Sojourner Truth Women’s Ministry Conference​

Sojourner Truth Women’s Ministry Conference​

Pre-Conference: Thursday, September 24th, 2026​

Conference: Friday, September 25th thru 26th, 2026​

Restoration Ministries of Greater Cleveland

21000 Lakeshore Boulevard Euclid, Ohio 44143​

GET READY! Registration is now open for the Sojourner Truth Women’s Ministry Conference 2026, sponsored by the Rudd Empowerment Center at ABWM!

Join women from across the nation (clergy and laywomen) as we come together to strengthen our faith, enhance our leadership skills, learn strategies for economic empowerment, expand our networks, and nurture our souls! The conference will also include components for teen girls. To learn more and to register, visit https://givebutter.com/SJT2026

 

At this pivotal moment, as women leaders, we must “retool” ourselves. The Sojourner Truth Women’s Ministry Conference is designed to assist in this endeavor. Women at all levels of ministry (clergy and laywomen) are welcome! We will focus on leadership development: leadership styles, navigating world and church politics as leaders, economic empowerment, mentorship, and nurturing holistic health (spiritual, physical, emotional, and financial) as we lead. The conference will also include components for teen girls.

To register for the conference, register click here

Cancellation Policy: Refunds forfeit a $50 processing fee. Refunds will be issued at the discretion of American Baptist Women’s Ministries. Written cancellation notice must be received by Sept 1, 2026. No refund notification requests will be honored after Sept 2, 2026. Written cancellation notice may be emailed to info@abwomensministries.org.

Conference Schedule

Thursday, Pre-Conference, September 24th, 2026

Gather at the Conference Hotel, Hyatt Place Hotel, Legacy Village, Lyndhurst, Ohio: 12:30 p.m.

24665 Cedar Road

Lyndhurst, Ohio 44124

 

Leave via Coach for Akron, 1:00 p.m.

Travel together (via coach) to the Sojourner Truth Plaza in Akron, Ohio, 37 North High Street, Akron, Ohio 44308 (Transportation via Company Car & Limousine)

2:00 – 4:30 p.m.

• Tour the plaza and the adjoining facility
• Special ceremony honoring Sojourner Truth, highlighting the “Sojourner Truth Traveling Stole,” led by Rev. Dr. LaVerne C. Hall, President of the Board of Directors of the Dr. James and Janie Washington Cultural Center, Seattle, WA

 

*4:30 p.m. Travel to Sheraton Suites Banquets

Sheraton Suites Akron Cuyahoga Falls

1989 Front Street

Cuyahoga Falls, OH  44221

Marriott.com/CAKSI

 

Dinner together at Sheraton (participants pay for their own dinner/ $45 per person)

• 7:30 p.m., Return to Hyatt Place Hotel, Lyndhurst, Ohio (participants go back to their place of lodging)

Conference DAY 1 held at Restoration Ministries of Greater Cleveland, Euclid, Ohio

21000 Lakeshore Boulevard, Euclid, Ohio 44123

 

Friday, September 25th, 2026, Day 1

• Check-in: 4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
• Dinner: 5:00 – 6:15 p.m.

Opening Workshop: 6:30-7:40 p.m. “Enlarging Our Territory: Best practices for Identifying and Obtaining Financial Resources for Ministry” for presented by Rev. Brian Upton, Executive Director of Building Hope in the City

• Opening Worship: 7:50 – 9:15 p.m., Guest Preacher, Pastor Michele Humphrey, Senior Pastor Imani United Church of Christ

DAY 2 Conference held at

Hyatt Place Cleveland/Lyndhurst/Legacy Village

24665 Cedar Road

Lyndhurst, Ohio

United States 44124

 

 

Saturday, September 26th, 2026, Day 2

• Check-in: 9:00 – 9:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast
• Opening Plenary: 9:45 – 11:00 a.m., “Women Leaders and Trauma” Part I, Rev. Dr. Lisa Goods
• Day 2 Worship: 11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Guest Preacher, Minister Joy Andrews

 

Conference Luncheon: 12:40 – 1:40 p.m.

Afternoon Workshops (1:40 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.)

• “Women Leaders and Trauma” Part II, Rev. Dr. Alicia Malone 1:40 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.
• “Financial Stewardship for Leaders: Identifying, Establishing, and Growing Resources for Kingdom Business” 3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.) Ms. Gina Haas, Director of Investments, American Baptist Home Mission Societies

 

Teen Workshops (concurrent with Women’s workshops: 1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m., 3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.)

• “Self-Awareness, Self-Care, and Self-Esteem:” Ms. Dawn Doerr-Johnson, 1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m., Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Mental Health Counselor
• “Positioned for Godly Success:” Rev. Dr. TaNikka Sheppard, Executive Minister, the Cleveland Baptist Association, General Secretary, North American Baptist Fellowship, 3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.

Closing Commissioning and Holy Communion

• Commissioning Service and Holy Communion, 4:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
• Closing remarks and Benediction – 5:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Rev. Dr. Chris Smith, Executive Director, Rudd Empowerment Center at ABWM, Conference Host,
• Senior Pastor, Restoration Ministries of Greater Cleveland

Church Location:

Restoration Ministries of Greater Cleveland (On the campus of the Church of the Epiphany)

21000 Lakeshore Boulevard

Euclid, Ohio 44143

 

Hotel Options:

HOTEL DISCOUNTED RESERVATION LINK:

Hotel Room per night, per room, $159.00 (for two queen beds)

 

dedicated link with your guests to directly book their hotel reservations:  

https://www.hyatt.com/events/en-US/group-booking/CLEZL/G-ABW2