Who We Are
Mission Statement
Our mission is to empower the creation of environments where differences are recognized, understood, appreciated, and utilized for the benefit of all through both time-tested and innovative training and tools, public advocacy, and consulting models addressing the personal, interpersonal, cultural, and institutional levels.
We envision a more equitable world where: ● Differences are valued and used for the benefit of all ● There is a common awareness of and language for addressing issues of difference among all sectors ● Communities listen more, always seek to understand each other first, grow in their curiosity of each other's perspective, and accept that multiple perspectives are the pathway towards equity and liberation. ● Our justice, health care, education, and other systems are more equitable ●Intersectionality is recognized, understood, and acted upon |
Founding Director Valerie Batts, VP, Training and Development, explains VISIONS approach to language and how it enhances our effectiveness. |
VISIONS is celebrated for its change-oriented approach to diversity and inclusion work.
We offer clients the tools and skills to:
VISIONS has a highly trained team of consultants around the United States and abroad. Since 1984, VISIONS has trained more than 115,000 people and, in the last decade, worked with over 500 organizations. Moving forward, we are developing the next generation of youth leaders through our Youth Empowerment Workshops and the Legacy Project.
We offer clients the tools and skills to:
- Communicate more effectively across difference.
- Create a non-judgmental atmosphere which allows for challenges and accountability without accusation and blame.
- Analyze complex issues regarding race, class, gender and other differences at the personal, interpersonal, institutional and cultural levels.
- Create strategies for inclusion that allow for engagement of all participants, so they can perform to their full potential.
VISIONS has a highly trained team of consultants around the United States and abroad. Since 1984, VISIONS has trained more than 115,000 people and, in the last decade, worked with over 500 organizations. Moving forward, we are developing the next generation of youth leaders through our Youth Empowerment Workshops and the Legacy Project.
Our Values
Our Founding Principle
The spirit of reciprocity is a time-honored tradition in African-centered cultures and organizations. This spirit forms the fabric of who we are as an organization and is essential to what we do and how we do it. We recognize that our consultants bring skills and abilities learned prior to, and concurrent with, their own experiences in VISIONS. As an organization, we collectively benefit from the skills, abilities, and self-development processes of the consultants. The power of VISIONS is derived from our relationships with one another and the mutual support these relationships provide.
Our Core Values
Equity -- We are committed to fundamental fairness and justice for all individuals and reflect these principles in our actions and interactions with others.
Integrity -- We are trustworthy, honest, and transparent in what we say and what we do.
Diversity -- We acknowledge and recognize the unique perspectives, lived experiences, and beliefs of those with whom we work and support.
Inclusivity -- We welcome and embrace differences. We seek to include people and perspectives that might otherwise be excluded or marginalized.
Connectedness -- We strive to create community in our work and conduct ourselves with empathy where we seek to understand and accept others.
The spirit of reciprocity is a time-honored tradition in African-centered cultures and organizations. This spirit forms the fabric of who we are as an organization and is essential to what we do and how we do it. We recognize that our consultants bring skills and abilities learned prior to, and concurrent with, their own experiences in VISIONS. As an organization, we collectively benefit from the skills, abilities, and self-development processes of the consultants. The power of VISIONS is derived from our relationships with one another and the mutual support these relationships provide.
Our Core Values
Equity -- We are committed to fundamental fairness and justice for all individuals and reflect these principles in our actions and interactions with others.
Integrity -- We are trustworthy, honest, and transparent in what we say and what we do.
Diversity -- We acknowledge and recognize the unique perspectives, lived experiences, and beliefs of those with whom we work and support.
Inclusivity -- We welcome and embrace differences. We seek to include people and perspectives that might otherwise be excluded or marginalized.
Connectedness -- We strive to create community in our work and conduct ourselves with empathy where we seek to understand and accept others.
Our History
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It started with a question…
In 1984, the founders of VISIONS—three black women who grew up in legalized segregation and a white Jewish man who grew up in the civil rights movement—brought together change agents in the fields of education, law, psychology, public health, business and religion, all of whom were asking the question, “How do we include people who have been historically excluded from white, mostly male institutions?” The challenge was to understand and pioneer ways that everyone could prosper. Following the first wave of affirmative action in the U.S., the common practice had been to add more diversity without paying attention to how to best prepare the workplace, community, or church for success. Organizations failed to recognize the elements that needed to change to ensure that those being brought in would stay and thrive. |
Founding Director Valerie Batts, VP, Training and Development, on VISIONS’ humble beginnings and powerful impact. |
VISIONS developed a model that stood up to this challenge.
Our model is built on the understanding that change to any system must occur at multiple levels and address multiple variables of difference, including race and ethnicity, gender, class, sexual preference, and others. VISIONS recognized it was not enough to open doors to diversity at the institutional level alone. Instead, one must also address barriers to inclusion at the personal, interpersonal, and cultural levels as well. This approach revealed the attitudes, unconscious biases, and behaviors that prevent people from succeeding in organizations and pointed out what needed to change to make success for everyone a possibility.
Our model is built on the understanding that change to any system must occur at multiple levels and address multiple variables of difference, including race and ethnicity, gender, class, sexual preference, and others. VISIONS recognized it was not enough to open doors to diversity at the institutional level alone. Instead, one must also address barriers to inclusion at the personal, interpersonal, and cultural levels as well. This approach revealed the attitudes, unconscious biases, and behaviors that prevent people from succeeding in organizations and pointed out what needed to change to make success for everyone a possibility.
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Co-Founder Angela Bryant shares her experience of VISIONS’ history. |
Co-Founder John Capitman shares his experience of VISIONS’ history. |
Working with the next generation…
In 2003, in collaboration with W.K. Kellogg Foundation, VISIONS began to actively look at how these issues are the same and different for young people, and developed a version of our model geared toward those ages 15 to 30. Our engagement with this age group, including developing a cadre of youth consultants, has allowed us to stay fresh in our thinking and our perspectives and join with youth to continue our work to increase opportunity and equity for all people.
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The Legacy Project onstage after their show.
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Youth can play vital roles in creating positive social change in their communities.
Since 2003, VISIONS has been cultivating the voices and leadership potential of young people through our Youth Empowerment Workshops and The Legacy Project.
Since 2003, VISIONS has been cultivating the voices and leadership potential of young people through our Youth Empowerment Workshops and The Legacy Project.