Edison Cabrera-Manalo
Edison Cabrera-Manalo is the Head Photographer and Co-Founder of Poemtography. As any creative knows, inspiration is essential to converting one’s passion to any medium. “Poemtography is a part of a partnership between my husband and myself called Cabrera-Manalo LLC. My husband is the head chef of the catering half of the company, Tailored to Taste, and we’ve been in business for around two years now.” Cabrera-Manalo has an undeniable eye for inspirational content, though he admits he didn’t see his photography potential at first. “My husband is my primary source of inspiration. When we first met, he was the one who suggested my being a photographer.” Cabrera-Manalo’s husband, Craig, used innovative thinking to help organize his passion into a profitable business.
The family-sourced drive doesn’t end there, as Cabrera-Manalo’s father is described as the epitome of hard work and dedication. “We are originally from the Philippines, and my dad was the model for doing new things that you are passionate about. I saw how his hard work led to our dreams, how we started out low-income but all went to college. He showed us anything is possible.”
Cabrera-Manalo’s cultural roots are one of the reasons he loves the Columbia area. The diversity and cultural experiences that it is defined by permeates all areas of life, even food. “I love the food here. There were so many options, so many countries represented; we would come here for sushi, or for Vietnamese, or Russian. I think it's important to experience cultures other than your own and Columbia helps us to do just that.”
David Johnson
Director of EXG Nexus Solutions David Johnson is a Washington D.C.- native, who initially studied structural engineering, earning a B.S. from the University of San Diego before pursuing his Masters in Finance and Strategy. Johnson’s firm is a full-service independent registered investment advisory firm focused on financial stewardship, literacy and planning, with offices in Pennsylvania and Columbia. When choosing to expand his offerings in Maryland, Columbia was his clear and final choice. “Columbia is definitely very diverse from demographic and socio-economic standpoints. It is close enough to both the D.C. and Baltimore metro-areas that my reach is optimal.”
Johnson credits the legendary businessman Reginald F. Lewis and tennis champion Arthur Ashe for inspiring his emphasis on hard work, community impact, and trailblazing. “They are two individuals that lived their lives overcoming odds and other people’s biases, winding up on top of their games and landscapes.” Johnson further observed the grassroots nature of Lewis’ career mirrored in the late-businessman’s chess-like investments, taking opportunities and leveraging them into success.
This drive and work ethic is something he attributes to his upbringing. Johnson describes a ‘tenacious fervor’ by which he creates and pursues his goals. “I was raised with quality values and the flexibility to pursue my dreams. My parents reminded me to stop worrying about money. The money will come. Create a plan and take it to the next level with hard work, determination and focus. It will always pay off.” Those are the values that Johnson continues to pass on to his clients.
Clinton Thomas
Clinton Thomas is the Executive Director of Heartlands Senior Living Village located in Ellicott City. While not a full-time resident of Columbia, Thomas’ openness to new ideas and his compassion for all types of people exemplifies the culture our townColumbia is known for. As the reality of COVID-19 in the senior citizen population became the primary concern for Thomas and his coworkers, he recalls the influence of the inspiring men in his life and the interesting journey that led to him caring for some of the most vulnerable among us.
The instinct to help people started at a young age for Thomas and pushed him to pursue his passions in ways that could help others. “My father is my top inspiration, both personal and career-wise. I watched him wake up and go to work every day at Western Maryland Consortium, helping people, re-training them in other marketable skills so they could find work. That was always very inspirational to watch.”
Thomas’s professional journey started in the kitchen, unexpectedly laying the groundwork for his eventual career path. “I started off as a chef in an upscale Italian restaurant for many years, and I loved it. I became the executive chef. The owner, Dr. Tauraso, taught me a lot of business habits that helped me to develop as a professional. Good leadership through teamwork was chief among them.” It was through his culinary experience that Thomas was introduced to the Senior Living industry.
