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 have been certified a Minority-controlled Nonprofit by the Massachusetts State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Assistance (SOMWBA).
Our Founding Principles
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.
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.
Co-Founder Angela Bryant shares her experience of VISIONS’ history.
Co-Founder John Capitman shares his experience of VISIONS’ history.
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.
Inclusivity
We welcome and embrace differences. We seek to include people and perspectives that might otherwise be excluded or marginalized.
Integrity
We are trustworthy, honest, and transparent in what we say and what we do.
Connectedness
We strive to create community in our work and conduct ourselves with empathy where we seek to understand and accept others.
Diversity
We acknowledge and recognize the unique perspectives, lived experiences, and beliefs of those with whom we work and support.
Strategic Plan 2020-2023
Our Vision for our Organization
We envision a future where VISIONS is known globally for our expertise, skills, and talents, where we: Are viewed as authorities and experts in this work. Are equitable and transparent in all that we do. Operate in a manner that is sustainable, financially successful, and able to invest as needed in critical functions and supports. Ensure continuous excellence of consultants, staff, and board members. Achieve impact at the policy and systems levels through collaboration with policy groups that are primarily focused on advocacy.
Our Vision for our Community
We envision a more equitable world where:
Differences are valued and used for the benefit of all. Where 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.
Goals and Strategies
Evolve our portfolio to meeting community needs and the development of the next generation of DEI leaders by:
- Creating a full, robust menu of VISIONS' offerings
- Expanding our offerings to include a focus on youth, law enforcement and criminal justice
- Becoming a certification and education resource for trainers
Establish an overall and integrated marketing, fundraising, and partnership strategy to enhance and strengthen VISIONS’ reach and impact by:
- Establishing an overall and integrated marketing, fundraising, and partnership strategy to enhance and strengthen VISIONS' reach and impact
- Establishing a fund development strategy
- Developing signature partnerships that advance the work, brand, and impact of VISIONS
- Developing the capacity to advocate and address policy issues as extension of consulting work
Strengthen VISIONS' internal capacity to support, sustain and expand services by:
- Investing in and improving organizational infrastructure and work processes/systems
- Establishing quality improvement capacity to assess and measure the impact of the work
- Further developing and formalizing the learning agenda for VISIONS' consultants
- Developing an organizational culture that recognizes our history and enables our future
Position the Board of Directors to best support and advance the work of VISIONS by:
- Reviewing and updating our board structure
- Updating and clarifying board roles and expectations
- Continuing intentional board development
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.
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.
In Memoriam
Sarah L. Werkman
1966-2023
Sarah Loebs Werkman lived with love, grace, boldness, and wanderlust. Having been surrounded by her family, Sarah died on October 3, 2023, with her great love beside her holding her hand as he has done so for more than 35 years, but never so tenderly as the last 2 years and 8 months after Sarah was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer.
Passionate about cross-cultural communication, multicultural awareness, and universal belonging, Sarah loved traveling and spoke Japanese and Spanish. Sarah was proud to have lived in three countries and traveled through many others. In her first seven years out of college, she lived in seven different cities. In her teaching career, Sarah was known for going the extra mile for students- driving them to school, bringing breakfast, or lending a sympathetic ear.
Sarah built communities and connections wherever she went. She was passionate about creating a sense of belonging for those she worked for and with as well as for her family and friends. Sarah made people feel cared for with unconditional positive regard. She played the French Horn and rowed crew in college. She practiced yoga and loved to read. One of her favorite things to do was to go to her sons’ sports events – as many of them as she could possibly attend.
Sarah was born on May 15, 1966, in Ann Arbor, Michigan and grew up in Columbus, Ohio. In first grade Sarah began her lifelong love affair with Japan. During the summer after her junior year in high school Sarah took her first trip to Japan as an AFS student (many more were to come). After graduating from Upper Arlington High School, Sarah earned a BA in Asian Studies from Williams College, where she met her eventually-to-be husband. Sarah earned a master’s degree in international education from New York University and a master’s degree in School Counseling from Gonzaga University. Throughout a varied career – as a youth minister, teacher, consultant, and counselor – she made an impact in the lives of teenagers, students, and colleagues. Sarah said, as a working mother, she had two full-time jobs. Among her second jobs she especially enjoyed her work at Colby College, and Visions, Inc. Most recently, Sarah was looking to add more purpose to her days (aside from cancer) and took a part-time job at Sweet Monkey Business and volunteered at the Belfast Soup Kitchen and the Waldo County Y – she enjoyed being with people and kept working until two weeks before her death despite the increasing physical challenges cancer presented.
