The National Black Catholic Men’s Conference will host its annual gathering this fall in Alabama, bringing hundreds from around the country for several days of fellowship, worship, prayer, and encouragement.
The conference will take place from October 15-18 at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel, headlined by keynote speakers including former Birmingham mayor William A. Bell Sr. and the Resurrectionist priest Manuel Williams.
This year’s conference theme is “The Rock I Stand On,” referencing the Gospel of Matthew’s parable of the wise and foolish builders, calling attention to the need for firm spiritual foundations in the Black community.
“I'm asking you to rise and I'm asking you to be there for this conference featuring dynamic workshops, inspired keynote speakers, a health fair, engaging vendors, and an unforgettable Birmingham historical immersion experience titled ‘Walk as They Walk,’” said Divine Word priest Charles Smith, one of the conference organizers, in an announcement video earlier this year.
“I invite you to come. I invite you to bring someone, your son, and friends, and to register.”
Activities will include workshops, praise and worship, a guided tour of civil rights monuments in the city, Harambee Town Hall, a jazz concert, and a youth track for younger participants. The conference is open to Black Catholics of all ages and backgrounds, including children between the age of 13 and 17.
“The conference is open to all men seeking fellowship and spiritual growth,” said Bell, a Black Catholic who served as mayor of Birmingham from 2010 to 2017.
Workshop speakers this year include Brent Patterson, Fr Gerald Holloway, Lewis Burks, Vincent Walker, Fr Avery Daniel, Dcn Peter Smith, Charles Benjamin, and Michael Howard. Topics covered will include racial justice, financial wellness, Black wisdom, brotherhood, and mental health, among others.
“They're going to be immersed,” said Alex Brewer, a local host in Birmingham, in a promo video on the different experiences planned for conference attendees. “They're going to leave with a sense of gratitude for the past and a vision for the future.”
The conference, organized by the Bowman Francis Ministry, regularly draws laity, clergy, and consecrated religious from around the country. Its name honors the late Fr Chester P. Smith, who cofounded BFM in 1995 with a number of fellow Divine Word priests, including his twin brother Charles, Kenneth Hamilton, and Anthony Clark. The first NBMC was held in 2004.
Tickets for this year’s conference are available online, as are discounted hotel rates through Tuesday, Sept. 1. Registration is $215 for adults and $150 for children, which includes all conference activities except for the jazz concert on Friday, Oct. 16.
Separate tickets are also available for the Friday breakfast and keynote, which are open to non-conference guests, including women. Placements in the conference ad booklet can also be purchased online in various sizes, with a deadline of Sept. 1.
Nate Tinner-Williams is the co-founder of Black Catholic Messenger.
