Manning died Monday from liver cancer at age 60.
He was originally a painter but started writing after he was blinded by a gunshot when he was 23 years old.
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Manning worked for decades to provide theater and arts education to the communities of South Los Angeles and Watts.
He was also the co-founder and artistic director of the Watts Village Theater Company and a former world champion in blind judo.
He was recognized by President Barack Obama just two weeks ago at a White House celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Funeral services for Manning were pending.
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