About the Conference of National Black Churches (CNBC)

The Institute of Church Administration and Management emerged as an initiative of the Congress of National Black Churches and was established in 1992 at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, Georgia. ICAM grew out of the desire of the leaders of The Congress of National Black Churches for Black clergy and laity to become more proficient in management and administration. It became a premiere national leadership education initiative singularly focused on strengthening the management capacity of leaders of religious institutions, faith-based organizations and other religious bodies within the African American community. In December 2008 The Board of Trustees of ICAM voted to include the Conference of National Black Churches as a program of ICAM. This decision was a natural response to preparing Black church leaders to address the issues of the 21st century which impact the quality of life of African Americans. ICAM’s management and administration educational program continues.

CNBC is comprised of the national leadership of the largest historically Black denominations in America. The organization represents more than 80% of African American Christians across this nation that have a combined membership of over 20 million people and 30,000 congregations. CNBC serves as the vehicle by which our member denominations collaborate in the areas of health, social justice and public policy on behalf of African American communities.

Our Mission

The Conference of National Black Churches (CNBC) is the premiere public policy and social justice expression of the Black ecclesiastical denominations we represent in America. Our mission is to speak with a unified voice of black religious bodies that seeks to improve the quality of life for African Americans as they seek to reach their full potential in American society. CNBC is committed to a national strategy of Black Church intervention in four key areas: social justice/public policy, criminal justice reform, health (including supporting hunger initiatives) and education, especially the advancement of academic excellence for children in marginalized communities.

Our Goal

CNBC uses the influence and power of the leadership of the historically Black denominations to serve as a critical educational, organizational base, voice and influence to advocate for African Americans. Through CNBC, the member denominations work collectively to become a permanent point of interdenominational coordination for addressing systemic social change that will ultimately result in improving the quality of life for African Americans and other underserved. The headquarters of CNBC is based in Atlanta, Georgia.