Ashley Bland Manlove was born and raised in urban Kansas City, MO. Although raised in a 2-parent home, one of my major and most consistent influences was being in the presence of strong women, particularly my grandmother, former Senator Mary Groves Bland. I was her running buddy; always at grandmother’s side; learning how to interact with people and serve the community.
Since my youth, summer months were spent working actively in voter registration drives, knocking on doors, encouraging adults to vote, and various election activities. This was integral to learning how to become effectively engaged in my community.
Upon graduation from St. Teresa’s High School, I attended Philander Smith College, an HBCU in Little Rock, Arkansas. My eyes were opened to the focus and dedication needed to reach your goals. In the process of evaluating and assessing my future, I returned home to Kansas City. My father and church home, St. James UMC, introduced me to a love of accounting and I began working for the CPA firm Welch & Associates LLC.
2010 saw my acceptance into the Army National Guard as an Intelligence Analyst; scoring in the top 20 percentile on the military entrance exam. While in the Army National Guard, I was awarded the Army Achievement Medal for outstanding service as an Intelligence Analyst. The Army National Guard allowed me an opportunity to assist in recruiting high school students; listening to their concerns about their future, causing me concern about their educational preparedness. Working with students and regularly working in crisis situations fueled my sense of obligation to do more for my community, city, and state.
Having earned an Associate Degree from Penn Valley Community College in Liberal Arts, I am currently working towards a degree in Accounting.
I am excited to serve the residents of the 26th district with strong leadership and a listening ear as demonstrated by Rep. Gail McCann Beatty. I stand ready to serve and engage in the hard work of addressing the critical issues that are creating crises in this community. Specifically, the criminal justice system, as it affects people of color, a priority focus on the education of young people in the urban core with an eye on the formulas for funding, and universal childcare. I humbly ask for your support and your vote to allow me to serve you
