Founded in 1935, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities works statewide with schools, businesses and community groups to help achieve success through inclusion. To gain a deeper understanding of VCIC’s mission and philosophy, we sat down with President and CEO Jonathan Zur.
Since taking on his role in 2009, Zur has led the organization through significant growth and impact across the state. His leadership has earned national recognition, including an invitation to speak at the inaugural White House Summit on Diversity and Inclusion in Government in 2016 and being named a finalist for the Richmond Times-Dispatch’s 2015 Person of the Year.
How did your journey at VCIC begin?
My grandparents were Holocaust survivors, and that was something I was conscious of growing up. It led me to become involved in various causes and clubs supported by organizations similar to the VCIC. Volunteering became a true passion and eventually evolved into professional work.
Why did you choose VCIC?
This organization’s work really aligns with my values. It is meaningful and impactful. The team of people I have the honor of working with — our board, our chapter staff, colleagues — are really dedicated, caring, talented folks. And so, I think this organization and the folks involved in it really allow me to do what I care about, and to see tangible impact makes it fulfilling and rewarding to get up and try again each day.
What have been the most fulfilling moments of your career?
The work we do with students, particularly high school students, is so powerful and impactful. We recently hosted our annual Connections Institute Retreat, which brings together students from across Virginia. Over five days, they explore issues of inclusion, learn about themselves and others and develop action plans to bring back to their schools and communities.
Those are truly magical moments — seeing young people, over the course of a week, find their voice and clarify their values. What makes it even more meaningful is that many of our most dedicated volunteers are alumni of these programs. Years later, they’re giving back as teachers, business leaders or even elected officials. Knowing that VCIC was part of their journey is incredibly fulfilling.
Through your experiences, what has been the most valuable lesson in leadership?
The importance of perspective-taking is really critical to leadership, recognizing that what makes sense or works for me may not for[SR1] others. Inclusion requires intention, and if I’m not being intentionally inclusive, I run the risk of being unintentionally exclusive. I think a big part of leadership is pausing every day to think, “How am I making decisions? Who am I considering?” I think that results in more impactful work.
What are your aspirations for the future of VCIC?
I hope that VCIC can remain a trusted partner and resource. We bring a 90-year history as an organization, with lots of evidence-based practices, trusting partnerships and successful programs. I’m hopeful that people will continue to rely on and benefit from the work that we do.
With our relatively new strategic plan, we are moving as an organization toward providing more proactive work, more thoughtful leadership and greater resource dissemination. The goal is to further advance our mission — not by waiting for someone to call, but by identifying trends and developing program offerings that we believe will get ahead of the challenges.
How can people best support your mission?
Having partners in inclusion is truly critical. We’re certainly grateful for volunteers, donors and those who think of the VCIC when bringing this work into their schools, organizations or communities.
Ultimately, I believe that if each of us makes the daily decision to act in inclusive ways and consider the needs of our neighbors and communities, we can all make a meaningful difference. Anyone committed to being a partner in the work of building inclusive communities is someone for whom I’m deeply grateful.
Take action with VCIC by visiting, https://inclusiveva.org/takeaction/.
