Fish Out of Water

Kikanza Nuri-Robins helps people to close the gap between what they say they are and what they actually do.  Whether she is in a corporate boardroom, the fireside room of a retreat center, or a convention center auditorium, Kikanza uses her skills and insights to help people and organizations that are in transition – or ought to be.  She shares her observations and recommendations with clarity and candor, while gently encouraging them to face the difficult situations that challenge their skill sets and their values.  She leads people to this growing edge with unswerving focus, an understanding heart, and laughter that rises from the seat of her soul. Since 1978, Kikanza has worked as an organizational development consultant in a variety of settings includ­ing education, health care, criminal justice, and religion, focusing on leadership development, change management, and cultural proficiency. Her clients range from school districts, to university faculty, to government offices and non-profit organizations.  The connecting thread is her passion for working with people who want to making a difference for others.  Kikanza studied at Occidental College, the University of Southern California, and the San Francisco Theological Seminary.  She is the author of many articles and five books, including: Cultural Proficiency and Culturally Proficient Responses to the LGBT Communities. Kikanza lives in Los Angeles where she spends her discretionary time as a textile artist.Lewis Bundy has spent his career working for social justice.  He has been a teacher, an administrator, a community organizer and a desegregation consultant.  As an organization development consultant, he has provided training and technical assistance to a number of educational and non-profit agencies. Beginning his career as a middle school teacher in East Palo Alto, his focus has been on helping teens and young adults develop the skills to become highly functioning citizens, and helping the adults who work with them to respond appropriately to their needs.   Lewis retired from higher education having served as Director of Student Services at Argosy University in Alameda, California and Assistant Vice President for Student Services at Alliant International University, following a long successful tenure as Director of Academic Services at San Jose State University. His experiences also include: Director of Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and oversight of TRIO programs, Program Manager for a School Desegregation Assistance Center at Far West Regional Laboratory, Mental Health Association administration and board member for various community organizations.  Lewis received a BA from Occidental College, MA in Educational Administration from San Francisco State University and pursued additional graduate studies at UCLA. He and his wife live in Oakland, CA, where he is the father of four amazing women and four extraordinary grandchildren.  He spends most of his discretionary time with his family or in his shed, and plays golf whenever, and wherever, he can.

• We Wear the Mask PoemForeword by Terry CrossAcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorsIntroduction1. Who Are the Fish Out of Water?2. What Is Code Switching?3. What Is Cultural Proficiency4. How Fish Out of Water Are Marginalized5. The Consequences of Fitting In6. From Code Switching to Code Sharing7. Self-Monitoring When the Fit Is Not Right8. Mentoring Kids Who Are Fish Out of Water9. Managing Fish Out of Water10. Managing the Environment11. Leaving Well—Knowing When to QuitResourcesReferencesAssessment Tools and Internet ResourcesVideos and Teaching GuidesFish out of Water in LiteratureBook Study GuidelinesAfterword - Jeanne and Gordy

"Fish Out of Water is a great resource for navigating ponds that suffocate the marginalized with dominant norms and values. Linking Cultural Proficiency to decoding an environment provides more tools for code switching, code sharing. and conversations about making students and families feel welcomed, included, and safe in our schools."