Dr. Anthony L. Fludd’s commitment to tackling social justice issues of our time led him to join the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP). His involvement with the organization’s advocacy work is a testament to his dedication to service.

He works to support all of the VICPP chapters around the state on issues such as gun violence, racial discrimination, prison reform and health bias.

His current hot-button issue is affordable housing, and he’s drawing upon his experience working with religious organizations to make a difference.

“Many churches have space and land that’s not being utilized,” Fludd said. “That’s why we’re working with churches around the state to build affordable housing in that unused space.”

According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Virginia is facing a critical shortage of affordable and available housing, with a deficit of 183,843 units, 37,164 of which are in the Metro Richmond area. This underscores the urgent need for initiatives like VICPP’s affordable housing projects.

VICPP is partnering with Virginia Housing and Virginia Episcopal Real Estate Partners to leverage faith properties for housing initiatives. Fludd is working to get the word out to congregations about the potential for developing affordable housing in unused church spaces.

“One of my colleagues in Memphis has been successful with this,” Fludd said. “Because churches are nonprofit organizations, they can work with state and federal agencies for funding opportunities.”

Meet the social reform-minded pastor working for change as board chair for Virginia’s largest advocacy group and this week’s Personality:

Volunteer position: Board chair for the Virginia Interfaith Center; executive officer of the Church of God in Christ VA 2nd Jurisdiction’s Pastors and Elders Council in Newport News.

Occupation: Assistant pastor of St. Johns Church of God in Christ; president and co-founder of the Covenant Care and Ministerial Outreach organization.

Date and place of birth: Feb. 16 in South Carolina.

Where I live now: Williamsburg.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in health/hospital administration from Ithaca College; master’s in professional studies in health care administration from Long Island University; and doctorate of ministry from the Graduate Theological Foundation in Indiana.

Family: Wife, Robin, three daughters, sons in love and nine grandchildren.

Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP) is: Anon-partisan coalition of 25,000 members, which includes 750 houses of worship, 1,000 clergy of all faiths, and people of goodwill, many partners and affiliate organizations, most of the judicatory leaders in the state and activists in every House and Senate district in Virginia, all working for a more just society.

Mission: To engage people of faith and goodwill in advocating economic, racial and social, justice in Virginia’s policies and practices through education, prayer and action.

When and why founded: Founded in 1982, the organization focuses primarily on issues of racial, social and economic justice.

Founders: A group of religious leaders, including The Rev. James Payne founding director, The Rev. Fletcher Lowe, Bishop Walter Sullivan and others began meeting informally to work on human needs public policy.

Location: 1716 E. Franklin St.

Our membership includes: We work with Virginians of all faiths, including people who identify as Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Bahai, humanist, spiritual, not religious and people of goodwill.

Why the work we do stands out: At VICPP, we have a track record of effectiveness. We make real changes in policies by engaging and influencing public policy at the General Assembly.

Our work is currently focused on four areas: health equity, affordable housing, criminal justice reform and support for working families.

Funding: VICPP receives most of its financial support from foundations and individuals who care about our work and religious sources, such as congregations and judicatories. We also host fundraising events.

Partnerships: We work with people in every legislative district in the state. The VICPP has a large 30-member board and a professional team guiding our organization, working with the various denominations.

We connect with faith-based organizations and people who are spiritual or not connected to any religious organization.

I initially got involved with VICPP: Eight years ago and learned a lot about advocacy and capital witnessing. The organization shares resources such as facts and talking points with our supporters to assist them in their advocacy efforts.

When elected board chair: January 2023.

No. 1 goal as board chair: To achieve consensus among our diverse 30-member board, ensuring every voice is heard and fostering a healthy board culture. We have learned that consensus-building leads to decision-making that empowers unity.

Positive impact I have witnessed through working with VICPP: The faith community is deeply concerned about economic and racial inequities in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the VICPP is working to advance systemic changes. 

VICPP living wage certification programs recognize employers who are already paying their workers a living wage. VICPP assists consumers in patronizing businesses that provide living wages. We challenge employers who could raise wages and choose not to do so, by publicizing and promoting an ethical alternative to discourage practices that drive down wages and standards.

Election 2024 and VICPP: 2024 is an important year for Virginia elections. We are asking congregations to commit to having 100% participation in the electoral process.

VICPP and endorsements: As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, the VICPP is prohibited from endorsing candidates for any political office.

Ways we hope to make a difference during this election season: We are encouraging all congregations to pledge to be 100% voting congregations.

You can take the pledge at virginiainterfaithcenter.org You can volunteer to be an election monitor by signing up at protectthevoteva.org. You can join our Souls to the Polls on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 27. Three polling stations will be open and VICPP will be providing fish and chips at food trucks. For more information, email our Civic Engagement Coordinator, Robert Lester – Robert@virginiainterfaithcenter.org.

How readers can contact and get involved with VICPP: Sign up for our weekly newsletter at virginiainterfaithcenter.org.

Upcoming events and details: Sunday, Oct. 27, from 1 to 5 p.m. is Souls to the Polls in Richmond.

How I start the day: With prayer and exercise. 

The three words that best describe me: Prophetic, bold and humble-advocate.

Best late-night snack: Popcorn.

A quote that inspires me: “We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God’s own power. When we learned he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness.”— 2 Peter 1:3

The best thing my parents ever taught me: Decide what you want to be in life and be it.

Person who influenced me the most: Bishop Ithiel Clemmons, the pastor of my childhood.

Book that influenced me the most: “Pedagogy of the Oppressed” by Paul Freire, it shows why true liberation can be elusive and very fragile.

Next goal: As Morrie Schwartz once said, “It’s important to be occupied with and focused on things and issues that are of interest, importance, and concern to you, and to remain passionately involved in them.”

VICPP helps me fulfill this role as an advocate for the voiceless.