BALTIMORE, MD. (Monday, February 13, 2023) - Mayor Brandon M. Scott appointed Cirilo R. Manego III, J.D. to serve as the new Director of the Mayor's Office of Communications. Mr. Manego will assume the position effective Tuesday, February 21, 2023.

In this role, Mr. Manego will be responsible for overseeing the Office of Communications staff and implementing comprehensive messaging strategies that effectively communicate the city's vision, initiatives, and goals to residents, stakeholders, and the media.

"Mr. Manego has a proven track record of success in developing culturally competent communication strategies for political, electoral, and advocacy initiatives," stated Mayor Scott. "He is highly equipped to enhance the visibility of Baltimore's equity initiatives and bring much-needed attention to the city's efforts to improve the lives of its residents and communities."

Previously, Mr. Manego served as the Chief Innovation Officer for Black With No Chaser (BWNC), a multimedia and digital communications consultancy company, where he was responsible for strategic partnerships, communications, company culture, and driving brand innovation. His work at BWNC culminated in partnering with Participant Media on Descendant and Lowndes County films to tell the stories of African-American history. In that key role, he worked with company stakeholders to devise a robust digital communications strategy centered on authentic, culturally relevant, intersectional, and community-based content. Accordingly, BWNC now reaches millions of people each month.

Under his leadership at BWNC, Mr. Manego's successes also include:

• Developing and implementing communication strategies on gun violence prevention issues for the Community Justice Action Fund.

• Crafting messaging materials for the Peoples' Advocacy Institute and their violence interruption organization, "Strong Arms of Jxn."
• Joining the "Mississippi Prison Reform Coalition" in partnership with Roc Nation and Until Freedom, which led to the shutdown of the inhumane and unsafe Parchman Unit 29.
• Raising awareness regarding the 2022 Mississippi Water Crisis.
• Convening Members of Congress to advocate for ending digital redlining in communities of color.
• Only Black news/media company credentialed for the 2018 Democratic Presidential debate at Tyler Perry Studios.
• Member of the press pool for the White House on African American engagement.
• Establishing partnerships with Black content creators to raise awareness on Black men's mental health.
• Proactively engaging with Fortune 500 companies to challenge and eliminate discriminatory practices against Black customers.
• Building partnerships with prominent companies such as HBO, Netflix, Showtime, Amazon Prime, and Bounce TV.
• Creating the BWNC HBCU internship program to cultivate the next generation of talented creatives.
• Guiding BWNC to achieve a spot in Spotify's Top 25 with its hit show "Watch Dem Thrones."
• Gaining global recognition for commentary regarding the January 6, 2021 insurrection.
• Serving as a member of the "Black Mama Bail Out" initiative.

Additionally, Mr. Manego served as the National Campaign Director for Registration Nation (RN), playing a critical role in shaping its campaign strategy and driving its community engagement efforts. Under his leadership, RN was able to reach and mobilize more than 300,000 voters across Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Florida, placing special emphasis on populations such as returning citizens, Gen Z, immigrant communities, first-time voters, and HBCU students.

Mr. Manego spent nearly three years as a Senior Campaign Associate at The Hub Project, where he played a crucial role in building one of the most influential nonprofits in progressive politics. During his tenure, he made significant contributions to diversity and equity initiatives, including participating in two national bus tours that helped preserve the Affordable Care Act and protect health care for millions of Americans. He also designed and implemented a comprehensive HBCU engagement plan on health care issues, trained more than 200 volunteers for the Tax March, and led the formation of an economic justice coalition. Furthermore, he created the #PayBlackWomen hashtag (which trended nationally), diversified the internship program, established a legal internship program, advocated for health care at Florida's state capitol, and played a key role in flipping the House to blue in 2018 through his leadership of a community engagement team. Prior to his departure, he was instrumental in flipping the Senate in 2019 through his community engagement efforts.

He also served as a Fellow for the National Urban League Washington Bureau where he focused on civil rights and criminal justice transformation issues, and on the Democratic House Committee on Homeland Security in 2016.

"As a polished communicator and bridge builder, Cirilo will be highly effective in connecting Mayor Scott's agenda to the City of Baltimore in the spirit of equity and transparency," said Vincent Evans, Executive Director of the Congressional Black Caucus.

"When I think of a dynamic leader, Cirilo is one of the first people who comes to mind. From his time serving in Congress to becoming a progressive strategist, he has built a first-class reputation that stands on its own," said Hope Goins, Minority Staff Director of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security. "There is no doubt the Mayor's Office of Communications has appointed a proven leader."

"Cirilo is a man who understands that we can never become so adjusted to injustice that we lose sight of boldly thinking about a better future for our communities. In this new role as Communication Director for the City of Baltimore, he'll take that spirit with him, which will be illustrated through his innovative leadership and ability to effectuate change," said Christopher Cox, Chief of Staff, to Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke [NY-09]."

"Mayor Scott's vision for a more equitable, transparent, and informative government is one that inspires me, and I am eager to do my part in bringing his vision to life." Manego said. "This is a pivotal moment in Baltimore's history, and I am honored to ensure that all communication efforts are cohesive, effective, and consistent with his overall vision."

Mr. Manego graduated with honors from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Allied Health and Sciences, played Division-I AA baseball, and chartered the Collegiate 100, a branch of the 100 Black Men of America. Mr. Manego earned a Juris Doctorate from Mississippi College School of Law. There, he served as the president of the R. Jess Brown Chapter of the Black Law Student Association and was recognized as the Chapter President of the Year for the Southern Region. He is the proud owner of a miniature schnauzer named J.B., which is a nod to his favorite witness, James Baldwin. In his free time, he enjoys spending time on the golf course and relaxing at his home in Federal Hill.