Work gave Sarah an outlet for her passion to bring the world together, but she said her family was her greatest success. Her love, humor, and dedication to her three “boys” gave them confidence and a sense of belonging. She woke up early to help with homework and stayed up late to talk through challenges at work.
Sarah is survived by her husband Russell, sons Isaac and Xander, and their beloved dog, Blue; her parents Stephen and Susan Loebs; her sister Kathryn Loebs Stauss and brother-in-law Frank Stauss; many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She is also survived by extraordinary friends who walked beside her before and through cancer. Some created the Sarah Loebs Fan Club (which provided her much joy and encouragement on a weekly basis), others joined her through her Caring Bridge Community which wrapped her in love and support as she vividly and transparently shared her experience with cancer. Sarah’s care teams at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, the Alfond Cancer Center, and the Sussman House provided expertise and exceptional care. The Dempsey Center and the Advanced Cancer Support Group Sarah joined through the center proved to be invaluable resources and support.
Through the Dempsey Center in Maine, Sarah made a legacy video. It can be found at: https://vimeo.com/631252238/89904423c1.
A memorial and reception are being held on Saturday, November 11 at the First Parish Church in Brunswick, Maine starting at 11:00 am. If you would like to do something in Sarah’s honor, please consider donations in her memory to Thula Thula, a private wildlife reserve in South Africa that Sarah visited in May 2022 ( https://thulathula.com/conservation/) or The Belfast Soup Kitchen (https://www.belfastsoupkitchen.org/).
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ripostafh.com
Tina Tong Yee
19 September 1946 - 14 May 2022
Dr. Tina Tong Yee, age 75, passed away on May 14, 2022 at her home in San Francisco surrounded by her family. She had bravely battled cancer for 3 years. A wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and psychologist, she was a woman of compassion and personal strength. Her home was a loving gathering place for all holiday celebrations and meals for her extended family and friends. An all-time favorite was her special vegetarian "jai" dish, slow cooked in a huge pot.
Tina was born on September 19, 1946 in Honolulu, Hawaii to James and Katy (Wong) Tong, then left for college in San Francisco where she later married her childhood sweetheart Edwin Yee. She received her Ph.D. degree from The Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA in Clinical Psychology. She dedicated her career to ensuring that the San Francisco behavioral health system provided culturally competent services and empowered clients through work opportunities and peer support.
She was a director at the Community Behavioral Health Services in the City and County of San Francisco Department of Public Health, a board member for non-profit organizations, a consultant, and later opened a private practice as a psychologist helping individuals and families.
As an Asian American woman, she understood only too well the racial and gender inequalities existing in our society, and advocated for equality and justice. As a consultant to corporations on diversity and cultural competence, she led seminars, trained and coached staff.
Her passion for seeing the world led her on travels and cruises through six continents with family and friends. Her roots in Hawaii brought her back to the islands at least twice a year.
Tina is survived by her husband Edwin, sons Tyson (Irene), Kuo, Kuan (Samantha), grandchildren Emily, Koby, Justin, Brandon, Miles, and sisters Carolyn and Ginger.
Gerald Gregory Jackson
15 February 1944 - 15 February 2021
Gerald Gregory Jackson, a brilliant psychologist, celebrated scholar, and loving family man passed away on February 15, 2021, at the age of 77.
Born in Harlem, New York City, Gerald was the only child of Charles "Buddy" Jackson and Ruby “Jackie” Harden. From early childhood, Gerald discovered the importance of hard work, the passion for effectuating change in the lives of the marginalized, and the joy of intellectual curiosity. These values would guide him throughout the rest of his life.
Gerald is survived by Ingrid S. Hill, his devoted life partner of four decades, three children, Monique Jackson-Ivy, Melanie Jackson, and Melissa Valle, son-in-law, Lawrence R. Ivy, Jr., and a host of friends.
