The Southern Christian Leadership Conference, or SCLC, is a civil rights organization founded in 1957. It was established to advance the cause of civil rights in the United States through nonviolent protest. The group played a significant role in the American civil rights movement, advocating for racial equality and social justice. Led by prominent figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., the SCLC organized various campaigns, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Birmingham Campaign. The organization focused on grassroots activism and aimed to empower African Americans to fight against segregation and discrimination in the South.