The Brazilian Student Association (BRASA) at the University of Denver was founded in January 2023, when fellow international students Bela Vilela, Marc Mizne, Ana Júlia Rodrigues, Pedro Blumenthal, Alberta “AJ” Johannpeter and Isabela Padilha realized that DU lacked a fun and inclusive space to celebrate the Brazilian culture. BRASA is a national organization that allows Brazilian students to foster a strong Brazilian community on their campuses.

BRASA’s biggest goal this year is to establish themselves on campus and spread the word. BRASA is not Brazilian-exclusive, and individuals from all walks of life are welcome to attend events and learn more about Brazilian culture. The majority of members are not Brazilian, but the energy that BRASA radiates is what attracts them to join. 

The relationship is reciprocal between the executive board and student members who are not of Brazilian descent. As much as they want to share Brazilian culture with others, they also want to learn more about the cultures their members identify with. The intersectionality of identities that make up BRASA is a unique aspect that is cherished by everyone. 

Founder and President, Bela Vilela, born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, a fourth-year majoring in economics and political science with a minor in leadership, reflected on the importance of starting a BRASA chapter at DU. 

“Despite having many Latinx friends, I felt that the language, cultural, and geographical barrier between Brazil and the rest of Latin America made me feel lonely at times. I had heard of the Brazilian Student Association in the past, which is an association for Brazilians studying abroad, and I thought, why can’t I open a chapter at DU?” Vilela said.

Vilela did just that. With persistence and determination, BRASA’s founder and co-founders were able to successfully create a strong foundation centered around their passion for their Brazilian identity.  

“We are here to bridge the gap between Colorado and South America; we are forming the Brazilian diaspora in Denver … BRASA has a very laid-back vibe, which I think represents our jeitinho brasileiro, or the ‘Brazilian way.’ We take our jobs seriously, but we value having fun in the process,” Vilela said.  

BRASA strives to promote a safe space for members, if they can, and would like to, speak Portuguese and find a family on campus. BRASA members become an integral part of one another’s support group and in essence become a família. 

Alberta “AJ” Johannpeter, a third-year hospitality management major with a minor in international studies, was born and raised in Porto Alegre, Brazil and is a co-founder of the organization and current marketing director. Prior to co-founding BRASA, Johannpeter was already friends with many other Brazilians on campus. When Vilela shared her plan to start the organization, Johannpeter was more than ready.

“BRASA is for many Brazilians living abroad, the only opportunity to share our language, culture and food with people we connect with. I miss my home country every day, but BRASA makes it easier for me to stay in the US and focus on my studies,” Johannpeter said. 

A big distinction to note is that BRASA and LSA are two different organizations. Though they both focus on the Latine population, LSA has a more broad focus while BRASA is more narrow and centers around the Brazilian community. 

As Vilela mentioned, the barriers between Latin and South America are prominent, especially at predominantly white institutions. BRASA at DU provides a new perspective on campus and allows the DU community to better represent the entirety of the Latine population. 

“I am proud to be Brazilian and Latina. Although all Brazilians are Latines, we are not Hispanic because we speak Portuguese, not Spanish. Although this month is known as Hispanic Heritage Month, we at BRASA refer to it as Latine Heritage Month. This way, Brazilians and Haitians, Latines who do not speak Spanish, can also be represented,” Johannpeter said. 

The lack of South American representation is not something that is only present at DU but in Denver as a whole. BRASA is determined to change that, starting with representation on campus.

“I believe that representation is not only about inserting our presence in this community but also about showing more about our culture, our way of doing things, our language and most importantly our music, which, in my unbiased opinion, is fire. I believe that it is a big deal for DU to foster this channel between Brazil and the US. There is a lot of value that comes with cultural exchange, and hopefully, DU will help us put Brazil on the map here in Colorado,” Vilela said. 

To learn more, BRASA invites everyone to the organization’s weekly events called Rolêzinhos da BRASA (Rolêzinho is a slang term for hangouts) where they host different activities. These events are also a great way to learn Portuguese if interested. Be sure to check out BRASA’s Crimson Connect and follow their Instagram to stay up to date with meetings and events.