It’s safe to say that the presence of Markus Manley can still be felt—and may always be felt—throughout Long Beach and particularly at WE Labs, as it continues to grow without him. As with the memories of all Long Beachers who have passed on but have left their fingerprints on the LBC, the denizens of this city make sure that the memory stays alive in any way it can. For the The Public Access Digital Network (PADNET)—Long Beach’s local television network and nonprofit that helps citizens learn the ropes of reporting on news and creating media—that means expanding in his honor at WE Labs with a brand new satellite location that will open in downtown this Saturday.

Dubbed the Markus D. Manley Satellite, the new location will have a DSLR field camera kit, an editing suite, as well as lighting and audio gear for PADNET members to check out and use. Given PADNET’s current location near Spring and Long Beach Blvd., the new satellite location will be a warm welcome for downtowners needing to get their media on or inspire their inner journalist.

“WE Labs is a perfect fit for a PADNET satellite location as both organizations are committed to helping people manifest their creative visions,” Lisa Mastramico, PADNET’s Director, said. “Markus was an amazing force in the Long Beach community and Saturday we will celebrate this collaboration that he helped to spearhead.

The satellite also tangibly brings together Markus’s vision of having a collaborative creative center in Long Beach, where artists and business folk, creators and doers have a space to interact and innovate.

Stakeholders in the Markus D. Manley Satellite are PADNET, Long Beach Community Action Partnership, WE Labs, and East Village Arts District.

Saturday, June 14 from 7-10pm, community residents, supporters of PADNET and WE Labs, and friends of Manley are invited to attend a launch party at WE Labs to celebrate the work Manley continues to influence, even after his death, and the partnership between two creative community organizations.