Since 2002, Esperanza has hosted the premiere Hispanic advocacy event – the National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast and Conference – in Washington, D.C. The now-biannual Prayer Breakfast draws hundreds of Hispanic clergy, gospel celebrities, corporate partners, and renowned speakers from around the country for a three-day advocacy conference.

Over the course of three days, Esperanza hosts a series of events and training workshops, including training in legislative advocacy, press conferences on relevant topics, and dinner programs to present new research in areas of relevance to the Hispanic community.

Our State of Hispanic Housing Dinner features expert presenters discussing housing issues such as trends in homeownership and foreclosure, and our Partners and Awards Dinner recognizes the dedicated service of evangelists, political and community leaders, corporate partners, and others.

Every year, we take approximately 250 clergy leaders to Capitol Hill to meet with their elected officials and advocate for immigration reform and other issues such as education and housing. This group of clergy collectively completes anywhere from 75-100 visits in one day, with congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle. In 2011 we had 250 clergy representing 33 states on the Hill. We have also participated in private briefings at the White House.

The conference culminates with the National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast on the third day, at which the President of the United States is featured as the keynote speaker.

Other activities at the conference include performances by Hispanic gospel artists, ongoing prayer activities led by the Mujeres de Esperanza women’s ministry, and launching new programs and initiatives.