National Baptist Convention Opens Social Justice Center Near US Capitol

The National Baptist Convention U.S.A. Inc. opened a new Center for Social Justice in Washington, D.C., on July 14, 2026, positioning the organization closer to the halls of federal power.

The center sits near the US Capitol and the Supreme Court. NBCUSA President Boise Kimber said the location is intentional. The organization wants to be present where decisions affecting Black communities are made.

Kimber said the center will focus on three main areas: the erosion of voting rights, the impact of redistricting on Black political representation, and voter mobilization in states including Alabama, Louisiana, and Tennessee.

The National Baptist Convention is one of the largest Black Christian denominations in the United States, with millions of members across thousands of congregations. The new center gives the organization a permanent base for advocacy work in the nation's capital.

The launch comes as Black faith leaders across the country have stepped up civic engagement efforts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Many churches have organized voter registration drives, poll chaplain programs, and education workshops to increase turnout.

A multistate "Faith in Us" movement, supported by clergy from multiple traditions, has also been working to turn houses of worship into what organizers call "democracy hubs." The movement has collected more than 1,700 signatures on a letter calling on election administrators to protect the voting process.

Kimber framed the center's work within the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement, saying the church has always been a site of political action for Black Americans. He said the current political climate makes that work more urgent than ever.