In March 2005, Tiberio Vieira and Michelle Pinzon Vieira founded the Capoeira Center of New York, Inc. (the "Center") and brought together over fifteen years of experience in teaching and training Capoeira and dance.  The Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, and its mission is to promote, foster and develop an understanding and appreciation of Afro-Brazilian culture.  The Center primarily focuses on the Afro-Brazilian martial art and dance of Capoeira through community workshops, classes, presentations, cultural exchange programs, educational seminars, and retreats.

The Center plans to implement its mission and meet its goals through the following objectives:

• Create a central place in New York City known as the Capoeira Center of New York.
• Conduct classes for adults and children at the Capoeira Center that focus on Capoeira, other Afro-Brazilian dances and music, and the Portuguese language.
• Coordinate Capoeira outreach programs for at-risk youth in all five boroughs of New York City.
• Facilitate a cultural exchange program for American Capoeira students to travel to Brazil, the country where Capoeira originated, and for Brazilian Capoeira students and instructors to visit New York City.
• Implement a masters’ workshop series so that the New York community has an opportunity to meet and work with Capoeira masters.
• Present shows and demonstrations throughout the year showcasing Capoeira and other Afro-Brazilian dances and music.
• Host a graduation ceremony at which students who perform at a certain level are graduated to the next level of Capoeira, symbolized by a cordero or a cord (like a belt in other martial arts systems).