MARKUS D. MANLEY

July 20, 1974 - March 18, 2014

ENTREPRENEUR, INNOVATOR
BELOVED SON, BROTHER, AND FRIEND

Markus was a creative entrepreneur in Long Beach, California. In addition to The Poetry Lab, Markus helped create an art gallery, a tour management company, an event production and consulting firm, and RU Long Beach, a collection of artists that hosted events to bring local artists under one roof.

He was an important part of creating the memorable Lightbulb Mouth Radio Hour show at The Basement Lounge in 2012, curated by Write Bloody Publishing.

Markus worked tirelessly to see the arts thrive. He loved music and food. His laugh was unforgettable. His enthusiasm for life couldn’t be matched. His impact was so great that on the night of his passing one hundred people gathered for a candlelight vigil in Downtown Long Beach, unbelieving that someone of such strength and passion could be taken from us so suddenly.

THE COMMUNITY REMEMBERS

Markus made a tremendous impact on the people around him. He is survived by his mother, Mary Charles, sister, Lauren, and darling nephews, cousins, friends, and the Long Beach tech, artistic, and entrepreneurial communities. Read more at the OC Register.

Markus was a creative entrepreneur who insisted on innovation and community effort. Read more at PressTelegram.

"Though he is currently the owner and Co-Founder of Long Beach’s first co-working space, WE Labs, Markus has made a name for himself as one of the city’s great cultural advocates—someone who believes in fostering collaboration among musicians, writers, videographers, graphic designers and traditional visual artists..."

Listen to Markus’ interview with Alex Exum in 2013 at The Exum Experience Podcast.

Read more about Markus at the LBPost.