The Annual Clergy and Lay Leadership Conference is the premier international justice gathering hosted by the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, Inc. Attendees arrive at the four-day conference for inspiration, education, fellowship, and communal ingenuity. Through the power of prophetic preaching, informed teaching and social activism, clergy, and laity strategize together on behalf of those most vulnerable and marginalized in the world. Conference attendees hear from the foremost African American theological scholars, grassroots and political leaders, emerging leaders, and practitioners. 

This year, the Annual Clergy and Lay Leadership Conference will take place in Little Rock, AR.

The full cost of registration to the Conference is $475. However, if you register by October 31, 2023, you will receive a $125 early bird discount. There are discounted prices following; however – if you act quickly – you can register for the Conference for as little as $350! 

Registration can be paid for by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover are accepted). Your registration can also be paid by a check if you download your registration form and mail it into our offices, 4533 South Lake Park Avenue, Chicago, IL 60653.

Registration includes access to all Conference sessions, including plenary sessions, concurrent sessions, worship services, and networking events. 

Cancellations and requests for refunds will be accepted through February 3, 2023. Requests should be sent in writing by fax or e-mail. The following fees will be charged for cancellation and refunds. 15% for requests received before December 31, 2022; 20% for requests received before January 14, 2023; and 30% after January 31, 2023. Please allow a minimum of 4 weeks for processing. Our fax number is 773-548-6699 or email conference@sdpconference.info.

While traditionally, Conference guests choose to attend in casual or business casual attire for convenience, there is no formal dress code. We strive to make our Conference as comfortable and accessible as possible to all who attend. 

The Little Rock Marriott and the Little Rock Doubletree by Hilton, located in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas, has a special conference rate plus applicable taxes. Register: https://bit.ly/2025MarriottReservations (Marriott) and here: https://bit.ly/2025DoubletreeReservations (Doubletree Hotel by Hilton). The deadline for these rates are January 27, 2024 (Marriott) and January 31, 2025 (Doubletree). 

Several options are available. Little Rock, Arkansas is accessible by car, bus (Greyhound and Trailways), train (Amtrak), or air (Clinton National Airport). Airline fares vary; search early for the best results.

Self-parking (both hotels) and valet parking (Marriott) are available. The Statehouse Convention Center has three adjacent parking decks and surface parking areas offering 1,850 spaces • Hundreds more spaces of on-street parking are available within blocks.

Ride share and taxis are readily available and offer great pricing. Most, if not all activities, occur in the host hotel and Convention Center. The area around the hotel is extremely walkable, and the weather should be quite comfortable... especially for February!

A limited number of exhibit tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To learn more about the opportunity to exhibit, download the Exhibitor Guide and contact our event management agent, Divine Events at SDPC25@divineeventsstl.com. Be sure to also send SDPC a copy of that email at conference@sdpconference.info. 

Yes! Sponsorship package opportunities are available. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please download the Sponsor Guide and contact Jamar Boyd II, at jamar@sdpconference.info. 

The Conference is 100% accessible to persons with disabilities. If there are accommodations that can make to ensure you have the best possible Conference experience, do not hesitate to let us know by emailing conference@sdpconference.info. 

If you work for a news organization and are interested in covering the Conference, we would be honored to have you. To get a Press Pass, email us admin@sdpconfeerence.info with your name, the organization, and the topics you're interested in covering. Once on site, please check in as Press.