Leika Suzumura

Leika Suzumura is a community nutrition educator (Nourishian) dedicated to uplifting health and well-being in her community. Leika earned her BS in Nutrition from Bastyr University in 2006 and recently completed her Master of Public Health at the University of Washington, specializing in Community Oriented Public Health Practice. She has been working in the Rainier Valley of South Seattle for 15 years, providing experiential and community driven opportunities for people to learn and share food traditions, connect community, and honor the land our food comes from. Her approach to nutrition is deeply rooted in cultural tradition, bringing people together around shared meals as a way to nourish ourselves and celebrate life.

Staff

Silvio Dos Reis

Artistic Director

Mestre Silvinho, a Capoeira Angola master from Belo Horizonte, has taught in Seattle since 2004. He leads classes, camps, and conferences, using Capoeira for education, healing, and empowerment.

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Leika Suzumura

Program Director

Leika Suzumura is a community nutrition educator in South Seattle. Rooted in cultural tradition, she uplifts health through food, shared meals, and community-based nutrition education.

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Teaching Artist

Manimou Camara

Teaching Artist

Manimou Camara, a master drummer and dancer from Guinea, is founder of Seattle’s Dounia Djembe. Trained with top artists, he shares Guinean music and dance through global workshops and performances.

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Mestre Silvinho

Teaching Artist

Mestre Silvinho has practiced Capoeira Angola for over 30 years. Based in Seattle, he leads ICAF Seattle and supports study groups across the Pacific Northwest, sharing capoeira’s rich legacy and philosophy.

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Deise Costa

Teaching Artist

Deise Costa, 2022 USA Samba Queen and winner of Adriana Lima’s 2023 contest, is a Brazilian dancer and teacher in Seattle. She uses Brazilian dance to inspire healing, empowerment, and self-discovery.

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Darren Lam

Teaching Artist

Darren Lam has trained in Wing Chun (Wong Shun Leung lineage) for 6+ years and now teaches in Washington. He aims to build a strong Wing Chun community in Seattle.

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Board Members

Jabali Steward

Board Member

Dr. Jabali Stewart is an inclusion specialist and Circle Keeper, using Peacemaking Circles to foster cultural change in schools, communities, and institutions through love-based leadership.

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Deepa Iyer

Board Member

Deepa, co-founder of Ayeko Farm, has 20+ years in food systems education. She grows culturally rooted crops to help BIPOC communities reconnect with land, culture, ancestors, and home.

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Iris Viveros

Board Member

Dr. Iris C. Viveros Avendaño is a Mexican scholar focused on feminist, decolonial studies of violence and power. She explores fandango and music as practices of resistance, healing, and knowledge-sharing.

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Sandra Omolo

Board Member

Sandra, born in Nairobi, is a multilingual Black immigrant with 10+ years in nonprofits. She helps organizations reimagine strategy, culture, and leadership through coaching, facilitation, and partnership.

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