About
Founder | Director | Instructor
Ifagbemiga Sangodayo Brandon Valery Johnson aka “Faisao”, is a multifaceted Visual Artist, Educator, and Capoeirista born & raised in Brooklyn NY. He studied Communication Design with a focus on Illustration, at Pratt Institute. Pratt is actually where he discovered the art of Capoeira through close friend Ray “Galo” Webster. After college Brandon began working as a Teaching Artist for many of the Afrikan Centered Arts organizations in Brooklyn. Introducing Capoeira De Angola to hundreds of students in his community.
Faisao is a member of the Ile De Palmares Capoeira Angola Group, under the leadership of Contra Mestre Omi. Faisao uses Capoeira as an educational tool to promote a healthy and empowered lifestyle for young people. In 2019 he founded The KA Arts with the purpose of empowering youth to develop knowledge of self and to utilize the Afrikan Arts as a pathway to personal growth and spiritual development. Brother Faisao is also an Integrated Arts Specialist at Ember Charter School in the heart of Bedstuy Brooklyn.
FAISAO HAS BEEN WORKING IN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SINCE 2008. TODAY, THE KA ARTS PROGRAM SERVES CHILDREN AND TEENS EACH YEAR THROUGH CLASSES AND PERFORMANCES BOTH IN-PERSON AND ONLINE AT THROUGH SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR YOUTH CLASSES CLICK HERE.
BENEFITS
Capoeira develops a wide range of skills, including physical techniques in self-defense, acrobatics, and fitness; musical skills such as playing instruments, keeping rhythm, and singing; social skills in teamwork and strategy; and a basic understanding of the Portuguese language.
Capoeira is a powerful way to teach young people valuable life skills—confidence, leadership, goal-setting, teamwork, cooperation, and respect—that can lead to a lifetime of good health and civic involvement. Capoeira is truly a holistic approach to youth development.
PRINCIPLES
The KA Arts program use the foundation of healthy youth development, which address the full spectrum of young people’s needs to support their emotional, social, and physical development. KA Arts students:
Develop relationships with supportive adults and peers.
Build confidence and develop cultural awareness while learning new skills.
Improve mental, physical, and cognitive health through regular physical activity.
Develop a sense of belonging and freedom in an environment of emotional and physical safety.
Participate in decision-making and build leadership skills.
“Liberate the minds of men and ultimately you will liberate the bodies of men.”
— Marcus Garvey
Support Our Program.
You can donate directly to The KA Arts LLC. using the PayPal link below. Thank you for your generosity and support.