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Expanding Our Beloved Community
Welcome, sisters, to the National Black Sisters’ Conference. In a world that is rapid, shifting, and sometimes uncertain, our unity and mutual support become our strongest foundation. This is more than an organization; it is a sacred space where our histories are honored, our voices are heard, and our gifts are celebrated. Each sister who joins adds a thread to the vibrant tapestry of leadership, service, wisdom, and resilience that moves our communities forward.
As we gather, may we embody and model the values that sustain us:
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Unity in diversity: Embracing our varied backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives as a source of strength.
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Mentorship and mutual care: Lifting as we rise, offering guidance, encouragement, and practical support to one another.
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Courageous advocacy: Standing boldly for justice, equity, and opportunity for Black families and communities, while listening with humility to the needs around us.
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Service with integrity: Honoring the call to serve not for recognition, but to heal, empower, and uplift those we touch.
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Lifelong learning: Welcoming growth, leadership development, and the sharing of knowledge across generations.
This conference is a place where every voice matters. Whether you are a longtime member or newly drawn to our mission, your experiences, questions, talents, and dreams are essential. We value the wisdom you bring, the curiosity you carry, and the creative energy you offer to help shape a brighter future for our families, neighborhoods, and nation.
We invite you to engage in meaningful dialogue, to collaborate across committees and programs, to mentor the next generation, and to champion initiatives that address both immediate needs and long-term aspirations. Let us commit to a culture of inclusivity where sisterhood is not merely spoken of but lived—through acts of listening, accountability, and shared responsibility.
As you consider joining, know that you are not alone. You are part of a network rooted in faith, resilience, and a declared commitment to serve with humility and excellence. We honor your gifts, your stories, and your ambitions, and we will walk with you as together we envision and enact positive change.
Blessings, strength, and gratitude for your willingness to join us on this journey. Welcome, sisters—your presence makes us whole, and your work makes our vision possible. We’re glad you’re here, and we look forward to building a brighter future together.
The History of the National Black Sisters' Conference
The National Black Sisters’ Conference (NBSC) began in 1968 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, guided by Sister Martin de Porres Grey, RSM (now Patricia Grey, Ph.D.), with generous support from the Most Reverend John J. Wright, Bishop of Pittsburgh, and the Sisters of Mercy there. Sister Martin de Porres was the lone woman religious at the first National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus (NBCCC) held in Detroit in April 1968. Moved by the vision of African American Catholic priests, she returned from the Caucus with a strengthened conviction that Black religious needed to address the urgent call for the Catholic Church in America to become more relevant to Black people, or risk losing credibility as a sign of Christian unity.
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Sr. Martin de Porres urged Black women religious to join in a collective, joyful, and unfettered effort to help bring about the Kingdom. At that pivotal summer meeting in 1968, more than 150 Black Catholic women religious from 79 national and international congregations gathered at Carlow College. Sister Martin de Porres was elected president, a Board of Directors was formed, and plans for the legal incorporation of NBSC were laid.
Today, NBSC is a national network of more than 150 Black Catholic women—religious and associates—across the United States. We work to nurture a positive self-image within our communities, to amplify a unified voice in support of the dignity and rights of women of color, and to create, mentor, and sustain programs for Black women in religious formation. We educate Black families and confront the sin of racism that continues to permeate our society and Church as we labor for the liberation of African people.
As Black women religious, we remain at the forefront of the pursuit of justice, bearing witness to the gospel’s saving truth and to the mission of Christ’s Church on earth.