Illuminating the Role of Identity & Applying Eisler’s Cultural Transformation Theory

When: July 2, 2022 at 10:00 am PT to 1:00 pm PT

Where: Online with Kerubo Abuya

How: RSVP here.

Join the California Institute of Integral Studies on July 2, 2022 for a workshop to explore the role of identity and learn how to apply the African philosophy of personhood, Utu- Ubuntu-Obomwanyabanto Consciousness, and Eisler’s Cultural Transformative Theory for the cultivation of more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and humane cultures through transformative change.

This workshop will enable aspiring and current transformative leaders from any industry and sector to explore the role of identity and learn how to apply the African philosophy of personhood, Utu- Ubuntu-Obomwanyabanto Consciousness, and Eisler’s Cultural Transformative Theory for the cultivation of more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and humane cultures through transformative change. Participants are encouraged to come to the workshop with an idea for a mini project to which they can apply what they learn as a foundation for a transformative change intervention. The project can be from any industry or sector (public or private) to include but not limited to civil society - social justice, human rights, accountability, leadership, and governance, etc - organizational, business, political, religious, cultural, community, family, interpersonal or personal leadership contexts.

About Kerubo Abuya

Kerubo Abuya is an Adjunct Lecturer in the Transformative Leadership Program, CIIS. As a social scientist, educator, consultant, coach, Pan African intersectional Afro-feminist, and activist-scholar-practitioner, she utilizes participatory action research, liberation and emancipatory praxis, complexity and systems theory, critical theory, critical feminism, critical pedagogy, partnership theory, transformative learning, dialogue, public narrative/stories, organizing, and other transformative pedagogies and interventions, to develop or enhance leaders’ capacity to lead transformative social systems change and cultural transformation. Some of her work explores multilayered intersections of complexity, social systems design/analysis/change, values-based leadership, culture, gender, human rights, decoloniality, consciousness, and spirituality.

Abuya earned a PhD in Organizational Systems (Organizational Leadership and Transformation) from Saybrook University. As a social scientist, educator, consultant, coach, intersectional Afro-feminist, and activist-scholar, she utilizes participatory action research/emancipatory praxis, complexity and systems theory, critical theory, critical feminism, critical pedagogy, partnership theory, transformative learning, dialogue, public narrative/stories, organizing, and other transformative pedagogies and interventions, to develop or enhance leaders’ capacity to lead transformative social systems change and cultural transformation. Some of her work explores multilayered intersections of complexity, social systems design/analysis/change, values-based leadership, culture, gender, and human rights.

Kerubo partners with multisectoral leaders - technology, business, governmental, civil society, educational, cultural, religious, political, community, grassroots - to develop or enhance their capacity to lead transformative change, facilitate, and manage, the human side of organizational change. She has presented at various local, regional, international, academic and nonacademic conferences, and volunteered in rural, urban, and grassroots social justice initiatives.

Her articles have been published in: Praxis: Journal of Gender & Cultural Critiques at State University of New York Oneonta’s Department of Africana and Latino Studies; International Journal of Partnership Studies, Feminist Africa (published by the African Gender Institute), and others. She is an editorial member of the Interdisciplinary Journal of Partnership Studies (published by University of Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA Libraries) and was selected to participate in the 2021 International Leadership Association’s, ‘Advancing Research in Women and Leadership Academic Colloquium’ - “From Intent to Action”.

Kerubo’s current writing projects include: a) a book chapter for the Routledge International Handbook for Creative Futures (co-edited by Alfonso Montuori and Gabrielle Donnelly) – a reflective essay from a pedagogical perspective on using self as instrument to co-create a conducive environment for the emergence of transformative learning and change, b) a book based on her dissertation research, c) a book (co-authored with Roselyn Akombe) on Abagusii women’s leadership contributions and the challenges they face in the private and public spheres, and, d) a book on the traditional, spiritual dimension of the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) amongst the Abagusii of Kenya and its impact on social transformation.

Kerubo utilizes humanizing pedagogical frameworks to engage people at the cognitive and affective levels, as well as evoke and enable the operationalization of values embedded in the African philosophies of Ubuntu, Utu (Kiswahili), and Obomwanyabanto (Ekegusii) to inspire evolutionary and revolutionary ways of being in leadership for transformative change through action. She is Kenya-American, a human rights and social justice activist, and grateful mother to an amazing young adult daughter.