African-American civil rights leaders recognized the need for a national organization to help with their efforts. On January 1957, Martin Luther King Jr and 60 ministers founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to harness the authority and organizing power of African american churches. They would help make non-violent protests to promote civil rights reform. King's participation in the organization gave him a base of operation throughout the South. In his role as the president Martin Luther King traveled across the country and around the world. He giving lectures on his opinion of nonviolent protest and civil rights as well as meeting with religious figures.“This new position did not stop King from the most significant civil rights
