In a world in which many are suffering from being alienated fromothers, from Earth and from themselves, Aminata Cairo shows usthat it is not only necessary but possible to weave relations acrossthe dominant differences that keeps us apart, isolated and againstothers. She shows us how it is possible in practice to overcome theseemingly insurmountable divides of race, class and gender; shealso teaches us how to cultivate love within the white walls andlifeless instrumentality of institutions.

Not very often one has the opportunity to learn how to mentor andwork with young people. In Holding Space, Aminata Cairo holdsus to learn how to intertwine our call as educators and mentorswith our personal stories and those from whom we learned to listento that call. In each of the lessons that are shared in this book,we found ourselves while sensing the sacred space that is held forus and for the love-work that is required for that. Aminata Cairoexpands and in doing so she invites us to follow her as a teacher,mentor, storyteller, social activist, and artist... Gran tangi AminataCairo, may this be the path in which many of us converge.

Rosalba Icaza, International Institute of Social Studiesand Rolando Vázquez, University College Roosevelt