Board Members
​Our Board of Directors is composed of dedicated individuals who are passionate about our mission to promote and preserve Afro-Brazilian cultural arts. Their diverse backgrounds and expertise guide our nonprofit organization, ensuring that we stay true to our values while expanding our reach and impact. Through their leadership, we continue to provide accessible programs that enrich the community and foster cultural exchange.
Jessica River
“MESTRA ÎNDIA“
Director
Mestra Índia began her dance training when she was 7 years and in 1995 began her training within Capoeira and Samba. In 1999, she moved to Berkeley, California, to study under Mestre Acordeon, Mestre Rã, and Mestra Suelly at the United Capoeira Association Berkeley Arts school of Capoeira. Returning to Miami in 2004, she began teaching and founded Miami Capoeira Sol e Lua in 2009, a studio dedicated to Capoeira and Afro-Brazilian cultural arts. In addition to Capoeira, she teaches Maculele, Samba, and Mat Pilates, and has over 20 years of experience as a personal trainer with expertise in therapeutic movement and acupressure massage. She takes great joy in choreographing performances and presentations for a variety of venues that have highlighted Capoeira as well as dance. In 2022 Mestra India had the honor of receiving the esteemed graduation to Master level from her teachers Mestre Acordeon, Mestre Râ, and Mestra Suelly. She holds a bachelor in Fine Arts degree with a minor in Art History from Florida International University. Her dedication to Capoeira, dance, movement, art, and history have led to a lifetime of creativity and teaching to students of all ages.
Joseph Shaman Greenfield
“PROFFESSOR TUBARÃO”“
Treasurer
Professor Tubarão has been immersed in the art of Capoeira since early childhood, beginning his official training at the age of 5 under Mestre Rã in Berkeley, California. His journey with Capoeira continued in 2004 when he trained under Mestra Índia in Miami, Florida. In addition to Capoeira, Professor Tubarão is a professional musician with a focus in percussion and song writing of several genres. He holds a Bachelors in Fine Arts with a focus in functional ceramics and a minor in Music with a focus in Brazilian Percussion. This combined focus led him to make instruments using a variety of mediums such as rope, metal, animal hide, and ceramics, creating forms such as flutes, percussive and stringed instruments that are inspired by the cultures that have influenced his life. He has been teaching at Miami Capoeira Sol e Lua Studio for 12 years and founded Miami Art Center in 2018 an art studio/gallery dedicated to artistic training in a variety of mediums. Professor Tubarão has performed Capoeira and percussion throughout the United States.
David Morgan
“MESTRE GAIVOTA “
Board Member
Mestre Gaivota, David Morgan, has been teaching and practicing martial arts for over 30 years. Starting with Taekwondo as a child, he later trained in Shotokan and Enshin karate, competing in several bare-knuckle tournaments as a Black Belt. In 1999, he was introduced to Capoeira in Bahia and began teaching at the NJ Capoeira Arts Center in 2003. He founded the Afro Brazilian Cultural Center of New Jersey in 2006, where he develops the curriculum for the Center and various after-school programs. He also teaches Afro-Brazilian arts and Capoeira at Montclair State University, Rutgers, and William Paterson University. He is an advent supporter to sharing and promoting Afro Brazilian arts in New Jersey and Miami.