Meet Manesh Senthilkumar | TextbooksForTomorrow Vice President

We had the good fortune of connecting with Manesh Senthilkumar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Manesh, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
What makes me happy is knowing that something small I did helped someone else learn. Growing up, books were always around me, and I never had to think twice about having what I needed for school. When I realized that many students and incarcerated individuals do not have that same access, it stayed with me. Being able to share books and see them used again for learning gives me a real sense of purpose.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Our work centers on one simple idea: access matters. We collect lightly used textbooks and educational materials and redirect them to students in underdeveloped regions and to incarcerated individuals who want to learn and rebuild their futures. What sets us apart is our focus on reuse and equity. We are not creating something new from scratch. We are taking what already exists and making sure it reaches people who need it most.

I am most proud of how much impact has come from a small, community driven effort. What started as a recognition of wasted resources grew into organized book drives, partnerships, and a growing network of volunteers who believe in the same mission. Getting here was not easy. Building trust, finding storage, coordinating logistics, and asking people to care all came with challenges. We overcame them by staying consistent, listening to feedback, and being willing to learn as we went.

The biggest lesson along the way has been that progress does not require perfection. It requires showing up. I want the world to know that TextbooksForTomorrow is built on empathy, action, and the belief that education should never be a privilege reserved for a few. Even small efforts, when shared, can change lives.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We would start at The Star in Frisco to walk around, check out the Dallas Cowboys facilities, and hang out at the shops and restaurants. It is a great place to feel the energy of the city and spend an afternoon. One night would definitely be dinner at Hutchins BBQ for classic Texas food and a real local experience.

During the week, I would take them to Frisco Square to explore, eat, and relax, and spend time at Stonebriar Centre for shopping and people watching. We would catch a game or event at Riders Field and enjoy the atmosphere. For something outdoors, we would visit Frisco Commons Park or Arbor Hills nearby for a walk and some downtime.

To round out the trip, we would try a few well known local spots, hang out at cafes around town, and just enjoy the community feel that makes Frisco stand out. It is a mix of sports, food, and relaxed places that make the area fun and memorable.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shoutout to our volunteers who consistently show up and support our book drives. They take time out of their own busy lives to sort, collect, and distribute books, often behind the scenes and without recognition. Their commitment is what turns our mission into real impact. Without their effort and generosity, none of this would be possible.

Website: https://textbooksfortomorrow.org/

Instagram: textbooks4tomorrow

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/textbooksfortomorrow/posts/?feedView=all

Image Credits
Irene Sim