Our Board of Directors

Ubirajara G . Almeida
Mestre Acordeon
CAF Founder and President

Ubirajara Almeida grew up in Bahia, Brazil. He is an author, musician and historian. He has published books and recorded numerous musical albums. He is one of the early pioneers of Capoeira in the US and the founder of CAF.

REDO BIO

Laura Margulius / Mestra Papagaio

VICE PRESIDENT/ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Capoeira became a driving force for her after traveling in Brazil and learning about how it served as a tool, and safety net, for marginalized populations. In 1990, she founded Papagaio Promotions, selling capoeira classes, shows, and workshop programs. She helped establish the Capoeira Arts Cafe and Casa de Cultura in Berkeley.
Alexis Dinno / Formada Tremor Mortal

SECRETARY
Alexis Dinno is a social epidemiologist. Her recent work centers advocacy around organizational and state standards for routine demographic representation of individuals with marginalized and historically erased sexual orientations. She is capoeira instructor with Grupo São Salvador.
Jonny Zepeda

TREASURER
Jonny Zepeda is a builder: As a child, he participated and worked in events and festivals held by the Capoeira Arts Foundation and in turn learned about the immense community culture it represents. His passion lies in creating conducive environments that accept and promote community building and the development of third places.

Carol 'Piky' Rivera

She immigrated to El Norte with her mother who risked it all to have a new beginning. A woman of color, a (once) single teen parent, and non-traditional student, she is an advocate and cheerleader for all chingonxs. Today she works as the Coordinator for Student and Parent Support Programs in the Hayward public school system.
Cody Ferreira / Formado Coflo

Cody Ferreira is music and movement artist. Coflo has served as a development director for All The Way Live Foundation, for the last 10 years. Focusing on alternative arts education, events and programming within local communities as well as international diplomacy projects in Nepal, Philippines, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
Danilo Portugal / Professor Macarrão

From Salvador - Bahia, Brazil. Danilo Portugal has taught at Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre in New York City and traveled with the performance company DanceBrazil. In 2007, he was the San Francisco King of Carnival. Professor Macarrão teaches youth and adult capoeira classes
and is the founder of the band Namorados da Lua.
Elverado Bispo De Souza / Mestre Lobão

Elverado Bispo De Souza is from São Paulo, Brazil where he runs his capoeira school, Besouro Mangangá. He’s been a regular visitor to the Bay Area for the last 30 years and is a guiding force at many of CAFs most important events. He is an international representative and
ambassador of Afro-Brazilian arts and our foundation.
Lewis Lease / Mestre Beringela

Lewis Lease is the co-director of United Capoeira Association - Colorado. A musician since childhood, Mestre Beringela was initially drawn to capoeira because of its fusion of Afro-Brazilian percussion and melodies with martial arts, dance and acrobatic movement.
Maria Amabilis de Souza

Maria ia pioneer of the local Samba and Afro-Brazilian dance community. She founded Aquarela in 1986, promoting Brazilian culture and Carnaval throughout the Bay Area. She continues to teach samba and is a revered elder inspiring us to action.