Whether he’s helping children cross the street safely each morning, greeting students by name, or simply offering a familiar and encouraging presence, Mr. Fundi helps create the kind of school community where kids feel known, supported, and connected.
But there’s much more to Mr. Fundi than the friendly face we see each morning! Read our latest Staff Spotlight to get to know this true Renaissance man and learn about the experiences, talents, and passions that make him such a special part of the HMCRA community.
A Renaissance Man
On weekday mornings Adilifu Fundi, 72, transforms 19th and Collingwood streets into his Renaissance intersection. Along with being a welcoming presence, Fundi is an educator, singer, dancer, designer and published author. A Renaissance man.
“I consider myself to be the first line of education for children,” Fundi said. “To let them know, we’re at school now. We’re stepping through the portal.”
In 2018, Fundi wanted a job where he could connect with people each day. He saw an advertisement for crossing guards and school assembly programs. He applied to both and soon began as a crossing guard at Alvarado Elementary School.
The next year he expanded to Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy and also worked as a substitute teacher at both schools.
“School can be traumatizing. I’ve seen that in children and I’ve experienced it myself,” he said. “I want to be a light for children, to represent ways to be an adult.”
Fundi has a lot of experience with school. He began work as a crossing guard during fourth grade in San Diego.
In 1974, he became a program administrator at C.E.B.I.S., the Committee to Establish Black Independent Systems, and was soon also teaching primary math, English, Kiswahili, positive self-concept and arts and crafts, among other things. Next he founded the Ndaba Performance Troupe, an educational program to help children build social skills and reclaim lost cultural heritage.
At the time Fundi was also a student himself, training as a professional singer. He debuted in San Diego Civic Light Opera’s production of Showboat. “That led to me coming out in 1979,” he said. “I joined that wave of community creativity.”
Along with professional acting, he produced Fundi and Company, a nightclub that mixed in theatrical elements. In 1987, he co-founded the People Of Color AIDS Survival Effort, using performance to challenge the response to AIDS and connect people. He became the first Black man to serve as a grand marshal for San Diego’s Pride celebration in 1990.
The next year, a friend moved to San Francisco and convinced Fundi to join him. In the Bay, Fundi continued to perform professionally and use performance to help students, while also working in reprographics. Currently, Fundi is working on a one-man show.
He enjoys working as a crossing guard, getting to know the people who walk by every day and keeping them safe. “To watch children grow up from infants, go to school and then leave to middle school is a fascinating experience to have,” Fundi said. “Developing these deep relationships.”
The Magic of Supportive Adults
Mr. Fundi is a wonderful example of what makes HMCRA special: the caring adults who show up for our students every day.
Your support helps sustain the people, programs, and experiences that make HMCRA a place where every child can feel seen and supported.