The Manual, Atlanta, GA (2026)

09/02/2020

Hi, it’s Jason Lewis. I live and work in the greater Seattle area. I am a Father, Public Servant, Communicator, and Founder of .

The Manual exists for one reason, to elevate BIPOC voices and connect people to meaningful action. Primarily because we live in a culture that seems to glorify and celebrate positive thoughts, empathetic feelings, and loud talk, alone. However, when it comes to action, to the grueling work of social change, the pain of self sacrificial deeds, and the American duty of communal care and advocacy, there is an ever-stretching and eerie silence. We are a platform created in defiance of this new soft altruism, mediocre engagement, and cultural laziness. We do not abide that a person is what they think, feel, or say, but rather what they do. No, we are steeped in the tradition of F***y Lou Hamer, Angela Davis, MLK, James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, Harriet Tubman, and Frederick Douglass.

We are a collective of abolitionists, activists, artists, and human beings oriented to the full liberation, integration, and flourishing of BIPOC people. We, along with the ever growing community of activists in broader culture are going to end racial inequity, systemic racism, and dismantle the structures that uphold these broken trends and forces. If this is your aim as well, I welcome you, but also a word of caution. This is about work. It’s about doing. Its about showing the f**k up. Its going to be hard and you’ll need to be gritty. No one can hold you accountable except yourself. Should you be compelled to aid in the flourishing of BIPOC peoples and communities, willing to do the work, and the heart to stay in the fight, welcome to .

Lastly, I would be remiss to not mention my gang of titanic talents that help bring this to life. I love you all, couldn’t do it without you. #

09/01/2020

The Manual

This project needs you. This country needs you. Black people and POC need you. And we — we need you. So what will you do?
Listen.
Learn.
Act.
Visit us at getthemanual.com

cc: [the 🎥 maestros]
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09/01/2020

For 60+ years John Lewis fought for, supported, resourced, and served BIPOC and disenfranchised groups in America. He did so with his platform, that of a US Congressman, and prior, as an ordinary civilian. Such continuity. Why is it that this same thing cannot be said about almost any other member of Congress? That among those elected to represent us as people, us Americans, us BIPOC human beings, there is not another John Lewis among them.

Its always heavy to hear that another civil rights figure has died, because I’m aware of how arduously they’re made, how uniquely they stand apart, and how rarely the earth can produce them. A person in power, so oriented to the well being of others, that their life becomes marked by service and sacrifice indefinitely. In light of this fact, it is quite troubling to know among our public servants and our elected officials, we are hard pressed to find as committed a heart.

His very existence and political manner is a critique on the bodies of governmental power, the culture of law making, and among his “peers” as a public representative. The “Conscience of Congress” they called him. Yet his declarations for social change, racial equity, LGBTQ rights, working people, the poor, and the sick, were often met with phrases such as “I hear you John, but” or “In a perfect world perhaps” and even “there are other things we have to do first”. But to John, if it was about justice for the people, what could possibly take priority over that? I can hear him saying, is it not unjust to deprive people of healthcare, schooling, labor, and fair law? If in fact it be a matter of justice, in our power to correct, and our duty to do so, then by doing nothing are we not the ones found unjust? For John, not even his own life was worthy of delaying the arrival of these rights.

So when they speak of him now, like they viewed him as an equal, as a treasured member, and an inspiration, this is simply posturing. If he was an inspiration then they too would abide in his work and his will. That of fighting to bring justice to those without, to bring freedom to those ensnared, and love to those hated. He was not their peer, his peers are the old gods of the civil rights era and he honors them by his commitment to Justice, Love, Peace, and Truth. John is the congress’s Father, their Miagi, their North star. He was the Jordan of their league. He showed them how they should be playing the game. As a legitimate servant, too busy at work against injustice, violence, and inequality to consider superfluous matters. Too busy fighting against the degradation of the voice and will of the American people in lieu of corporate interests, and the sequestering of justice in lieu of false peace and social order.

They should realize, that if the worlds archetypes really are that of wolves, sheep, and sheep dogs. Then one of hardest sheepdogs ever to roam this land, one of our valiant and vigilant protectors has died. The wolves lick their chops now, and it’ll be upon us to be heady and unmoved in our efforts to keep one another safe and treated justly, because Im not confident the wolves will not. I do know though, that if his “peers” even beg the question, as to whether they should change, whether they should serve, whether they should fight for us BIPOC people, they’d know what to do… John would. -J.Lewis

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09/01/2020

Jason 8.4.20

It cannot be overstated how much consistency is the biggest necessity in bringing about change. This is a phenomenon present quite obviously in our own lives, whether in raising our children, our relationships, performing well at work, or growing fitter and healthier. It is the penultimate thing needed to accomplish any goal, and it will be the same here with bringing about racial equity and justice.