Renae Gray
April 19, 1951 – January 24, 2017
We mourn the loss of a wonderful member of the VISIONS family, Renae Gray.
Ms. Gray is the former Director of the Boston Women’s Fund. As an educator and community activist, she provided training and consultation on issues of race, class, and gender and is committed to social and economic justice, including eliminating violence against women and empowerment of African-American women.
Jarrow Merenivitch
1 January 1942 - 12 February 2022
Jarrow was a very loyal and fiercely supportive individual for all those in his network. Jarrow’s reach went far and wide; both within Procter & Gamble, and also in other areas where he was present (i.e., his family, his church community, his alma mater – Grambling State University, among others). As many know, Jarrow’s mantra was, “the universe cooperates with a made-up mind.” That is how Jarrow led within his sphere of influence and control. Once Jarrow’s mind was made-up, he persevered in order to realize the goals that he established. He was typically understated in his style, yet very persistent and extremely politically savvy. Rest in Power and in Peace Jarrow… no more pain and suffering, as your spirit is now absent from the body, and present with the Lord.
Arbury Jack Guillebeaux
10 June, 1936 – 28 August, 2021
On August 28, 2021 Arbury Jack Guillebeaux took his "plunge into the sea of light in the world of mysteries"*. He was a singular and stalwart soul dedicated to service. He never said "no" when asked for help by individuals or communities, corporations or institutions. Jack believed wholeheartedly that once individuals and communities relied on God and envisioned the positive changes they wanted to see- anything was possible. His humble, wise, intuitive, funny, grounded and kind countenance had a profound impact on everyone he met. He was well-loved and will be sorely missed.
Watch his “Life as an Interracial Couple in the 1960s” Interview
Martha White-Warren
Martha White-Warren, VISIONS' beloved board member, passed away on March 31, 2021.
Martha has been a VISIONS Board member since January 2018; after being involved in the work for decades. Martha was a champion of DEI all of her life, but it was even more apparent as she started efforts for Procter and Gamble in New Orleans that spread across the entire company. By word of mouth individuals heard about her special New Orleans sessions and wanted to not only attend but be in the warmth of what she was doing to change the company. She represented truly what the word Champion meant when it came to DEI. Working in the corporate sector at the time, her willingness to trust a woman of color-run non-profit like VISIONS was especially meaningful. She was a compassionate yet thoughtful big picture thinker, always positive and uplifting. Even as time became a precious commodity for her, she still had time for all the things that were important to her, family, friends and VISIONS. She will be sorely missed.
Farzaneh Guillebeaux
1942-2022
On the morning of May 12, 2022, Farzaneh Rabbani Guillebeaux (our beloved Fafar) “hastened from the mortal world of dust to the realm of everlasting glory”* Her life was truly international in scope, and as she was well-loved by so many the news of her death has circled the globe. Her friends and family both grieve the loss of her powerful presence and celebrate her extraordinary life.
Fafar was a strong, stalwart, and loving wife to Jack Guillebeaux. She was daughter to Hujjat’u’lláh and Sayyareh Rabbání, sister to Fariborz Rabbání (Farrokh), mother to Audrey Corder (Lee), Minou Rysiew (Robert), and Hawmi Guillebeaux; grandmother to Louis Corder and Joshua Rysiew. She was a teacher to countless individuals and a wise and compassionate friend to many more.
Born in Tehran, Iran she was a fifth generation Bahá’í through the lineage of the distinguished Samandari family. Always bright, curious, and deeply intelligent, her parents recognized her capacity, especially when they left Iran to serve as devout Bahá’í pioneers in Turkey. While in Izmir, she attended the American High School where all classes were held in either English or Turkish and she excelled even while learning two new languages. After 5 years in Turkey the family returned to Iran where Fafar finished high school and was awarded a full scholarship to Warren Wilson College in Asheville, North Carolina. In July of 1963 at the age of 20, she left her family and community in Tehran and courageously leapt into the very different world of North Carolina.
