Brazil Center at a Glance

Brazil Center knows that our strength lies not only in the words we stand by, but most importantly through the actions of our initiatives. Back in 2000, our Non-Profit realized that by working together we could overcome our challenges much more efficiently, and that is why we ultimately decided to launch Brazil Center.

 About us

Working Towards a Better Tomorrow

Here at Brazil Center, we see the value in everyone. We want to be a catalyst for positive change, and since our beginnings in 2000, we’ve been driven by the same ideas we initially founded our 501(c)(3) Non-Profit upon: support, empowerment, and progress. Learn more about our mission, our vision, and how we go about making the changes we want to see.​Brazil Center was created in 2004 by Brazilian immigrants Eduardo and Ana Paula MendonçaEduardo and Ana Paula, Brazilian immigrants, co-founded the nonprofit Brazil Center. and BrasilFest ( Brazilian Festival ) has been held free of charge at the Seattle Center since 1999. It is the area’s best-known Brazilian festival.Eduardo was born in Salvador, Bahia,Brazil. Eduardo is a guitarist, percussionist, singer, composer, and director of "Show Brazil!".He traces his heritage to a royal African family called "Mama Beka", meaning “Prophet of the Royal Court".Ana Paula is a Promoter and Co-Founder of Show Brazil Productions, a Seattle area company created in 1995 to promote Brazilian arts and education opportunities in the U.S and Canada.. Ana Paula Mendonça was born in São Paulo, Brazil, and has lived in the United States since 1987, a naturalized US citizen.

Meet Our Team

Board of Directors

Ana Paula Marques Mendonça

Executive Director

Ana Paula  was born in São Paulo, Brazil, and has lived in the United States since 1987. She was Co-Owner of Café Brasil Restaurant in Seattle, and created and supported “Projeto Alegria”, an organization that gives to families in need in Itupeva, São Paulo. Ana Paula is also Promoter and Co-Founder of Show Brazil Productions, a Seattle-area company created in 1995 to promote Brazilian arts and education opportunities in the U.S and Canada. She is co-founder and Executive Director of Brazil Center/ BrasilFest, a nonprofit organization that produces the area’s best-known Brazilian festival, held at the Seattle Center since 1999.

Eduardo Mendonça

CEO/ President

Eduardo was born in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Eduardo is a guitarist, percussionist, singer, composer, and director of "Show Brazil!".He traces his heritage to a royal African family called "Mama Beka", meaning “Prophet of the Royal Court".Eduardo Mendonça has played, composed, and directed various genres of Brazilian popular music in the US, Canada, Nepal and Brazil since 1974.  Eduardo has performed for many notable personalities, including the 14th Dalai Lama, Pope John Paul II, and former South Africa President Nelson Mandela, and he was featured in the PBS American Masters documentary, Paul Simon: Born at the Right Time.

Anderson Penha

Dr. Anderson Penha, hailing from the heart of the Brazilian Amazon in Manaus, is a highly accomplished physician. He has pursued specialized training in anesthesiology, pain medicine, and occupational medicine, showcasing a stellar dedication to the medical field. Since making the United States his professional home in 2015, he has significantly contributed to the healthcare landscape through extensive research, clinical practice, and entrepreneurial ventures.Dr. Penha's passion for Brazilian and Latin American culture is an integral part of his identity. He actively seeks to share the wonders of Brazil by engaging with communities and fostering a deeper appreciation for the diverse cultural tapestry.

Marta Santone

Marta is originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. She has 12 years of experience in event planning and graduated in Digital Marketing and Graphic Design..

Samantha Areliz

Office and Social Media Coordinator

Samantha was born and raised in Washington state. She recieved her bachelors in art history from Western Washington University. She is passionate about bridging community relationships through art and education. In her free time she likes to visit new art exhibitions, travel, and try new restaurants.

Larissa Prates

Larissa was born in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. She has always been interested in strengthening the Brazilian community in Seattle, founding in 2016 the group Pesquisadores e Universitarios Brasileiros em Seattle (PUB Seattle) focused on Brazilian researchers and university students at the University of Washington, where she was pursuing her doctorate. She currently works as a data scientist but continues to contribute to the dissemination of Brazil and its culture.

Jonathan Batista

Jonathan Batista received scholarships to train at the EnglishNational Ballet, Miami City Ballet School, and The Royal BalletSchool.His impressive career includes performances with renownedcompanies such as the English National Ballet, Miami CityBallet, The National Ballet of Canada, Boston Ballet,Cincinnati Ballet, and Oklahoma City Ballet. In 2021, Jonathanjoined the Pacific Northwest Ballet as a Soloist, achieving aswift promotion to Principal Dancer in 2022.

Steven Silverman

Caxambu works tirelessly, constantly, and unselfishly promoting Brazilian arts and culture in the Pacific Northwest, primarily as a musician and capoeirista. Since forming the first Samba-Reggae band in Seattle in the mid-90s he has remained active and involved in the Brazilian community and continues to this day playing for dance classes, music and dance performances, teaching in schools, and helping stage Brazilian cultural events.

Patricia Fox

Planning Committee

Evangivaldo Santana

Evangivaldo was born in the state of Bahia and grew up in the Brotas section of Salvador. He was educated as a Nursing Assistant with a specialty in industrial medicine in Rio de Janeiro. He also graduated from culinary school in Bahia. During his time at the Federal University in Bahia he was involved in Projeto Rondon, a cultural and educational mission into the countryside.

Lindsey Dabek

Lindsey is a shop manager at the Seattle Art Museum. She was a student of Latin American studies at the University of Washington. She sang with Eduardo Mendonca and The MusicWorks Northwest Brazilian Jazz.

Claudia Sá

Claudia was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and now lives in Seattle WA. This music and art lover says Singing and Writing are her passions. She has a bachelor's degree in Library Science - Information Technology, and she is pursuing a second bachelor’s in Computer Science.She says, “Smile is my best friend.”

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*Proudly Serving Seattle community since 2000*

Brazil Center is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization registered in US Copyright © 2021 Brazilcenter, All rights reserved.​