Jessica M. Hawthorne is Vice President of Programs at the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, an organization that works with schools, business, and communities to achieve success through inclusion.  In her role, she designs and facilitates educational programs on diversity, equity, and inclusion for institutions across Virginia.

Jessica first engaged with VCIC as a volunteer for youth one-day forums and as a community facilitator for the Unpacking the Census program. When she joined the staff team in 2012, she specialized in VCIC’s programs for K-12 schools and higher education. She has since delivered over 1,200 programs and events. In Jessica’s current role, she guides the program staff team across all sectors and leads VCIC’s program evaluation efforts.

In the community, Jessica has served on the faculty of the Koinonia School for Race and Justice at Richmond Hill, and she was a member of both the Juvenile Justice Collaborative Youth Violence Prevention Workgroup and the Trauma-Informed Community Network. 

Jessica received her undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia in Religious Studies, concentrating in African Religions and Islam.  She also earned a Master of Theological Studies from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University along with a Certificate in Religious Education.