Hello ABADA-Capoeira,
I’ll get straight to the point. Many organizations need support right now, and it can be overwhelming to decide where your contribution will have the greatest impact. At the same time, we’re witnessing a decline of the cultural spaces and creative practices that define us including the federal defunding of ABADÁ-Capoeira San Francisco (ACSF). That’s why I want to discuss why capoeira and our community truly matters.
Capoeira has always been a way to envision a future that is better than the present. Born from oppression, it teaches us to transform adversity through movement, music, resilience, and joy. It reminds us that even what feels immovable can change, and what seems broken can be reconstructed.
Mestra Márcia Cigarra and I founded ABADÁ-Capoeira San Francisco with the conviction that capoeira could serve as a cornerstone for an inclusive community in this city: a place where people of all ages and backgrounds can gain strength, skills, confidence, and connections. For over three decades, our programs have provided a vital space for artistic expression and cross-cultural understanding in San Francisco’s Mission District and beyond.
We remain committed to providing accessible classes, youth scholarships, and community-centered programming. However, doing this work in San Francisco is challenging, and our future depends on the collective support of those who value what our organization brings to this city.
A gift to ACSF is more than just a donation; it is an investment in cultural resilience and a vote for a future where creativity, community, and joy remain accessible to all.
Please give generously. We cannot continue without you.
With gratitude and axé,
Jennifer Walsh “Professora Sereia”
Executive Director