From the Ashes is a poignant and timely book from renowned social critic and journalist Sarah Jaffe, offering a powerful call to publicly grieve what we’ve lost in order to move toward a more hopeful future. In an era marked by substantial loss—of hopes, dreams, and aspirations—Jaffe argues that we are often denied the space to mourn these collective losses. At such a time, grieving becomes a radical act of defiance.

Through a compelling blend of in-depth reporting and personal memoir, Jaffe shows how public acts of memorialization have evolved into more than just a refusal or a protest. They have become a vital pathway to imagining a better world. When we are able to mourn the lives, homes, and futures that have been taken from us, we prepare ourselves to fight for a transformed, more just future.

At this event, Sarah will be in conversation with local organizers whose campaigns and political experiences are shaped by grief and loss. Stephany Valdez of Stop I-45 and The Caucus's Austin Davis Ruiz will join Sarah for the discussion. Together, they will discuss how mourning can be a powerful force for social change.

Stephany Valdez

Stephany Valdez (she/her/ella) is a multilingual advocate for transportation, water, and language justice. Originally from Laredo, TX, and residing in Houston since 2016, Stephany is a first-generation immigrant from a working-class Mexican family. With a deep commitment to addressing systemic inequities, she uses her experience to advocate for marginalized communities, ensuring Spanish speakers have access to essential services.

As an organizer with StopTxDOT I-45, Stephany plays a central role in opposing the I-45 expansion, advocating for equitable, community-centered transportation solutions. She highlights the disproportionate impact of the North Houston Highway Improvement Project on Black and Brown communities, fighting for public transit options and environmental policies that prioritize sustainability and justice over harmful development.

In addition to her transportation work, Stephany serves as the Water Justice Organizer with the Coalition for Environment, Equity, and Resilience (CEER), where she focuses on flooding, water quality, and affordability. Her work brings together environmental and social justice, emphasizing community-led solutions for resilience.

Austin Davis Ruiz