Levantamos: The Center for Afro-Brazilian-American Cooperation is a non-profit corporation founded in January 2004 with the vision to affect profound educational, social and economic change in the lives of Afro-descendant populations. In keeping with this vision, Levantamos’ mission is to develop partnerships between Americans and Afro-Brazilians focused on eliminating inequality and provide technical and financial assistance to Afro-Brazilian community-based organizations.
Who We Are
Brazil is most frequently known as the land of samba, sun, and celebration. For decades those in North America have enjoyed Brazil’s music, food, dance, and culture. The Brazil that North Americans have come to love and appreciate is the Brazil that is at its essence Afro-Brazilian: the samba, the capoeira, Candomblé, and feijoada.
How You Can Help
Contributions from individual private donors enable Levantamos to continue to work in partnership with Afro-Brazilians to affect educational, social and economic change in the lives of Afro-descendants in Brazil . We invite you to make a donation that will further this mission. All donations are tax deductible.
Upcoming Events
Mardi Gras Meets Carnival III
Date: November 11, 2016 at 7 p.m.
Location: Navy Memorial
Levantamos’ inaugural fundraiser took place on February 5, 2004 with the theme “Mardi Gras Meets Carnaval.” All of the activities, a capoeira performance, an orixá dance performance, samba, and a Louisiana second line, exhibited the best of what Mardi Gras and Carnaval have to offer and celebrated the ties that bind Brazil and the United States. Learn More
Capoeira Barro Vermelho Event
Date: October 22, 2016
Location: Washington, D.C.
Levantamos is pleased to support Capoeira Barro Vermelho’s 4th Annual Batizado & Troca de Cordoes, which is scheduled for October 22, 2016 in Washington, D.C.
Capoeira, along with samba, has historically been the port of entry for many Americans to discover the culture and dichotomies that are Brazil. Capoeira is a martial art disguised as a dance, that was developed by enslaved Africans in Brazil. The martial art, handed down over centuries, was formalized as a sport in the early 20th century in Bahia, Brazil. In 2014 UNESCO recognized capoeira as an “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.” It is Levantamos’ intention in 2016 to bring capoeira to the under-served populations of the District of Columbia.
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Our mission and outreach efforts are funded by your donations. We greatly appreciate anything you can offer.
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