However, lately when it comes to problems in the broader world and especially in America, we try a tactic which is obviously ineffective and one we would never employ in our own lives. We give it a week or two. What real problem could any of us fix in a nation of 300 million in two weeks. It's almost like we forgot how hard it is to hold a nation together, a people together, how hard it was to get this far, how hard it'll be to get where we are going.

We must be aware that the economic and social forces would kill to keep us moving. Moving from this moment to another, in fact any other. Dominant culture has no concern for how things go, just that they go. To win, they need only keep you busy and distracted. This means we cannot stop or surely they will relegate us to the "Old News" bin never to be seen or heard from again.

Maybe you or other people think someone is coming to save us, when it’s obvious that we are the ones who do the fixing, the saving, the cleaning up. We are the ones who show up for one another. We are our brothers and sisters keepers. So if you heard this and need to get back after it, don't waste a second in shame or guilt. Spend that second wiping the blood off and get back in the arena. The time is at hand and you wont be back this way again.

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09/01/2020

I sat down with my dad Lester Lewis to talk about race, racism, his childhood, and his perspective on America and Black culture. I find my dads perspective insightful as it highlights the social and also cultural differences between Black people of different generations and areas of origin. I hope you like it and share it!

The Manual was created with one goal in mind. To elevate BIPOC voices and then connect people to real action steps and resources. If you leave here with nothing else, I hope you leave with a real connection to these voices, that you would have the inspiration to act, and that you would have the conviction that you are vitally important to the movement. We cannot win alone, it will genuinely take all of us to dismantle systemic racism and racial injustice. So I hope you show up. We could use you. Welcome to The Manual.

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08/31/2020

Meet Lester Lewis, my father. He is pictured here with my granny who is in her late 90’s.

I wanted to get his perspective not only as someone who grew up in one of the hardest cities to grow up in America, but how growing up within an entirely Black community shaped him and his view of race. Steeped in a very traditional and culturally southern upbringing my father has always been a man about respect and integrity. He was a US Naval Corpsman, database administrator, and cyclist. A man who is simple in the best sense of the word. He would just assume be kind to you, assume the best of you, and go out of his way for you. Perpetually silly, crazy sharp minded, and tremendously sensitive. I like to think I share some resemblance.

It’s been hard to watch how this season has worked on my father, as it has broken open some old wounds, and brought to the surface some cyclical fears for him. I’m so grateful he came to share his story in such a humble and warm way. Video is up now, I hope you listen and share it.

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08/31/2020

Ok ok, I know I took a little hiatus and people are already checking to see what’s up. Y’all must have thought I was kidding about black folks needing to rest. got something for that, haha.

In all seriousness, it’s not just me who makes this work. I have an amazing team of people helping me execute this and elevate black voices. However it’s incredibly hard work not just for myself but for the whole team and the people who generously share with us. We are committed to this and while we take breaks to rest, we also do so to build.

Just so you have some insight. We finished our website rough draft. Filmed 4 new interviews. Built a new segment for our platform, got two new written stories, and are scheduling our new interviews and writers not to mention editing all this content, oh yeah and this little thing called social media. This takes a team, a tribe, a community, and for us at The Manual it’s a labor of necessity. If you’re reading this, know that I am glad you’re a part of this community, but it’s about the work.

We are at work, and you should be too. So, to the team, thank you for your collaboration. To my Black people, thank you for your generosity and vulnerability in sharing. To our larger community, you’re our representatives and you make yours and our hearts, minds, and souls known, by the WORK you do. So as usual, I love working to share these stories with you but I hope you love the work even more. It’s is by our deeds we will be known. Much love and peace.!-J.

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@ Seattle, Washington

08/31/2020

I was recently asked what is the psychological perspective required for this work. The work of social change, racial equity, and justice. I want people to understand that we at The Manual are working hard to make it easier to connect, to find yourself in the story, to know what needs to change, and we are very close to launching our full platform. However, its success, and the success of the movement is tied to the actual work we do. There is so much to be distracted by, so much that is difficult, so much in this work that's emotionally and psychologically expensive. I get it, I been Black for a bit now, its not easy. Staying focused and committed is hard, but its really our only play in a world designed to drive commerce and human lives so quickly you can never develop an actual attention span. I hope you can re-center yourself, I hope you find the story again, and when you do, that you give, your maximum f**king effort. Love ya'll, lets go to work! -J.

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07/25/2020

I sat down with Ayo recently to get his take on current events, on his music, on blackness, and America's history. So often we think of ourselves, our culture, the way we do things, as normal. Ayo goes to show that people who aren't socialized in our culture have a different perspective on us Americans, on our culture, and how we handle race. So grateful to the homie for his honest perspective, his humility, and his talent.

The Manual was created with one goal in mind: Elevate BIPOC voices and connect people to real action steps and resources. If you leave here with nothing else, I hope you leave with a real connection to these voices, inspiration to act, and conviction that you are vitally important to the movement. We cannot win alone, it will genuinely take all of us to dismantle systemic racism and racial injustice. So, I hope you show up. Welcome to The Manual.