“When I got into assisted living, it was just on the food service side. I learned I could make their day better with the food I prepared for them. I can truly make an impact on their lives every day.” Thomas ultimately became the Executive Director at Heartlands using his interpersonal skills to bring exceptional assistance to the community. He quotes his father’s advice, “You have to control your own path in life, but most importantly, you have to enjoy life and be happy.” That day-to-day emphasis on happiness and controlling his journey through consistent hard work continues to inspire his coworkers and residents through the quarantine.
Thomas remains hopeful. Once we all make it through this challenging time, he plans to revisit the sights we’ve all come to love. “Downtown at the Waterfront, Merriweather, and Historic Ellicott City are all favorites. My family and I live in nearby Frederick County and we like spending most of the time outdoors, walking, skiing, and hiking. When things start to go back to normal, I would love to explore more of Columbia with them.”
Don Broadnax
Don Broadnax is the owner and founder of DNP Home Improvement Company in Jessup, specializing in roofing and guttering. Broadnax describes himself as largely self- taught, having paid close attention to his work experience in order to develop his skill set. This helped to him to eventually start his own business as a contractor. His personal commitment to choosing civility inspires him in all he does. “If you treat people with respect everything else will follow. I try not to worry about the money so much.”
Ethics and fairness make up the foundation of his business, inspiration he gleans from his community at Valley Brook Community Church. His faith is at the center of his daily inspiration. “My family, particularly my wife Jeanie, and my mother in law, enjoy our church family a lot,” says Broadnax. Valley Brook is also where he regularly finds motivation from the men of faith in his life.
“I would consider Pastor Dan Baty as one of my mentors, a person who inspires me. He taught me to be a better man.” The richness of his faith-based interactions only make living in Columbia all the more special for Broadnax, his wife, and their two German Shepherds, De’oge and Ruckus.
“Columbia is so social and open; you can walk paths and trails, walk the dogs, meet people. It's a space to communicate and meet.” The diverse sense of community inspires him to share the benefits of his faith with everyone he interacts with, professional or otherwise.
Broadnax says, “I hope that the attitude toward my business will be in line with the relationship I have with the Lord, being true to your word, doing as you say you will do. That's first and foremost with me; what everything else derives from. I wouldn’t be the person I am without the Lord in my life.”
James Clark Jr.
‘Measure twice, cut once.” is a long-held motto of James Clark, Jr., a father of four, husband, and insurance agent at State Farm Insurance. The Brooklyn, New York native prides himself in applying an observant and practiced approach to his work, providing protection for his community’s people, homes, and valuables. The multicultural appeal and sense of the community of Columbia was a perfect fit for Clark and his family, a direction that he credits his father, the late James Clark Sr., for instilling in him at a young age.
“I vividly remember a conversation we had when I was no more than 6 or 7 years old. He told me that his job as a father was to make sure that I grew up to be better than he was, that when I became a father myself, it would be my job to make sure my sons grew up to be better than me. I have replayed that conversation many times in life when I wanted to give up. It gave me the motivation to keep going.” Though Clark’s father passed in the early 2000’s he considers himself blessed to have had his father as a role model during the 1980’s. This was a time in Brooklyn when statistically young black men weren’t expected to survive. When the time came to start a family of his own, his father’s advice inspired his choice to live in Columbia.
”My wife, Carrie, and I researched and looked everywhere, but ultimately, we ended up agreeing on Columbia.“ His commitment to family and professional excellence is anchored in his personal faith, also inspired by his father. “I have been blessed to have really great spiritual leaders in my life to give me guidance over the years. Bishop William Martin, Bishop Alfred Owens, Pastor Wayne Wyatt, and my current pastor, Dr. David Anderson (Senior Pastor, Bridgeway Community Church), just to name a few.”
The positivity Clark receives from his mentors helps him continue to be a valuable addition to our community, especially in times where insurance and re-assurance are important. “We love living here. The schools, the lifestyle, the attitude of the people here; it is just a great place to live.”
