ATLANTA — Abesi Manyando has done it all with her heart and soul.

Manyando is a successful, multi-talented global celebrity publicist, crisis manager, and brand architect. She runs the international public relations and branding development firm Abesi PR.

Beyond being a CEO, she is also a writer, author, songwriter, and creative in Georgia who steps into her purpose every day.

She is most recognized for managing the brand and PR for Grammy Award-winning entertainer and mogul Future and his Freewishes Foundation. Manyando also worked with the late DMX, Nelly, Lil Baby, the XXXcentation Foundation, and Saweetie’s Icy Baby Foundation.

Manyando fondly recalled working with late hip-hop icon DMX.

“DMX helped me strengthen my relationship with God because he put God first in everything. He taught me humility. Even with all of his success, he was such a humble person.”

Manyando adds that Krayzie Bone of Bone Thugs and Harmony is a client and friend who helped to strengthen her perspective on faith. “He is one of the kindest human beings I’ve met, considering how legendary he is. He is also one of the greatest songwriters in the business.”

Outside of music, Manyando has worked with Senator Jamilah Nasheed, The Bold Exhibit Women’s Museum, Judge Jimmie Edwards and his Innovative Concepts Academy, the George Floyd Family, and several brands close to her heart.

Manyando says that her PR firm is a kaleidoscope of people and personalities in politics, medicine, sports, philanthropy, and business owners just trying to elevate their brands.

“Working with celebrities overshadows the depth of my firm and its services, but all my clients are equally important. It excites me to do PR for them when people are making an impact and helping others because we’re creating change together. I work with the viral dance studio Dancemakers, whose ballet pictures went viral for their representation of Black excellence in ballet. They are trying to change dance and ballet to become more inclusive. They are often overlooked.

Manyando recently started working with Dr. Maxine Owusu and says she is “changing the future of medicine and diversifying it through her children’s book and Stem Kiddos initiative.”

“My clients inspire me, and although they don’t get as much attention as celebrities, I believe they are incredible and deserve equal visibility,” she continued.

Manyando considers herself a creative and humanitarian who is deeply connected to her soul and culture. She is a dedicated yogi and global citizen who travels immensely.

Manyando intersects culture by writing and creating content based on her travels. She enjoys educating the masses about the beauty of Africa and connecting the world to different cultures via her 7thandlotus blog and Instagram page.

When she’s not traveling around the world, Manyando’s daily tasks include building brands and consulting law firms to de-escalate clients’ crises, consulting community leaders, celebrities, and businesses who need brand development, PR, and crisis management.

During her first year in business, Manyando worked with the late Civil Rights attorney and author Eric Vickers, who introduced her to Senator Jamilah Nasheed and Judge Jimmy Edwards.

“I’ve worked with high-profile figures in politics and law who were deeply invested in social change and community at the beginning of my career,” she said. “It taught me that my purpose was deeper than making people famous. Having access to enormous platforms and the media was an opportunity for me to raise awareness, help change the system and change people’s lives.”

Manyando enjoys working with personalities who help elevate marginalized communities and executives shaping our global culture. She works with prominent Atlanta mogul and community leader William Platt, and Tiffany Young, dignitaries in Ghana and Uganda, a luxury real estate brand in Dubai, and a few television shows in Africa and the United States.

Manyando is living her wildest dreams as the CEO of her global PR and Crisis Management firm, Abesi PR. However, her journey to becoming a well-respected PR maven did not happen overnight. It took years of hard work, dedication, and pouring her blood, sweat, and tears into her craft to get her business off the ground and soaring to new heights.

“People on the outside looking in think the PR world is glamorous. However, it is grueling and unpredictable,” she said. “It’s hectic, but it’s what I signed up for, and I’m thankful.”

Manyando avoids getting caught up in the Hollywood lights, music business drama, and politics.

“I strive to remain true to my core. I strive to live a very balanced life. My mental health and enjoyment are important to me,” she continued. “I’m family-oriented, love Yoga, painting, watching soccer, playing tennis and writing. I also enjoy supporting my clients and friends. For me, that’s enough.”

Born in Lusaka, Zambia, Manyando moved with her family to Brooklyn, New York, when she was five. Her late father, Dr. George Manyando, was pursuing his studies in America at the time. She recalls the transition to New York was overwhelming at first.

“Imagine living in a tiny country on the other side of the world that some people don’t know exists and going from that to one of the biggest cities in the world. Processing the difference impacted my mind,” she recalled.

Manyando says what helped her immensely during that time was the school system she was enrolled in and her teachers.

“The school system in New York was creatively driven,” Manyando said. “It was a public school that focused on performing arts and entertainment. My teacher taught me English through music and Whitney Houston songs. My teachers played a pivotal role in shaping my vision throughout my life.”

Manyando says that her grandfather, parents, and teachers shaped her into who she is today. She has a very emphatic spirit.

“I’ve gone through tragedy and immeasurable losses, so I understand the meaning of life,” she said. “I’m kind and loyal, but I’m also intolerant of nonsense, negativity and disrespect. I don’t take anyone or anything for granted. I like to live and enjoy life.”