It was in that very year that Fafar met Jack Guillebeaux in the home of Bill and Bunny Tucker who loved them both into an extended family. Jack proposed to Fafar in February 1965. At that time in Asheville, interracial couples could live together but could not legally marry, so the couple traveled to the Bahá’í Temple in Wilmette, Illinois for their wedding, and returned to Asheville to celebrate their union with friends and family. On their twenty-fifth anniversary in 1990, they hosted another, very different reception in Asheville where the media reported the historical significance of their marriage and celebrated that the state laws had progressively changed. https://bit.ly/3w9fBDU
Fafar earned her master’s degree in French Literature in 1967 and taught high school French while living in Asheville. Well educated, always elegant and refined in all things, Fafar was fluent in Farsi, French, Turkish and English. She was also fluent in both the Persian and English cultures and was able to bridge a deeper understanding of each to the other. She had an innate and deep appreciation of beauty and was a consummate and welcoming hostess to all.
Fafar and Jack moved to Smyrna near Atlanta, then to Montgomery, Alabama, and finally to Athens, Georgia. Through her own experiences, which she incorporated into all her learning and teaching, Fafar was magnetized by the work of combining spirituality and practicality in relationships and in 1984 earned a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. The result of this work was a lifetime career as psychotherapist. Her unique ability was grounded in joining the principles of the Bahá’í Faith with tested and effective tools of therapy. So integral to her life was that goal that she served as a gifted therapist to her last day, counseling friends and family naturally and always with her signature authenticity.
Her skills and compassion made her well known and appreciated as a speaker, and she traveled widely to lecture, facilitate groups, lead workshops, and give presentations. She conducted national and international training starting in 1988 that was focused primarily on the areas of overcoming racism and sexism, the empowerment of women, inter-racial/intercultural marriage, communication skills, and conflict resolution. https://youtu.be/JyTr7JW9dcI She was a consultant with VISIONS through which she worked with universities, government departments, and companies including Proctor and Gamble and Innisfree Hotels. Fafar presented papers at such esteemed gatherings as the Sino-American Conference in Beijing (titled Holding up Half the Sky), at the Parliament of Religions, and as the keynote speaker at the Annual Women’s History Week dinner in Seneca Falls, New York. Always keenly aware of the particular challenges that women face, Fafar served on the Bahá’í National Committee on Women for many years.
She often spoke of two special events in her life as a Bahá’í. One was the honor of meeting Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith in 1957 while on pilgrimage with her family to the Bahá’í World Centre. Another was when she and Jack were asked to facilitate training together for the staff at the Bahá’í World Centre, Israel in 1996, 1997 and 1998. She was thrilled to have these opportunities to combine the principles of Bahá’í Faith with her work, which came alive through her innate talents and the power of her own experience.
These rich opportunities combined with the depth of her Faith and her own dedication to authenticity, led her to author Spiritual Transformation: Reclaiming our Birthright, a book that represents her life work. https://www.spiritualtransformationbook.com/
In August 2021 Fafar lost her husband of 58 years, and shortly after experienced a recurrence of cancer. Throughout the last few months of her life, she was characteristically honest, clear thinking, and profoundly loving. She dealt with the process of dying as she did with the process of living, with openness, humor, grace, and curiosity.
Dr. Adelaide W. Simpson
1945-2023
The eldest of five children, Adelaide Olive Winfree was born on April 25, 1945 in Philadelphia, PA, to the late Listervelt S. Winfree, M.D., and Spurgeon Olive Howard Winfree. She was preceded in death by her sister Adrienne.
Adelaide spent her formative years in Philadelphia and graduated from the Philadelphia High School for Girls in 1962. She began her higher education at Wheaton College in Massachusetts, where she earned a B.A. in French in 1966. She went on to attend Bank Street College in New York, receiving her Masters in Education in 1971. Following in her mother’s footsteps as an educator, she taught for several years in Connecticut and Washington, D.C. before moving to the Richmond area to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University, which she completed in 1983.
While pursuing her doctoral studies at Virginia Commonwealth University, she received a trainee award from the National Institutes of Mental Health and a fellowship from the American Psychological Association Minority Fellowship Program. Adelaide was also a grant research associate and associate project director with the Center for Improving Teaching Effectiveness (CITE) for several years.
In 1970, Adelaide married her former husband, Lorenzo Simpson. They were overjoyed to welcome their son, Sean, in 1980. While they both went on to remarry, they remained in touch throughout their lives. After dating for some time, Adelaide married Dennis Winston in 2002, who was by her side for the past thirty years.
