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About Me

My Biography

For over forty years, Dr. Brenda Manuel was involved in education at many levels. She started at L.A. Unified as a student and graduated from Washington High School. She then began her professional career as a middle school teacher’s assistant, then moved on to become a teacher, counselor, dean, and administrator. During her career she served as an Assistant Principal at both the middle and high school levels, as well as a Literacy Coach Coordinator, Elementary Principal, Administrator of Instruction, and a Local District Superintendent.

Before Dr. Manuel retired in 2022, she was Administrator over the Student Empowerment Unit of the Division of Instruction, within the Los Angeles Unified School District. Over ten years ago, she wrote and submitted a proposal to a former Superintendent of L. A. Unified asking him to allow her to create a first-of-its-kind department within the district. Her prior years of experience enabled her to identify a missing component that had gone unaddressed within the system. The district needed a unit that would promote “Student Voice.” He agreed and she opened the Student Empowerment Unit.

The mission of this unit was and is to assist school personnel to better understand that students are individuals who need help in clarifying and establishing the value of education and on how to build student leaders. It also promoted “Student Voice” so that students would feel that their voices were heard, gathered, shared, and acted upon in a meaningful way by District and School Personnel. Under the guidance of Dr. Manuel, students had input on District initiatives, developed as leaders, and were empowered to take action on their own behalf and on the behalf of other students. They were invited to join Community and District forums, panels and focus groups. Student Leaders also wrote resolutions such as “Mentoring On The Clock” and “The Student Bill of Rights” under her leadership and guidance.

Dr. Manuel worked to assure that students sat on advisory councils for the Superintendent and board members, attended forums, conferences, and committee meetings as well as completed projects that provided viable solutions to some of the pressing issues that faced L.A. Unified from the student perspective. Her service to the youth of this community was and is presently the work and mission that brings great joy and fulfillment to this long-time former educator. During her time as The Administrator of the Empowerment Student Unit, she also worked in collaboration with the Parent Unit to provide a variety of workshops and trainings for parents on topics such as vaping, scholarships, parenting, and other topics as requested.

Presently, Dr. Manuel works as a consultant for California Association of African American Superintendents and Administrators. She has also been contracted as an Administrative Coach for Inglewood Unified School District and will be assisting Inglewood Unified School District to activate a Student Board Member position and a County Administrator Student Advisory Board.

Dr. Manuel is a Christian, a member of the Bethany Baptist Bible Church of West Los Angeles, a researcher, professional developer, workshop presenter, curriculum developer, educational consultant, former adjunct professor, Board Member for the Wilders Preparatory Academy Charter School, Inglewood, CA, Legacy Plus Board Co-Chair and a student advocate.

My Achievements

MLK Legacy Board

I am the co chair of the MLK Legacy Board and here is a picture of me with MLK and family

Dr. Brenda Manuel Board Recognition

After the retirement.

Young Men and Women Leadership Conference

Successfully organized the conference.

Life Changer of the year award nomination

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