Mestre Fran

Francisco Antônio Rodrigues da Silva, better known as Mestre Fran

Was born on November 7, 1964 in the city of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil. He started practicing Capoeira at the age of 10, in São Paulo, Brasil with Ronaldo Luis de Lima, better known as Mestre Bradesco of Grupo de Capoeira Conceição da Praia. Mestre Bradesco was responsible for creating a capoeirista strong in every aspect of the fundamentals. In November of 1982, at the age of 18, he arrived in Londrina, Brasil with the dream to disseminate the art of Capoeira to the southern regions of Brasil.

After many years of hard work in Londrina, Sara, Mestre Fran’s wife and a professor, suggested a trip to Salvador, Bahia. In Salvador he met Dona Alice, Mestre Pastinha’s widow and many other capoeira Mestres like Bobó, Caiçara, and Ezequiel. These old “capoeiristas baianos” (capoeiristas from Bahia) showed Mestre Fran the essence of Capoeira and the art of Maculelê. The beat of the drums and the vibration of the beautiful dance-fight impacted Mestre Fran deeply. Upon his return to Londrina, he decided to take all that he learned in Bahia and create his own group. On November 5, 1991 in the city of Londrina, Brasil, Mestre Fran founded the Associaçao Cultural de Capoeira Maculelê or Capoeira Maculelê Cultural Association. Mestre Fran furthered awareness of Capoeira and his group in Londrina by performing as a part of cultural shows and establishing a program to help impoverished children escape the dangers of the streets. His efforts can be seen in his two successful academies around the city as well as in his academies throughout the world.

Mestre Fran’s plans were formulating well in Londrina but his dreams of spreading Capoeira could not rest. This time, his sights were set on the United States. In December 2002, with the help of Steven Alphabet – former Athletic Director for Georgia State University, Mestre Fran became the first Capoeira Mestre in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2003, Mestre Fran was hired by Emory University to start the first capoeira program with students and Emory staff. Here in Atlanta, Mestre Fran has orchestrated Capoeira batizados (or graduations) and has performed at numerous cultural festivals in Downtown Decatur, Piedmont Park, Centennial Olympic Park,  Underground Atlanta, Emory University, Georgia State University, Georgia Aquarium, State Farm Arena and many more. He has also taught workshops all over the United States (Emory, Georgia State, UT, Harvard, UGA) Brazil, Europe, Latin America and Asia.

Since 1982, Mestre Fran and Capoeira Maculelê have worked to promote an organization that values all dimensions of the human being, including the physical, moral, and spiritual. He has focused on awakening the talents of his students, elevating the awareness of society, and encouraging the practice of Capoeira as an art, fight, and a means of social, cultural, and athletic integration. Mestre Fran is constantly researching capoeira and improving his style. He teaches workshops and seminars and attends batizados in Brazil, USA, Europe and throughout the world. He has become eminently respected in Brazil, USA and in the worldwide capoeira community for his contributions to the art and communities. 

Today, anyone would agree that Mestre Fran has succeeded in these endeavors. He has taken his passion and shared it with hundreds, maybe thousands, of people all over the world and, unintentionally, Mestre Fran has created a reputation as one of the greatest Capoeira Mestres and maintains international recognition for his accomplishments in the field and teaches regularly throughout Brazil, North America, Europe, Asia, and Colombia.

RECENT AWARDS and MILESTONES

2006: Certificate of Appreciation presented by US Department of Homeland Security  
2006: World Hall of Fame presented to Mestre Fran by Mayor & City Council of Laredo, Texas
2010: Mestre Fran received Honorary Citizenship from the Mayor of Londrina, Parana Brazil
2011: Certificate of Honor presented by City of New Orleans Mayor
2014: City of Decatur Mayor presented October 25th as Mestre Fran’s Day
2016: Community Award Presented to Maculele-Capoeira by Mayor of Pembroke Park, FL
2017: Award presented by Babi a non-profit organization dedicated to establishing improvement in health and population outcomes throughout the minority populations of African-Americans, and all minorities in Tuskegee Alabama
2018: City of Pembroke Park Mayor presented June 3rd as Mestre Fran’s Day
2018: City of Decatur Mayor presented September 18th as Mestra Sara’s Day
2019: Best Martial Art School in Decatur GA presented by City of Decatur
2019: Welcoming Business Award presented by City of Decatur
2020: Best Martial Art School in Georgia
2019: Welcoming Business Award in Decatur, GA
2020: Best Martial Art School in Georgia Award presented by Georgia Business Journal
2021: Best Martial Art School in Georgia Award presented by Georgia Business Journal
2021: Best of Atlanta presented by Expertise
2022: Best Martial Art School in Georgia Award presented by Georgia Business Journal
2022: Brazilian Arts Festival proclamation presented by Mayor of Atlanta Andre Dickens
2022: Best of Atlanta presented by Expertise
2023: Mestre Fran became Ambassador of Londrina, Brazil
2023: Medalha Ouro Verde Award 
2024: Best Martial Art School finalist at Atlanta’s Best Gala

We are a family of Capoeiristas! Father, Mother and Daughter. From the moment you enter our school, you will feel and sense the utmost positive energy and family oriented atmosphere. Our family will do everything possible to provide the most fun and exciting ways to learn Capoeira!