We are mourning the terrible loss of our beloved friend and peacemaker, David Cartagena, whose love, mentoring, intelligence & humor changed lives, inspired, and reminded us how the most loving & exceptional person can come from the hardest of circumstances. We love you David!!!

Photo:  David Cartagena and his daughter Jada at Waterfire event for the Institute. (by Rishwanth Jaypaul)

Tentative: Wake Wednesday 4-8 at Bell’s Funeral home on Broad Street Providence.  Funeral this Thursday at 10am at Saint Michael the Archangel on Oxford Street, Providence (next door to our former location.)

I had the honor of meeting David through the IGL; he was at the Global Poverty and Inequality symposium last year, where he spoke beautifully on his past experiences as a gang member, and how he came to be a streetworker at the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence.  Afterwards, he joined our breakout session, where his presence and insightful comments absolutely lit up the group.  I have no doubt that such was the norm with David.  He was an incredible person and an inspiring non-violence worker – and he will be dearly missed.