Manuel Enriquez

Manuel Enriquez’s parents emigrated from Mexico. As a first generation San Diegan, he is the first in his family to graduate from a four-year University. Manuel attended San Diego State University where he earned bachelor’s degrees in Chicana/o Studies and Sociology, and minored in French. He was apolitical until his third year at SDSU where his Chicano/studies courses opened his eyes as it relates to critical consciousness and self-identity. At that time, he joined the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano/a de Aztlán (M.E.Ch.A.), and Association of Chicana Activists (A.Ch.A.). Through A.Ch.A., he gained leadership skills by helping members schedule study hours, overseeing the annual Chicana/Latina High School Conference, and coordinating scholarships. By participating in SEJ he hopes to learn additional organizing skills that he can share within his community. In the future he hopes to become an educator and motivate youth to be self-determined with aspirations for a higher education. Manuel enjoys playing the drums, the guitar and soccer.