Tears are flowing all over the world in memory of Asa. As one of his thousands of friends and students, I sent thoughts and meditations to Ahmes who is like family to Asa.

Words can't express the feelings of the loss, the gratitude of his immense contributions, the wholeness of his spirit, his love of his people, his joy of intellectual work in the pursuit of justice and freedom, his challenges to the education community on behalf of undeserved children, his giving heart when any of his friends was in need, his cutting edge work in culture-centered education for African American people, his understanding of the central place that African history has in the education of his people and all people, his deep deep knowledge of history, and social, political current issues, his hundreds of articles, books and other writings....

The list of his accomplishments and activities goes on and on.

He was especially loved in the community of African American students and scholars who focus on using African-based culture to ground us.

Every group of people have their leaders -their heroes --who are special to the larger world, but whose joy is the deepest when among their own people---experiences together that are understood and felt in a special way ---those cultural bonds that come into play when we all are among family--the things that can be said only when among your cultural family because they feel it and understand from experiences.

Those times are in the memories of so many of us from so many years back.

There will be many many memorials in both African and African American communities in many cities for our dear brother.

Many tears, but I think that along with the tears there will be a renewed determination to continue his work--to push on in the battle to win justice and excellence in the education of our children and in the teaching of adults.

This will be done by many in his name.

He made his transition in Kemet in Africa--the land of our ancestors--the land that he loved --the land where our ancestors laid foundations of history that so many followed-- the ancient history of that land and its deep African roots --the culture that came up from the south.....

Asa is part of that land's history now.

What a poignant reminder to us all to teach the truth to our children!

Lovingly, Augusta Mann