By Dr. Julie Hill, co-CEO, Global Citizen Adventure Corps
Salvador da Bahia, Brazil — In an extraordinary cultural immersion, nine women from diverse corners of the United States recently completed a life-changing journey in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, with the Dresden, Tenn.-based nonprofit Global Citizen Adventure Corps. The program, grounded in experiential learning, offered participants an in-depth exploration of Afro-Brazilian culture through dynamic engagement with local traditions, spiritual practices, and artistic expressions.
During their time in Salvador—the cultural heart of Afro-Brazilian heritage—the women, aged 18-77, immersed themselves in powerful experiences rooted in capoeira—a centuries-old Afro-Brazilian martial arts disguised as a dance—samba reggae drumming, an Afro-Brazilian dance, and Candomblé, an Afro-Diasporic religion that developed in Brazil in the 19th century. Through hands-on participation and dialogue with local maestros (both male and female), they deepened their understanding of Brazil’s African legacy and its enduring influence on identity, resistance, and joy.
“This was not a vacation. It was a soul pilgrimage,” said Veronica Perkins, one participant from Little Rock, Arkansas. “Through every drumbeat, dance, and spiritual ritual, I connected with parts of myself and my ancestry that I craved to explore.”
Highlights of the program included:
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Capoeira training with local leaders, blending martial arts, rhythm, and resistance.
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Samba reggae workshops that energized the group through collective drumming, dance, and song.
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Afro-Brazilian dance lessons that emphasize storytelling through the body and rhythm.
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Visits to Candomblé terreiros offer insight into ancestral spirituality and sacred traditions.
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Cultural round tables with community leaders and artists preserving the heritage of Afro-Brazilian identity for generations to come.
Designed to foster both personal transformation and cross-cultural solidarity, the program served as a powerful reminder of the resilience and beauty that arise from African diasporic connections. For many of the women, it marked a turning point in their self-perception, their understanding of their ancestry, and their place in the world.
“This journey redefined empowerment for me,” participant Martha Edinger of Lakewood Ranch, Florida, shared. “To be embraced by the spirit of Salvador — to witness the brilliance of Black culture so alive and thriving and specifically its generational impact of women of African descent in this region— was an affirmation I didn’t know I needed.” Edinger, a native of Obion County, Tenn., further added, “I have been to more than 40 countries and participated in countless tours; this program offered by GCAC was hands-down the most educational and immersively impactful program I have ever been a part of; we were simply invited to be a part of this local community for nine magical days and I will never forget the experience.”
Global Citizen Adventure Corps is committed to continuing these cultural exchange initiatives, expanding access to transformative experiences that honor the roots and richness of African heritage worldwide.
If you want to travel to Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, in May 2027 with GCAC, contact julie@
Photo: From left, Veronica Perkins, Little Rock, Arkansas, Maria Trujillo (GCAC Board of Director), Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Tonda Potts, Boulder, Colorado, Tori Serio, LaVergne, Tennessee, Viviam Queiros, Maestra of Yaya Muxima, Julie Hill (GCAC Co-Founder) Union City, Tennessee, Martha Edinger (GCAC Chair, Board of Directors), Lakewood Ranch, Florida, Mary Holtz, West Long Branch, New Jersey, Ruth McCluskey, Ashland, Missouri.