Dr. Simpson was a distinguished and highly respected clinical psychologist who worked with individuals and families for 36 years–one of the longest serving African-American clinical psychologists in private practice in the Richmond area. She served as a clinical supervisor and coordinator for Henrico Area Mental Health Services before going into private practice with Medical and Counseling Associates, now Zoe Therapy Services.
An advocate for diversity and social justice, she was a consultant with VISIONS, Inc., and other various organizations on multicultural and team building issues. She did numerous professional presentations on mental health and educational topics, and also published articles on race and gender. She was a graduate of the Leadership Metro Program, and was recognized as one of the top psychologists in the Richmond area in 2017. During her career she served as a board member for several organizations, including the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority and the Richmond Psychological Association.
She was active in numerous professional, social, educational and community organizations. Her professional affiliations included The American Psychological Association, the Virginia Psychological Association, the Association of Black Psychologists, and the American Association of Behavior Therapists. Her involvement in social, educational, and community organizations included memberships in the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the Virginia area chapter of Pi Lambda Theta, the Chrysalis Group, and a special professional women’s support group, Solidarity.
Adelaide was a life-long learner, with varied talents and interests. Fluent in both French and Spanish, Adelaide worked as a translator for the US government for a brief time after college. She also enjoyed dancing, and was an understudy for a professional dance company in Washington, D.C. from 1969-71. After moving to Connecticut, she continued to pursue this passion by traveling to New York to study modern dance with the renowned Alvin Ailey Dance Company between 1971 and 1975, and later performed with the Virginia Commonwealth University dance company in Richmond.
An adventurous world traveler who loved meeting new people and learning about other cultures, Adelaide even went on an extensive archaeological research expedition to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico in early 1970s. When she wasn’t traveling in her spare time with family or friends, she enjoyed spending time reading, practicing yoga, hosting special meals at her home, or trying a new restaurant in town. Adelaide loved the arts and especially enjoyed accompanying her husband to art events and exhibitions. Her most recent joy was spending time with her granddaughter, Sophia, who affectionately called her “BiBi.”
Adelaide embraced life with “joie de vivre”. She was beautiful inside and out, with an impeccable sense of style, elegance and grace. She was curious, an engaged listener, and witty. With a smile that lit up the room, she was warm and kind with a gentle, yet passionate spirit. Even as her health was in decline, she faced it with courage, strength and dignity. She leaves behind a legacy of love, family, generosity, excellence, and perseverance in the face of challenging circumstances. She will be deeply missed by all who loved and knew her well.
Those left to cherish her memories are her beloved husband of 21 years, Dennis Winston; her son, Dr. Sean Simpson (Felicia), Winston-Salem, NC; stepdaughter Kendra Abeleda (Allan), Hershey, PA; stepson Dennis Winston “DJ”, Hampton, VA; 3 grandchildren, Sophia, AJ and Kaden; and siblings David (Douglas), Philadelphia, PA, Listervelt, Jr. (Ruby), Raleigh, NC ; Barbara Price (Raymond); aunts Antoinette Stout, Round Rock, TX; Jeanette Fouche, Verona, NJ; Helen Williams, Dallas, TX; a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews; two sister-in laws, Robinette Poole and Jeanette Mallory, Richmond, VA; former spouse, Dr. Lorenzo Simpson; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Jo Bowens Lewis, Psy.D.
August 27,1943 – July 9, 2014
It is with great sadness to announce the life transition of our Senior Associate, Sister and Friend.
Dr. Lewis was a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who conducted multicultural psychotherapy and organizational development consulting since 1976. Dr. Lewis supported individuals and groups in creating social justice at four interlocking levels—the personal, interpersonal, institutional and cultural. As the mother of two daughters and two grandchildren, Dr. Lewis had a special interest in the health and empowerment of women and girls.
The Memorial Service was held on Friday, July 18, 2014 in Atlanta, GA.
Read Obituary in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Read Memories & Musings by VISIONS community, colleagues, and clients.
Make Donation to the Jo Bowens Lewis Memorial Scholarship Fund.
VISIONS FY 2022 Annual Report
VISIONS FY 2021 Annual Report
VISIONS FY 2020 Annual Report
