Providing Community for the Whole Family

Carole was walking down Rhode Island Ave NE one day. In the near distance, she heard the steady beat of drums. Having grown up in the Caribbean, drumming and music were embedded in her DNA. It was something she had been missing since immigrating to the U.S. She followed the sound to The Capoeira Spot. 

The music, the movement, the Axé! She was home. Carole enrolled her two kids, ages 3 and 5 at the time, in our kids program. For the next few years, she saw her kids learn new skills, gain friends, and build confidence. Her kids are among our most consistent youth students. Their creativity, talent, and dedication shine through in class and when they play capoeira in the roda.

Eventually, with the encouragement of Mestre Morcego, Carole decided to give capoeira a try herself. Six years later, Carole is one of our most consistent adult students. Her swift, dynamic, powerful game earned her the loving nickname, “Killer Carole,” by her classmates. She is an inspiration especially to the women in our community as she balances her capoeira with her work and family obligations. 

Carole also took the initiative to volunteer as our studio manager for the past several years. Her daughter is now in our Teen Teaching program, assisting teachers in our kids program and developing her leadership skills. 

When asked what brings her and her family back - not only as students but also as volunteer leaders - Carole shared, “CapoeiraDC is genuinely invested in the development and physical and mental growth of the children. It's more than just a gym where one would do the work and leave. It's a family. There is love around and it is felt.”