It’s time to get free.
Every day, injustice threatens to place Black people in bondage and steal our joy; it’s time to get free. At Joy & Justice 2023, we want to help you to Rise Up & Flourish–to live in the freedom that Jesus proclaims. Joy & Justice is more than a conference; it’s an experience.
For two days, The Witness BCC team and our line-up of dynamic guests will speak to your core concerns. You will connect with like-minded people who share your questions, joys, and hardships.
You will encounter dynamic worship, thoughtful presentations, and meaningful conversations that will empower you to experience joy and seek justice. You might walk into the conference bearing the weight of injustice, but you will leave Joy & Justice 2023 refreshed, healed, and carrying a renewed passion for fighting injustice.
Rise Up and Flourish: It’s time to get free.
Rise Up & Flourish Conference
Venue
Lilydale First Baptist Church
Legacy Campus
424 Indianwood Boulevard
Park Forest, Illinois 60466
Reverend Alvin Love
Rise Up & Flourish Conference
Speakers
Danielle Coke Balfour
Dr. Christina Edmondson
Dr. Jemar Tisby
Tyler Burns
Ally Henny
Faitth Brooks
Dr. Natasha Sistrunk Robinson
Ekemini Uwan
Rev. Alvin Love
Dr. Kenyatta Gilbert
Robert Monson
Worship Leader
Chantel Varnado
More speakers will be announced soon!
Rise Up & Flourish Conference
Schedule
DAY 1 · Friday, June 23, 2023
Doors open at 5pm. Register & shop our vendors.
Conference begins at 6pm & ends at 9pm.
The Fellowship: An After Hours Event begins at 9pm & ends at 11pm.
DAY 2 · Saturday, June 24, 2023
Doors open at 8am.
The conference begins at 9am and ends at 5pm.
DAY 3 (optional) · Sunday, June 25, 2023
Sunday, June 25, 2023
Come to church with us at Lilydale!
11am
Rise Up & Flourish Conference
Food
Friday evening.
There will be coffee, tea, and water available 24/7. If you are able to attend The Fellowship: An After Hours Event, there will be h'orderves served throughout the evening. Learn more about the event and RSVP here!
Saturday morning.
You will get a complimentary mini-continental breakfast, including juices, coffee, tea. Be there when the doors open at 8am so you have time to enjoy a quick breakfast with our conference speakers.
Saturday lunch.
Lunch can be purchased from the black-owned food trucks, we will have parked outside. There will be gluten-free and vegetarian options as well, hoping to accommodate as many diets as possible.
Rise Up & Flourish Conference
Pre-order exclusive Witness merch
Coming Soon.
Rise Up & Flourish Conference
The Fellowship: An After-Hours Event
Friday, June 23 at 9pm
Lillydale First Baptist Church in Park Forest, IL
Join the Witness Foundation for a FREE Open Mic fundraising event on Friday night. Enjoy 2 hours of live music, horderves and a musical guest.
Rise Up & Flourish Conference
FAQs
The Joy and Justice conference welcomes people of any race or ethnicity to attend. Just as with The Witness, this conference has a specific mission to address the core concerns of Black Christians, however, we invite anyone to participate, learn, and grow with us.
Childcare for all ages will be available on both days of the conference.
Midway International Airport (MDW) is the closest airport to the conference location.
Since we are starting at 5pm on Friday, June 23, we will not have any food available.
On Saturday, June 24, you can start your day with a complimentary selection of light pastries, freshly brewed coffee, and refreshing juices waiting for you as soon as the doors open. You can support local Black-owned businesses at lunchtime, by buying your lunch from the food trucks that we will have parked outside! There will be outdoor seating available.
Stay hydrated all day long with our complimentary coffee, tea, and water stations, and don't forget to bring your own water bottles for refills at our hands-free water fountain. But, if you forget, no worries! We've got you covered with bottled water available as well.
We would love to add you to our existing roster of sponsors. Please email zennah@thewitnessbcc.com to get more information.
To take advantage of the group rates that we have negotiated, be sure to book your hotel by the dates listed below.
Hampton Inn & Suites Chicago Southland-Matteson
20920 Matteson Avenue
Matteson, IL 60443
708-748-4102
Room Rates:
$169 + (14%)tax = $192.66 Standard King or Queens (2 Beds)
$189 + (14%)tax = $215.46 Queen Suite
- Payment is not required to make a reservation. However, a credit card is needed to hold the room.
- Reservation can be canceled 48 hours before arrival without penalty of one-night room and tax.
Group dates: June 23 - 25, 2023
Group code: TWS
Reservations must be made by May 23, 2023
Holiday Inn Chicago Matteson Conference Center
500 Holiday Plaza Drive
Matteson, IL 60443
708-747-3500
Room Rates: (Breakfast is Included)
$169 + (14%)tax = $192.66 Standard King or Queens (2 Beds)
$299 + (14%)tax = $337.87 Suite
- Payment is not required to make a reservation. However, a credit card is needed to hold the room.
- Only one reservation per name…..duplicate named reservations are subject to the system canceling the room.
- Reservation can be canceled by 6:00 PM local hotel time (24 hours prior) to arrival without penalty of one-night room and tax.
Group dates: June 23 - 25, 2023
Group code: TWC
Reservations must be made by May 26, 2023
GROUP LINK or call 1-708-747-3500
As of now, masks will not be required to enter the conference. There will be N95 and KN95 masks available at registration, along with hand sanitizing stations throughout the space. If you are diagnosed with COVID or you are feeling sick leading up to the conference, please stay at home so we can keep attendees safe. We will get you set up with the live stream so you can still enjoy the conference from the comfort of your home.
For all other questions, please contact zennah@thewitnessbcc.com.
Rise Up & Flourish Conference
Coming Soon:
Sponsorship and other engagement opportunities