Hidden Gems: Meet Francisco Da Silva of Capoeira Maculele Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Francisco Da Silva.

Hi Francisco, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Francisco Da Silva, but most people know me as Mestre Fran. My journey with Capoeira began when I was just 10 years old in São Paulo, Brazil. From the very beginning, something about Capoeira captured my heart the sound of the berimbau, the movement, the music, the energy, and most of all, the feeling of being part of something bigger than myself.

As a young boy, I could never have imagined where Capoeira would take me. In 1982, at 18 years old, I moved to Londrina, Paraná, carrying a dream of sharing this beautiful art with my community. Capoeira became much more than something I practiced. It became a way of life and a way for me to connect with people, preserve our culture, and help others discover their own strength.

One of the most meaningful moments in my journey was traveling to Salvador, Bahia, where I had the opportunity to meet and learn from some of the great mestres of Capoeira, including Dona Alice, the widow of Mestre Pastinha, and Mestres Bobó, Caiçara, and Ezequiel. Being around these mestres and experiencing Capoeira in its roots opened my eyes to how much history, wisdom, and soul live inside this art.

When I returned to Londrina, I founded Associação Cultural de Capoeira Maculelê on November 5, 1991. My dream was never simply to teach people how to move or learn martial arts. I wanted to create a place where children could feel welcomed, where families could come together, and where people could learn discipline, respect, confidence, and the beauty of Brazilian culture.

Eventually, that dream brought me to the United States. In 2002, I came to Atlanta, Georgia, with very little idea of how far this journey would go. I began sharing Capoeira wherever I could, and in 2003, I started a Capoeira program at Emory University. Little by little, the community grew.

Over the years, I have been blessed to teach and share Capoeira across the world. But the places I have traveled are not what I remember most. What stays with me are the people- the children who gained confidence, the adults who discovered something new about themselves, the families who became part of our community, and the students who eventually became teachers themselves.

After more than 50 years in Capoeira, I am still learning. I still feel the same joy when I hear the berimbau that I felt as a 10-year-old boy in Brazil.

When I look back, I realize that Capoeira has given me far more than I could have ever imagined. It has given me friends who became family, students who became teachers, and opportunities to share a part of Brazil with people all over the world.

For me, Capoeira is not just an art. It is culture. It is community. It is family. It is a way to give back and make a difference in people’s lives.

And after all these years, I am still grateful every day that a little boy in São Paulo decided to follow the sound of the berimbau.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t always been an easy road, but it has been a beautiful one.

When our family came from Brazil to Atlanta, we were bringing with us our culture, our traditions, and, most importantly, our love for Capoeira. Starting in a new country always comes with challenges, and the language barrier was one of the biggest. There were times when it was difficult to find the right words or explain what Capoeira meant to us.

But we were very fortunate because Atlanta welcomed us with open arms.That support gave us the confidence to keep going.

Capoeira also helped us overcome the language barrier. Sometimes we didn’t need words. We could play music together, move together, share a roda, laugh together, and build friendships. Capoeira became our language.

So yes, there were challenges, but we never felt alone. Atlanta became our home, and the people we met along the way became part of our Capoeira family. That is something I will always be grateful for.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Capoeira Maculelê is much more than a martial arts school. It is a nonprofit cultural organization built around Capoeira, community, family, and the belief that this art can change lives.

We teach Capoeira to children, teens, and adults, combining martial arts, movement, music, rhythm, and Brazilian culture. But what makes our program special is that we don’t just teach the physical movements. We teach the values behind Capoeira discipline, respect, confidence, perseverance, creativity, and connection with others.

Our family comes from Brazil, and we have dedicated more than 50 years to Capoeira. We are proud to share something that is deeply connected to our history and culture with the Atlanta community. Through our classes, performances, cultural events, workshops, and community programs, we create opportunities for people to experience Brazil in a very authentic and welcoming way.

What sets us apart is our focus on **Community**. We want every student to feel that they belong, whether they are stepping into a Capoeira class for the first time or have been training for many years.

We have watched children grow into confident young adults, students become instructors and leaders, and families who originally came for a class become lifelong friends.

Our brand is really a reflection of who we are: Latinx, family-oriented, welcoming, and passionate about preserving and sharing our culture. We want people to know that when they walk through our doors, they are not simply joining a martial arts school. They are becoming part of a community and experiencing a piece of Brazil.

Above all, we want Capoeira to be accessible and welcoming to everyone. You don’t need experience! You just need to be willing to learn and have fun!

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my favorite childhood memories is training Capoeira in Brazil. I started when I was only 10 years old, and those early days are still very special to me. I remember training with other children, learning new movements and flips!

At that age, I didn’t realize how much those moments would shape my life. I was simply a kid having fun and falling in love with Capoeira. Looking back now, I realize that those experiences gave me discipline, friendships, confidence, and a connection to my culture that I have carried with me throughout my entire life.

Those childhood training sessions are some of the memories I treasure most because they were the beginning of a journey that continues to this day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://capoeiratlanta.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capoeiradecatur/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/capoeiradecatur/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/capoeiradecatur
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/capoeira-maculele-decatur