Today we’d like to introduce you to Elijah Manley.
Hi Elijah, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
It was a calm night on November 4th, 2008. I was a nine years old boy, getting in bed to get rest for school the next day. I was suddenly awakened shortly after 11 p.m. to the loud sound of screaming and commotion in my house. My mother was screaming, and my siblings were doing the same. I crawled out of bed to see what was going on when I saw on the large tv in the adjacent room— Then Senator Barack Obama delivering his victory speech. Then came the fireworks and the pots and pans. The next day, I remember walking to school with my head up. It was the first time I felt empowered or worth the skin that I was in.
At age 11, I started writing letters to elected officials in my community, and they’d often write back. I wasn’t just intrigued by how the political system worked, I wanted to be involved. So, in 2012, I got involved with the Obama re-election campaign, and in 2014, I was one of the youngest fellows on the Charlie Crist for Governor campaign. During that time, I made phone calls, knocked on doors, and even spoke at rallies besides Crist and then-Vice President Joe Biden.
At a young age, I wanted to be more engaged. I started attending school board and county commission meetings in eighth grade. At first, I’d just watch the meetings and follow along. Later, I’d speak on agenda items about issues important to me at the time: the voting age, the environment, schools, homelessness, etc. At times, I was very passionate and sharp around the edges. I could tell that most elected officials didn’t want to hear what I had to say or were thinking “who’s this kid?”
But I was not deterred.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
What many don’t know is that I come from struggle. My family were constantly homeless, sleeping in a car or storage facility, couch surfing, and having to bathe at the beach showers before the sun came up. I went to school everyday as if nothing was happening. Bills were piling up, and I had to do my part at my young age to help my mother. Things weren’t easy for us. We had no money, nowhere to go sometimes, and no one to help us. I watched my mother do everything she could to raise us, and she did well despite everything. She never gave up. There were teachers and school staff who did their part to help when they noticed something off. Throughout all of this, I’d ask: “where is the government? Where are those that claim they’re here for us?” I quickly realized that we were on our own. We had been lucky, but others I knew were not as lucky as our family was. Many of my friends were taken from their family at young ages by the Department of Children & Families or were victims of gun violence and the criminal justice system. I became angry and disappointed in the system. We were young and didn’t choose to live in poverty or in a world of conflict, pain, and suffering. We were just children.
It wasn’t until January of 2017 that I decided to run for public office. I was 18 years old, and it was my senior year of high school. We were watching President Obama’s farewell address in class when Obama said something that stuck with me: “If something needs fixing, then lace up your shoes and do some organizing,” the President implored. “If you’re disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clip board, get some signatures, and run for office yourself.”
Heard, heard. I really heard that. And I did. I announced that same week that I was running for the Broward County School Board in 2018 for an At-large Seat. At first, people didn’t take the campaign serious. I didn’t know what I was doing, I was just taking a chance. A chance I knew was necessary to bring the change I wanted to see in our community. It started with providing opportunity to our country’s most vulnerable— our children. I knew that it wouldn’t be easy and that there would be obstacles along the way. People told me that I was “too young” to run or “not yet mature.” Everything about this was difficult, and I was the underdog. I knocked on over 85,000 doors in 2018 and reached tens of thousands of voters anyways. And lost the race. But 43,009 people cast their ballot for 19-year old me. They took a chance on me, and in return— I will take chances for our children and the vulnerable.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m definitely known everywhere as “Mr. President” or “Governor”, but more seriously — I think people recognize me for my relentless organizing for a better world for our children. It’s really what I do, from advocating for students and young people to my involvement in every aspect of governance on the county and state level. What sets me apart from others is my ambition and clarity at such a young age.
I’m proud of many things. I’m proud that I was able to break barriers and create opportunities for young people here at home and across the country. I’m proud of my family for believing in me and uplifting me. I’m proud to be an uncle to a bunch of young and beautiful nieces and nephews. But most of all, I’m very proud of the people who get up everyday and keep going—even when things get tough and when despair is the only option. Those underdogs who go above and beyond. Those mothers who continue to raise their children despite carrying so much on their backs. And I’m proud of the children, the black kid, the gay kid, the kid who continues to dream and build despite the world throwing every barrier it could find at them.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I have had so many mentors and supporters throughout this process. It’s impossible to name them all, but they were all critical to me getting to where I am today. My grandma Rose, I love her so much. She’s always been a huge part of why I do what I do. My late friend and mentor Silvie Suri-Perez (a.k.a. Luz De La Mar) has been one of the greatest influences on my life to date. She taught me what it meant to be honest and was my biggest cheerleader before her death. I’ve also had huge mentors in high places too. The late and great Congressman Alcee Hastings was a huge influence to me. He served this community for nearly 30 years before returning home earlier this year.
When I was 16 years old, the Congressman invited me to the Capitol in Washington, D.C., for the first time in my life to see the legislative process in action. I still have the cufflinks he gave me. Hastings too was an underdog. And his story has been such an influence to me. Other mentors include our first openly gay Mayor Dean Trantalis, who I’ve known for years, and County Commissioner Dale Holness, who allowed me to intern for his office for three years.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@elijahmanley.com
- Website: www.elijahmanley.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realelijahmanley/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realelijahmanley
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/iElijahManley
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ElijahManley
Image Credits
Elijah Manley (all images)
