Chicago Conference on Religion and Race collection

Biography/Profile

The Chicago Conference on Religion and Race was formed immediately following the National Conference on Race and Religion in January 1963. The National Conference was the first of its kind, and attracted over 700 clergy members who represented over 60 denominations from across the country. Upon the close of the conference, the executive subcommittee of the host committee formed the leadership of the Chicago organization, continuing to represent a diverse faith base including protestant, Catholic, and Jewish clergy and bringing the energy and initiatives of the conference into Chicago's social services community.

The National Conference took place in Chicago over a four day period, and sought to provide a forum for religious leaders to speak frankly about and mobilize their communities over radial segregation and inequality. Breakout sessions covered a variety of issues related to the religious community and racial experience, and concluded with an address by Dr. Martin Luther King.

The Chicago Conference picked up the torch and implemented a variety of the recommendations that came out of the conference, specifically on the topics of housing and employment. By continuing to build upon the interfaith coalitions formed in 1963, the Chicago Conference formed housing information centers to distribute listings of houses and apartments in a non-discriminatory manner, facilitated seminars on open housing for suburban clergy, and operated job finding and employement training programs. The Conference remained active into the 1970's.