Leading with Heart: How Dominic Manshadi Helped Strengthen Community and Connection at Hermosa Beach Pride
Dominic Manshadi at the Hermosa Beach Pride Tower
When you meet Dominic Manshadi, the first thing you notice is his warmth. There’s an ease in the way he listens, a thoughtfulness in how he speaks, and a deep care for the people and places that have shaped him. As Vice President of Operations for Hermosa Beach Pride, Dom has spent the past year helping to grow not just an organization, but a sense of belonging across the South Bay.
“I joined Hermosa Beach Pride because I wanted to find community close to home,” Dom said. “I’d volunteered for West Hollywood Pride and loved it, but it took hours to get there, and it never quite felt personal. I wanted something rooted in where I actually lived — something that reflected this community and could help people here feel seen.”
That desire to connect soon led him to the Hermosa Beach Pride Board, where his natural sense of structure and organization met the heart of a grassroots movement. As VP of Operations, Dom helped lead the organization through its most successful year to date, overseeing a record number of events and helping the organization grow in both visibility and impact.
“Pride doesn’t happen overnight,” he shared. “It takes months of planning, lots of communication, and people who are willing to show up and do the work — again and again. I’ve learned that clear roles, early timelines, and regular check-ins make all the difference. It’s not glamorous work, but it’s what builds the foundation for everything else.”
Dom’s calm presence and collaborative spirit have made him a cornerstone of the HB Pride team. He often talks about leadership as an act of service — not about being in charge, but about empowering others. “Leadership is delegation,” he explained. “It’s trusting your team and knowing that no one can do everything alone. You share tasks, you keep things steady, and you lift each other up. That’s what makes a community thrive.”
Building Belonging
Highlights from Hermosa Beach Pride
When asked what moments stand out most from his time with Pride, Dom doesn’t discuss logistics or numbers. Instead, he talks about connection.
“I think about the queer teens who came to our co-op events — their energy, their passion, how proud they were to be part of something bigger,” he said. “I think about the parents who told us how relieved they were to have a safe space for their kids. Or the people who showed up to an event alone and left with new friends. Those moments stick with you. They remind you that this isn’t just about events; it’s about people finding each other.”
He also remembers a personal shift — one that speaks to the quiet power of Pride.
Pride has also been deeply personal for Dom. When he first moved back to Hermosa Beach, he noticed himself holding back — uncertain of how open he could be in a small, close-knit beach community. “I realized I wasn’t showing up as fully myself,” he reflected. “But through Pride, I found a space where authenticity was welcomed and celebrated. It reminded me how powerful it is to simply show up — as you are — and know you belong.”
Dom’s story is a reminder that visibility can be transformative, not only for others, but for ourselves. “Sometimes, being part of Pride gives you permission to breathe a little deeper,” he said. “To be more open, more connected, more at ease with who you are.”
Lessons in Leadership
Over the past year, Dom has helped streamline the organization’s operations, expand partnerships, and strengthen volunteer engagement, all while keeping kindness and gratitude at the center of it all.
“Volunteers are priceless,” he said. “They’re the heartbeat of Pride. Building a strong volunteer program — where people feel recognized, appreciated, and connected — is essential. It’s not just about asking for help; it’s about creating a space where people want to belong.”
One of his biggest takeaways has been the importance of predictability and communication. “When people know what’s coming, they can plan, they can show up, and they can trust that we’re here,” he explained. “That consistency builds confidence in the organization and deepens our connection with the community.”
He also credits the team’s success to collaboration and shared vision. “Our president brings so many creative ideas, and when the team rallies around those ideas, amazing things happen,” he said. “The best results come when everyone contributes, when creativity meets structure, and structure meets heart.”
Betty Elle (President, South Bay LGBTQ Center) and Dom Manshadi (VP, Hermosa Beach Pride) at Los Angeles LGBTQ Center Roundtable w Al Muratsuchi - Feb 27, 2025
Finding Love, Finding Home
For Dom, Pride isn’t just something he gives to the community, it’s something that’s given back to him in profound ways.
“When I joined the board, I didn’t know many queer people locally,” he said. “I just wanted to be involved, to meet people, to feel connected. Around that same time, I met my partner. It wasn’t through Pride directly, but I truly believe being part of Pride opened that door, it put that energy into the universe.”
He smiled when he shared that story — a small, genuine smile that says everything. “I’d been single for a long time, and suddenly I was surrounded by people who were open, kind, and full of love. I think Pride did that for me. It helped me believe that love could exist close to home.”
Looking Ahead
As Hermosa Beach Pride continues to grow, Dom hopes to see it deepen its role as a year-round anchor for the community — expanding partnerships, supporting youth initiatives, and creating spaces that are welcoming to everyone.
“There’s so much potential here,” he said. “I’d love to see more events for younger people, more volunteer engagement, more visible collaboration across the South Bay. And I want Hermosa Beach Pride to keep being that safe, joyful space where people know they can show up as themselves, connect, and feel seen.”
When asked what he’s learned most from his time with Pride, Dom thoughtfully shared “I’ve learned that belonging starts with showing up. It’s about listening, remembering names, creating consistency, those small things that tell people they matter. And I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about titles or credit. It’s about service, empathy, and love.”
“At the end of the day, that’s what Pride is really about — love. Love for yourself, love for your community, love for the people who show up beside you. That’s what keeps me inspired.”
✨ About Hermosa Beach Pride
Hermosa Beach Pride is a community-based organization dedicated to celebrating diversity, inclusion, and love in the South Bay. Through year-round events, partnerships, and advocacy, HB Pride works to create safe, visible, and joyful spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies to connect and thrive.
