We had the good fortune of connecting with Dani Da Silva and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dani, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Capoeira Maculele is a local Georgia non-profit organization whose mission is to use capoeira as a vehicle to teach, celebrate cultural diversity and support people in building vibrant communities though the preservation and teaching of Afro-Brazilian Culture. Our academy is located in Downtown Decatur and is a leader in promoting diversity, and inclusion though capoeira. We bring people together by consciously fostering a positive and inclusive environment where we welcome and respect diversity in thinking, heritages, traditions and experiences.

Our team also offers free capoeira, dance and Portuguese programs cater to all ages and operate on-site, at our full time Capoeira academy in Decatur and off-site, largely throughout Atlanta schools.

Capoeira Maculele has taught thousands of students in Atlanta and around the world. More than 500 professionals and volunteers across the US and several cities in Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Luanda Angola, Portugal, and New Zealand make up our family of passionate and committed social change initiators.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
In December 2002, our family moved to Atlanta from Londrina, Parana Brazil after receiving an invitation from Georgia State University to start the first capoeira program at GSU. In 2003, Mestre Fran was hired by Emory University. Here in Atlanta, Mestre Fran and Mestra Sara has orchestrated Capoeira batizados (or graduations) and has performed at numerous cultural festivals in Downtown Decatur, Piedmont Park, Centennial Olympic Park,  Underground Atlanta, Emory University, Georgia State University, Georgia Aquarium, State Farm Arena and many more. He has also taught workshops all over the United States (Emory, Georgia State, UT, Harvard, UGA) Brazil, Europe, Latin America and Asia.

Since 1982, Mestre Fran, Mestra Sara and Capoeira Maculelê have worked to promote an organization that values all dimensions of the human being, including the physical, moral, and spiritual. Mestre Fran and Mestra Sara has focused on awakening the talents of their students, elevating the awareness of society, and encouraging the practice of Capoeira as an art, fight, and a means of social, cultural, and athletic integration. This year, we’re celebrating 20 years of Capoeira Maculele in Atlanta! My parents has taken their passion and shared it with hundreds, maybe thousands, of people all over the world!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Definitely come visit us in Downtown Decatur on Friday nights!

Decatur is a great dinning destination with amazing food for every taste. Every Friday, Capoeira Maculele performs at Decatur Square in the circle known as a “roda” and within it happens the Capoeira game between two players, surrounded by a crowd of other participants who cheer to the sound of live instruments. The capoeira portion of our show on Fridays consists of solo acrobatic numbers as well as a demonstration of how the capoeira game is played in context. Prepare to be ‘wowed’! Afterwards, we would take our best friend to get ice cream at jeni’s!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents!

We are a family of Capoeiristas! Father, Mother and Daughter. My parents founded Capoeira Maculele in 1987 in Londrina, Parana Brazil and after an invitation from Georgia State University my parents and I moved to Atlanta, GA in 2002 to start a capoeira program in Georgia. As Atlanta’s first and largest Capoeira academy, we are the forefront of Capoeira and the Brazilian Culture in the city for the past 20 years. Capoeira is martial arts, movement, fitness, acrobatics, dance, music and much more!

My parents are awarded the rank of ‘Mestre’, a title shared with some of the world’s top practitioners. Francisco da Silva and Sara da Silva are teachers and mentors, and a bridge-builder for our Atlanta community. They also dedicated their lives to teach this beautiful art form, which they made accessible to underserved families, local Latinx, African American, Refugees communities and low income residents in Georgia.

Recent Awards:
2010: Mestre Fran received Honorary Citizenship from the Mayor of Londrina, Parana Brazil
2014: City of Decatur Mayor presented Mestre Fran’s Day
2018: City of Decatur Mayor Presented Mestra Sara Day
2018: City of Pembroke Park’s Mayor dedicated a community garden for Maculele Capoeira
2019: Best Martial Art School in Decatur, GA
2019: Welcoming Business Award in Decatur, GA
2020: Best Martial Art School in Georgia Award
2021: Top Martial Art School in Atlanta Expertise Award
2021: Mestre Fran received Hometown Hero Award
2021: Best Martial Art School in Georgia Award
2022:​​​ Top Martial Art School in Atlanta Expertise Award

Website: https://trycapoiera.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capoeiradecatur/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/71107059/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/capoeiradecatur

Facebook: https://facebook.com/capoeiradecatur

Other: Email: info@capoeiratlanta.com

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.