National Executive Dir. of Pax Christi, U. S. A. They have four children and five grandchildren.

 

 

 

 

Shea-Danielle Pines, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

Shea-Danielle Pines is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) serving clients

in Maryland and Virginia. Bringing both personal and professional depth to a faith-

centered practice, she draws on experience as a former program coordinator, professor,

surgical technician, and mother of four. These roles have shaped a deep understanding

of the importance of self-care, emotional wellness, and balance in both personal

and professional life.

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Therapy, for Pines, is a deeply personal and transformative journey. Her goal is to help clients become more present, empowered, and aligned with their values, goals, and future vision. She works with individuals, couples, children, and teens across the lifespan, including those within faith-based communities and individuals from underserved and marginalized backgrounds.

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Pines specializes in anxiety, depression, and perinatal mental health, including support during pregnancy, postpartum adjustment, and the emotional transitions into motherhood. She also assists clients navigating relational stress and life transitions. Employing an integrative approach, she incorporates mindfulness, cognitive restructuring, and evidence-based therapeutic techniques to support healing and growth.

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Beyond clinical work, Pines offers workshops and speaking engagements for faith-based communities, focusing on burnout, emotional wellness, boundaries, and renewal. These experiences are designed to be both reflective and practical, equipping individuals and communities with tools to restore balance, deepen awareness, and cultivate sustainable well-being.

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Shea-Danielle Pines believes that overcoming past challenges and navigating present-day obstacles to live a meaningful, fulfilled life is possible. It would be an honor to partner with individuals on that journey and support them in creating the life they desire.

 

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QUICK REFERENCE INFORMATION:

• Date: July 26 - 30th 

• Location: Sheraton Baltimore North - 903 Dulaney Valley Rd, Towson, MD 21204

• Room Rate: $159.00 plus tax per night 

• Conference Rate:

  • Conference Early Bird Registration Fee: $275.00 until June 26th 

  • General Registration Fee: $295.00 after June 26th 

  • On-site Registration Fee: $350.00

• Hotel reservation #: 1 (888) 236-2427

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REFLECT, RENEW, RESPOND:

In 2026, the National Black Sisters Conference gathers once more to illuminate a path of spiritual leadership, communal care, and radical hospitality. As Black women religious and lay leaders, members of NBSC have long carried the mantle of resilience, courage, and transformative service. The 2026 Annual Assembly invites us to pause, renew, and recommit—to reflect on our journeys, renew our vocations, and respond to the urgent needs of our communities with compassion, clarity, and courage. At the heart of this gathering is a timely and vital theme: Reflect, Renew, Respond.

 

Reflect: Reflection is a disciplined practice—an invitation to listen deeply to the experiences of Black women in religious life, to acknowledge historic and ongoing harms, and to discern how tradition can inform justice-centered ministry today. Reflection helps us name the sources of strength, the areas where healing is still needed, and the ways in which our communities can grow more faithful and just.

 

Renew: Renewal is about more than renewal of vows or routine renewal of programs. It is a profound reorientation—renewing our commitments to spiritual quite and communal integrity, renewing leadership pipelines, and renewing the courage to imagine new forms of ministry. It involves investing in the spiritual, emotional, and vocational vitality of Black women religious and the communities they serve.

 

Respond: In a world marked by racialized inequities, health disparities, and spiritual hunger, responding with intentionality and solidarity is essential. Response means mobilizing resources, forming supportive networks, and translating reflection and renewal into actionable service—whether through education, healthcare advocacy, social services, or interfaith collaboration. It also means responding to the pain and needs of Black women and all people who seek safe havens, authentic listening, and steadfast care.

 

By reflecting on our histories, renewing our commitments, and responding decisively to needs, Black women religious and their networks can create a ripple effect: healthier communities, more equitable institutions, and a spiritual climate where every person—especially Black women and those most in need—finds a sanctuary of care, courage, and possibility.

 

Reflect, renew, and respond are not merely words for an annual meeting. They are a vocation—a call to spiritual leadership that places Black women at the center as stewards of faith, service, and sanctuary. The 2026 NBSC Annual Assembly invites all who attend to participate in a transformative journey: to listen deeply, to renew our mandates with integrity, and to respond with bold, compassionate action that strengthens families, uplifts communities, and nurtures the sacred dignity of every person.

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AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION:

The Sheraton Baltimore North Hotel in Towson is approximately 19 to 27 miles from  Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), depending on the route. 

Travel Breakdown

• Driving/Rideshare: The trip typically takes 33 to 36 minutes via I-695 North.

• Public Transit: A combination of the Light Rail (from BWI to downtown Baltimore) and the CityLink RED bus takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

• Shuttle Services: While this specific hotel does not offer a direct airport shuttle, it is located next to the Towson Town Center mall and provides a free local area shuttle for nearby destinations. 

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FOOD OPTIONS WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM THE HOTEL:

Several restaurants are located within walking distance or a short drive (under 1 mile) from the Sheraton Baltimore North Hotel in Towson, MD. Top choices include Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill (0.3 mi), P.F. Chang's (0.3 mi), The Cheesecake Factory (0.3 mi), and the hotel’s own restaurant. 

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Top Nearby Restaurants: 

• Dining at the Hotel: Rain 903 Restaurant & Lounge (American, inside the hotel).

• Upscale/Steakhouse: Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill (0.3 mi), Towson Tavern.

• Casual/International: P.F. Chang's (0.3 mi)

  • The Melting Pot (0.5 mi)

  • Ssong's Hotdog (0.2 mi)

  • Kathmandu Kitchen (0.3 mi).

• Deli/Cafe: 

  • THB Bagelry & Deli of Towson (0.4 mi)

  • 100 West Deli (0.8 mi). 

Within Walking Distance (Towson Town Center Area): 

• The Brass Tap (3 min walk).

• Starbucks (4 min walk).

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We can’t wait to welcome you in 2026 and to celebrate together. Thank you for being part of the NBSC family!