Manyando attended McKendree University in Illinois, less than two hours outside of the St. Louis area. As a child of immigrants, Manyando says she was only given a few career choices including a doctor, lawyer, engineer, scientist, or business owner.

By her sophomore year, Manyando changed her major from pre-medicine and biology to business management and marketing to be closer to her dreams. “I always knew I wanted to be in communications and entertainment, but I played it as safely as possible,” she laughed.

Manyando intersects her love for writing, education, arts, and inspiration with building brands.

“I enjoy helping people because my parents and grandparents were like that. It’s in my DNA,” she said. “I like taking someone from point A to Z. I like managing brands, helping people navigate culture and media, and educating them based on my experience and education, which is very opposite from the artists and athletes I work with. James Baldwin once said, ‘If I Love you, I have to make you conscious of the things you may not be aware of.’”

In her everyday life as a PR maven, Manyando works with her clients on how to deal with crises, elevate their brands, handle hate/gossip, spin a narrative, and deal with politics.

“Things are political. It is not always based on your talent; it’s about maneuvering relationships in a room and the games being played,” she said. That is why having a team who represents you well is important.”

The adversity Manyando experienced and overcame during her life and career taught her some of her most valuable lessons.

“When trying to start my business, I was recovering from tremendous loss and tragedy. I had a dream that only I could see. I was a struggling writer and worked multiple jobs. A lot of times, I worked for free, just for the experience,” she recalled. I was really broke, but I never gave up.”

Manyando says that although the PR world is “very grueling,” it can be rewarding, and she doesn’t regret her difficult journey.

“You can’t predict your day because sometimes it’s based on the news and media that’s coming out,” Manyando said. “On a day that’s not a crisis, I pitch my clients, trying to see any alignments with different brands, publications, and media. I’m always going hard for my clients, even when they don’t know. I’m always trying to see how I can protect their brand and elevate them.

Manyando says working with George Floyd’s family to spread awareness about his murder while fighting for justice was one of the most significant yet intense projects in her career. She connected well with Floyd’s daughter, Gianna, and empathized with her loss.

Experiencing the family’s pain, the unfairness, and everything that was happening during the pandemic was also “traumatizing” at the same time. At the end of 2021, she visited Africa for five months, focusing on writing and developing her travel series and simply resting while spending quality time with her family.

“Traveling to Ghana, Zambia, and South Africa profoundly changed my perspective of work and capitalism. I learned to live a more balanced life,” she said. “I learned to really enjoy life, comedy, laughter, and dancing. I learned to choose my projects and clients very carefully.”

Manyando calls working with Atlanta hip-hop icon Future and his Free Wishes Foundation for the past nine years a “blessing.”

“I don’t think people realize how big Future is and how much he does for the community and world. He is a philanthropist. The Freewishes Foundation has been around for fourteen years. The foundation does a lot for children, the elders, and for S.T.E.A.M education. When I travel the world and see Future’s impact….I can’t believe I work for him. It’s such a privilege, and it brings so much joy to my family and siblings, especially the ones living in Zambia. Even my grandfather is so impressed and happy. Future’s like the Michael Jackson of hip-hop around the globe. They have murals and graffiti of Future in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and worldwide. I wake up grateful every day for my work, my relationships, and God’s covering over my life. Because there was a time when everything was a dream, and I felt like my struggle and pain would never end,” Manyando said.

Manyando shares that Future’s business manager and mother, Dr. Stephanie “Ms. J” Jester, introduced her to her grief counselor and therapist, which greatly helped her.

Dr. Jester runs Future’s company’s business operation and taught her a lot about the corporate side of the music business.

“I’ve never met someone who could do it all, and Dr. Jester does it all. She is a mogul on her own with more energy than most teenagers. She is knowledgeable and knows how to manage people, manage tours, elevate businesses, and make money in luxury real estate,” Manyando says.

Dr. Jester has an organization called “EmpowHer and Hermovement” where she supports, motivates, and elevates the wellbeing of women. When she introduced me to my therapist, that was life changing.”

The EmpowHer organization is very special to Manyando.

“I feel blessed to have mentorship and guidance,” she said. “It’s crucial to have someone who advocates for you. I’m still blooming and growing.”

Manyando is the author of “Jarvais Po: (The Secret Adventures of a Potato) from The Garden Bunch series. The Amazon best-selling book in inclusive education focuses on the life of a Potato who struggles with bullying and self-value. To purchase the book, click here:

“My book series is centered around self-value, identity, culture and educating people about the world we live in. I am writing to help kids better navigate the world that we’re living in,” she added. “My writing is the joy of my life because of its impact on children and education.

Manyando also discussed her many inspirations.

“Many people do not have opportunities or access, which inspires me to keep going. What also inspires me is making a difference in the world.”

Manyando also offered words of encouragement for anyone chasing their dreams.

“The relationships you build are priceless. Handle your relationships with care and be humble. Keep believing, even if you’re broke through the process. I always tell people that you have to respect your struggle. This glamorous TikTok, Instagram image that people paint is not realistic. If you want something, you need to grind for it and know how to be comfortable in the struggle. Eventually, your dreams will manifest into reality. This I know.”

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