About Us
Almiro Aquilino
President
Almiro is a master of Capoeira Regional. In 1983, he received his Mestre certification at the Academia do Bimba- the first recognized Capoeira school in Brazil and the heart of Capoeira Regional- in his hometown of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. He headed the school until 1986 when he was invited to come to the United States to teach Capoeira and related music courses at Portland State University (PSU) in Portland, Oregon. Portland welcomed Almiro and the exciting new art he brought with him. He fell in love with the city, as well, and decided to emigrate, becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1994.
Shortly after his arrival in the summer of 1986, he presented three master classes at local high schools and performed on 15 separate occasions at local community events. Mestre Almiro has also been a participant in the Portland Public Schools Neighborhood Arts Program, sponsored by the Regional Arts and Cultural Commission (RACC) who provide education and cultural enhancement programs to secondary school audiences.
Over the past two decades Mestre Almiro has given or participated in many Capoeira workshops in Portland, Seattle, Tacoma, Eugene, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Vancouver BC. He has also organized cultural exchange trips to Brazil for his students and others interested in observing or taking Capoeira classes in his native city of Salvador, Bahia and learning about Bahian culture and history.
In 2004, Mestre Almiro founded the Bahia Brazil Art Center (formerly the Cultural Awareness Foundation), a non-profit organization, as a means to share Brazilian culture with the citizens of Portland through movement, music and art. Almiro had a greater vision of making an impact on the welfare and education of youth here in Portland and in Salvador, just as he had experienced through educational projects as a youth. He also recognized the need in all communities for intercultural understanding and interaction, particularly in this modern era, as well as providing basic skills and motivation to become "prestativo" (versatile/flexible/capable) and develop oneself as a valuable, contributing, discerning member of society.
As the founder and executive director of the Bahia Brazil Art Center, Almiro continues to provide leadership and hands-on management of the BBAC and its cultural exchange programs designed to bring Brazilian culture and art from the country of his birth to the U.S.Almiro currently teaches Brazilian arts classes related to Capoeira Regional at the Bahia Brazil Art Center. These ongoing classes are open to the general public and include training in martial arts, musical instruments, dance and song.
Valdizia Aquilina
Vice President and Artistic Director
Valdizia is head of BBAC operations in Bahia, Brazil and is the sister of Mestre Almiro. Valdizia had her frist experience with expression through movement at the age of seven. She has since pursued a life of expression through dance. Currently, Valdizia has a degree in dance and choreography, but is pursuing further education in both areas. She has also utilized both practical and theoretical research as well as simple, truthful observations as a means to acquire knowledge about the culture of Bahia and Brazil.
Valdizia's teaching methods are intended to awaken interest in corporeal movement through the symbolism of the Orixas. Her style incorporates a stylized vision through music. The objectives of her classes are to provide training for students ranging from beginner dance levels up to advanced. Her students work their mind, body and spirit.
Today, Valdizia's goals have become a reality through the BBAC. The Brasiba Performance Group, created by Valdizia and administered by Mestre Almiro, has begun to share the culture and traditions of Bahia and Brazil with Portland.
Harriet Vimegnon
Educational Director
Mrs. Vimegnon is a social justice educator that strives for equality and just instructional access for all students. She has served in the public education sector for twenty-eight plus years. As a practicing Principal in the Portland Metro Area, she is currently completing her Doctorate at Lewis and Clark College. She believes that education expands a person’s ability to understand others and their duty as global citizens while increasing personal, social and economic liberty. As Educational Director, she works with the Bahia Brazil Arts Center to support foreign exchange opportunities locally and in Brazil. Her travel experiences and study of Capoeira Regional with Mestre Almiro Dos Santos in the past, has sparked her desire to support the organization.
Justin Levy
Event Coordinator
Justin has a healing practice in Portland, Oregon that has been deeply influenced by Mestre Almiro's work. His healing practice emphasizes the connection between personal healing and familial/ancestral healing. To further that goal, he is committed to learning from and engaging in dialogue with the Afro-Brazilian traditions of candomblé and capoeira, and to be a bridge between our culture and theirs.
Susana Ghossein
Outreach Coordinator
Ms. Talmon Ghossein came from Brazil to pursue her bachelor degree in psychology where she met Mestre Almiro Aquilino.
She worked 25 plus years with children and families from a variety of cultural, race and social economic background.
Ms. Talmon Ghossein has work experience in mental health, behavioral health, child welfare, adoption, foster care system. Through a variety of resources Ms. Talmon Ghossein has obtained mental health, financial, housing and educational help to many families throughout her career.
She is passionate about her culture and feels honored to be part of Bahia Brazil Art Center.
Advisors
Kamau Sidiki
Civil Engineer, Black Studies Scholar, Contra Mestre
Kayla Scrivener— Dance choreographer, theater tech
Michael Callier— lawyer, entrepreneur
Sheila Mattos— Brazilian dance instructor and performer
Brian Davis— drummer for Pink Martini