Our beloved Consulting Minister, Rev. Dr. Kikanza Nuri-Robins, shares her insights and observations with our UUSM congregation on a regular basis, bringing us laughter along with an open heart.And we are not the only ones to benefit from her caring soul. As a compassionate listener and compelling speaker, she is equally likely to be found in a school, a corporate boardroom, a government office, or around her own dinner table, ready to share insights, challenge long-held ideas, and offer guidance.
This year, the California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute chose Kikanza as recipient of their Trailblazer Hall of Fame award. This award singles out and honors individuals who have not only excelled in their own life paths, but also helped others through their leadership and commitment to positive change. The award will be presented on June 13 at the Luxe Hotel in Los Angeles.
In her personal life, Kikanza is an uplifter, an advocate for justice and inclusion of marginalized people, a force for value-based communities, and — perhaps above all — a mentor to women, young and old. To sit at her table is to find the wisdom that comes with the sharing of stories.
Heartfelt congratulations to Kikanza for receiving this award and for having touched so many lives. In her own words, Kikanza “is most effective making a difference, wherever in the world she finds herself, one conversation at a time.”
Congratulations, as well, to UUSM’s Board Vice President, Vilma Ortiz, PhD, whose work in the Sociology Department of UCLA has been honored with the Faculty Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Mentoring.
When Vilma arrived at UCLA 37 years ago, she saw an opportunity to share her own experiences and academic journey with young Latina and Latino students just finding their way into unknown and daunting waters. Like her younger self, these students, had to grapple with the racism, classism, and sexism on campus. She too had come from a disadvantaged Latino community, with little understanding of this alien academic world. She understood the uncertainty and apprehension felt by students with few role models. She believed they needed someone to recognize their talents and abilities, to encourage and mentor them.
From these insights, Vilma built a support system, offering guidance with classes, writing, and research. She built relationships and built confidence in her graduate students. Accepting her award, Vilma stated, “There is much that I love about my job at UCLA. But what I love most is working with graduate students.”
