Scholars & Artists

Grandmaster Robert "Bob" Cooper holds a prestigious 10th Degree Black Belt in Jiu Jitsu, awarded to him by Florendo "Professor Vee" Visitacion. In addition to his martial arts achievements, he is also a licensed teacher, having worked as a Physical Education Teacher and Jiu Jitsu instructor in Brooklyn.

Héctor Julio Páride Bernabó (February 7, 1911 – October 2, 1997) was an Argentine-Brazilian artist, researcher, writer, historian, and journalist. He is best known by his nickname and artistic name, Carybé, which refers to a type of piranha. This name originated from his time in the scouts.

Professor Dawson's research focuses on the African diaspora and its cultural expressions. He has taught seminars on African Spirituality in the Americas and has worked in various roles, including as a photographer, filmmaker, curator, arts administrator, and consultant.

Mestre Jair Moura (born August 27, 1936, in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil) was a distinguished historian, researcher, and documentary filmmaker, known for his significant contributions to the study and preservation of Capoeira. A disciple of Mestre Bimba, the creator of Regional Capoeira, he was one of the few capoeiristas to receive the Lenço Branco (White Scarf), symbolizing the title of Mestre in Regional Capoeira, directly from Mestre Bimba himself.