COMMUNITY WORK

The work beside the work.

Fifteen years building rooms and neighborhoods across four states — before The Space or Beacon existed. Houston's East End is home base now.

Begin the story

Community work has never felt separate from the rest of my life. It is where I learned to listen across differences, work inside imperfect systems, and stay with a problem long enough for people to trust the process.

Boards: 12 boards served
Reach: 4 states
Represented: 80,000+ residents

IN COMMUNITY

The work, in the room and on the ground.

Community work has taken different forms over the years. The constant is showing up beside other people.

Three East End Market organizers standing in front of the market sign — At the East End Market in Ward 7.

Community members talking among garden beds and a greenhouse — Working alongside a community garden.

Manny speaking onstage beside a laptop and microphone — Speaking at a community technology gathering.

Alaska Human Rights Commission name badge on Manny's suit jacket — Serving with the Alaska Human Rights Commission.

Manny speaking during an online Gresham Hills neighborhood meeting — Neighborhood organizing continued online.

Manny smiling beside a young student in a classroom — Youth mentorship in practice.

Neighbors holding signs during a public park advocacy meeting — Public advocacy at Intrenchment Creek Park.

Five community volunteers standing together at a neighborhood garden — Community volunteers at a neighborhood garden.

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THREADS

The ongoing experiments.

Some community work has a board seat. Some of it has a speaker and a Thursday evening.

Gather & Groove

Community experiment · Houston

Creating spaces around Houston for people to connect. Runs as a weekly incubator through fall and spring — a soft landing on Thursdays, after a hard week's work, before people head out for the night.

Moon circles & sound baths

Wellness facilitation

Monthly resets that tie directly into The Space's Moon room — sound, stillness, and shared quiet.

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TEDxThirdWard Salon 2026

Semi-Finalist

A proposed talk on overcoming adversity and gaining joy through modalities outside of your norm.

CIVIC LIFE

Representation starts with showing up.

Some roles were formal. Others began with a neighborhood problem and the willingness to stay involved.

State of Alaska Human Rights Commission

Human Rights Commissioner · Alaska

Investigated discrimination matters statewide and served within Alaska's civil-rights process.

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Gresham Hills Neighbors Association

President · Atlanta

Led civic advocacy for a neighborhood organization representing roughly 80,000 residents.

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Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

Honorary Commander · Anchorage

Served as a military-civilian partnership liaison, connecting base leadership and the surrounding community.

ACCESS

Build the thing the neighborhood needs.

Food access, early education, and local economic activity are different problems. They all become more workable when people have a place to meet and a structure for acting together.

East End Market

Founder · Washington DC, Ward 7

Created a community marketplace connecting residents with fresh food, local vendors, and neighborhood resources.

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Smart from the Start

Board member · Washington DC

Supported an organization focused on early childhood education and family access.

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AWS HQ2 philanthropy

Philanthropic board member · Washington DC

Helped connect corporate resources with community work around Amazon's second headquarters.

MENTORSHIP

Service also happens one person at a time.

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Mentor · Alaska

Provided one-on-one youth mentorship.

Junior Achievement USA

Volunteer teacher · Alaska and Houston

Taught financial literacy to K–12 students.

US Dream Academy

Mentor · Baltimore

Supported children whose parents were incarcerated.

What community partners say

I have always been impressed with how Manny dives into helping every community he has lived in. He has great enthusiasm and integrity.

— Judy S. — Longtime manager and colleague

Manny impressed me with his calm demeanor, thoughtful leadership style, and deep commitment to the well-being of our community. He is the kind of leader any community would be fortunate to have.

— Wendell C. — Neighborhood leadership partner

Manny is a true community builder, constantly seeking ways to support those around him — professional mentorship, volunteering his time, or simply offering a listening ear. His ability to connect with people from all walks of life and inspire collective action makes him stand out.

— Robin P. — Friend and colleague

He has been heavily involved in every community he's lived in — specifically ensuring those with limited resources have access to high-quality nutrition. Always first to offer a hand or kind word.

— Irwin R. — AWS colleague and mentor

THE DOOR IS OPEN

Come to an evening.

The easiest way into any of this is to just show up once.

The Space Write to Manny