A Message from the CEO & Founder
"The Virginia Hispanic Chamber is vital to all Virginians. This is your organization. Make your voice heard and get involved in Chamber membership, educational programming, or community outreach activities through the Virginia Hispanic Foundation. I encourage you not just to join, but to take an active role."
Connect with us, join us, and grow with us.
- Michel Zajur -
About Michel Zajur
Michel Zajur immigrated to the United States from Mexico at a young age and attended Virginia Commonwealth University. Over the years, he has established various businesses, the most recognized being La Siesta Restaurant, an iconic eatery in Richmond, VA, for over 30 years.
In May 2000, Zajur founded the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (VAHCC) to bridge the Hispanic business community within the Commonwealth of Virginia. In 2003, he established the Virginia Hispanic Foundation to provide education, information, and resources to the Hispanic community.
As the Founder and CEO of both the Virginia Hispanic Chamber and the Virginia Hispanic Foundation, Zajur has played a crucial role in educating Virginia’s community about the state’s changing demographics and creating business opportunities that include and empower the Hispanic population. He actively serves on numerous boards across Virginia, contributing to discussions on leadership, business, diversity, health, and education.
As a highly respected and influential figure, Zajur has served on over 30 nonprofit and community boards, contributing to discussions on leadership, business, diversity, health, and education. His dedication to community advocacy has earned him numerous awards and recognitions; some of these include:
- National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) Humanitarian Award
- Minority Small Business Champion Award – U.S. Small Business Administration
- Global Excellence Award – Virginia International Business Council
- Recognized by Virginia Business Magazine as “One of the 25 People You Need to Know in the State”
- Featured in Boomer Magazine as one of Richmond’s most influential and inspiring people
- Named by the Richmond Times-Dispatch as one of the “30 people who have helped shape the Richmond community”
- Inducted into the Richmond Hall of Fame and named Richmond Times-Dispatch Person of the Year
- Recognized in El Tiempo Latino’s Powermeter 100 as one of the most influential Hispanic leaders in Washington, D.C.
- Recipient of the Ohtli Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Mexican government upon a non-Mexican citizen
- Virginia Union University Legacy Award
Through his lifelong commitment to advocacy, business development, and community engagement, Michel Zajur continues to make a lasting impact on the Hispanic community and beyond.
More about Michel Zajur:
Building bridges and sharing ladders: Hall of Fame inductee Michel Zajur, Person of the Year
People, companies, and projects that have shaped the Richmond Region over the past 30 years
Michel Zajur, featured on Metro Business Times Dispatch
