Her Brave Space

Tess Cruz Foley

A Mexican American behavior analyst and social justice advocate who struggled to navigate her own intersectional identity. Her desire to heal from internalized oppression and supremacy beliefs, led her to research best practices in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) from corporate, HR, education, and individual perspectives. And Brave Space was born. Her approach to integrating compassion and science to create mindful, evidence-based learning experiences has made her a sought-after speaker and presenter. The stories you read here are her truth.

PCS 8/1/25 PCS 8/1/25

A Thank You to the Trans Community

This piece is not about the trans right to exist. It’s not about the danger they face every day. It’s not even about the legislation that perpetuates and protects the hate and violence against them.

PCS 10/1/24 PCS 10/1/24

The Biology of Belonging

By Tess Cruz Foley

My dad moved to Chicago from Mexico at age 23, determined to achieve the elusive American Dream. He was willing to work as hard as he possibly could to assimilate to this land of opportunity.

PCS 10/1/24 PCS 10/1/24

Honoring Brynn

By Tess Cruz Foley

I’m staring at the maternity ward ceiling, making a deal with God. The ultrasound tech asked me if I wanted to look at the screen. Nope. He was offering me evidence that my full-term baby girl had no heartbeat.

PCS 7/1/24 PCS 7/1/24

Finding My Brave Space

By Tess Cruz Foley

It’s February 2021. We are holding huge rainbow peace flags at a social justice rally that I helped organize.

PCS 7/1/23 PCS 7/1/23

Advocacy Begins Within

I’ve centered my life around advocacy. I have created a career around advocacy as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Consultant.