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07/25/2020

Ayo Artists Session 1

I got some DM’s from people asking where they could see the full piece of Ayo doing what he does. We were gonna hold it for another time, but in times of turmoil, should a society wish to evolve, then you must always let your artists speak. You must always let your artists be heard. So listen, like, and share! Thanks for blessing us with your talent homeboy!

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07/09/2020

We constantly get asked what should one do to bring about change. While we consistently upload resources to our Instagram . I’m including three resources here you can actively engage with to begin doing the work along with these organizations bios. So get after it!

1. Equal Justice Initiative - If you haven’t heard of you absolutely need to engage with this site and organization. It is a deeply comprehensive resource for Black history, the modern issues that BIPOC communities face and the current areas we are struggling to bring racial equity. They are responsible for The Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. They produce unbelievable research in regard to racial injustice, they and are the home of Bryan Stevenson, and most importantly a major force for bringing unjustly sentenced Black people to freedom. Find them here - https://eji.org/

We at The Manual suggest you read their Annual report and donate to the Equal Justice Initiative. This is a major force in the world for Black people, they are financially transparent and produce some of the best results in America for Black People.

2. NAACP Legal Defense Fund - The NAACP Legal Defense Fund is this country’s first and foremost Civil and Human Rights Law Firm. Founded by Thurgood Marshall (first black supreme court justice), the LDF has been instrumental in not only fighting to obtain and retain the rights won throughout our collective history, but also through scholarships empower aspiring legal professionals seeking to become civil rights lawyers and activists. Find them here - https://www.naacpldf.org/

We at The Manual suggest you donate to the Legal Defense Fund as it not only is one of the more powerful bodies in the higher tiers of civil law, but also how it ensures a generational group of active, engaged lawyers fighting for BIPOC rights.

3. Rachel Cargle’s - I’m going to say that the 30 day program by Rachel Elizabeth Cargle is mandatory for all white people who follow The Manual. She has created an unbelievable gift entirely free that gives you a month of practical action and learnings to do and ingest if you wish to “do the work”. To not do this, is to admit to oneself you are genuinely not interested in either understanding Black people, fighting for their equality, and that certainly you have no great concern as to whether or not life becomes better for us. This is a profoundly easy and clear way to prove your claim that . It is composed of such diverse content and steps it truly is a work of art and has been recently updated, so do not skip this chance to learn, to work, and to grow. Lastly, I will say that I do not care that she made it free, if you consume it, pay her. Find it here - https://mailchi.mp/rachelcargle/dothework-course-all-30days?e=%5BUNIQID%5D

Mandatory Disclaimer - To our community here at The Manual. I want to make clear, and especially to our white followers - In many respects, now is a season of consumption for you. Whereby, people in pursuit of their own learning often browse a Black leaders social media, or Black resource take what they want for free, and go about their business. Doing this does not support the leader, the movement, nor Black voices. It does not affirm that you're truly allied to the Black community, but rather, are seeking a way for Black people to again, support the white community with nothing given in return for our work and service.

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07/07/2020

It would seem in the modern era, we have have developed a cancerous pattern of behavior and thought. Specifically around those problems we know we face, and that we know we need to change. It is no more prevalent to me than right now on the matters of Racial Injustice. How disheartening and disillusioning it has been to find that so many are with Black people in spirit, prayer, and thought alone.

I didn’t think it needed saying and saying so often, but it clearly does. YOU, YES YOU READING THIS, ARE ONLY WHAT YOU ACTUALLY DO! You are not what you think, not what you feel, and not what you hope for. You are what you do. The only evidence that exists to examine and refer to, especially in regard to the sincerity and truth of your particular claim that , is the work you do.

I personally want to make clear, that it will not be enough to post Frederick Douglass’s 4th of July speech, like an Instagram post, share a sexy f**king story, and then claim you are an ally, an advocate, or down for the cause. Well let me rephrase, you will get socially rewarded for all these acts and it may make you believe you care, that these simple things is what caring looks like. Thats how social culture works now. You build the appearance of action, of position, of sincerity, but in regard to duty, the evidence of your beliefs and positions, you will find no real works about a persons life. This is a dark weapon of immense power used against all movements of change and that s**t needs to die. Don’t be soft.

For example, imagine I proclaimed my care for starving children in Africa. Imagine I made a post, shared a story, maybe even for a series of weeks I flooded my social media page with this content. Say I even read a book, watched a movie, and listened to a podcast to better understand their sufferings. You might think I cared on the outside looking in. By and large it seems most of American culture would as well. I may even gather a small following online, a series of likes and comments that kept me flush with regular dopamine hits, and an improved image amongst my peers. Let’s be very clear for a minute.

Continued in the comments...

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