Who We Are
ABRACE is the only nonprofit organization in the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia region entirely dedicated to promoting the Portuguese language and Brazilian culture for children and youth ages 2 to 17. More than a Portuguese language school, we are a community of families who value their Brazilian roots and work together to provide new generations growing up in the United States with opportunities to experience, celebrate, and strengthen their connection to Brazil’s rich and diverse culture.
Every Saturday, more than 200 students gather at Langley High School to learn Portuguese as a Heritage Language and participate in educational and cultural activities inspired by Brazilian traditions, including music, literature, gastronomy, folklore, history, sports, and much more. At ABRACE, every gathering is an opportunity to nurture meaningful connections to Brazil, strengthen a sense of belonging, and build lasting memories within a supportive community.
As a community-based association, ABRACE is led by a dedicated team of professionals, volunteers, and families committed to our mission. Since 2005, we have impacted more than 2,000 students and their families through Portuguese language classes, cultural and book fairs, programs for babies and young children, literacy initiatives, a youth volunteer program, and a library with thousands of books in Portuguese.
Over the past two decades, ABRACE has established itself as a welcoming space for learning, cultural connection, and community engagement. By strengthening the Brazilian identity of families in our community, we continue to build bridges between Brazil and the United States.
Learn more about Who We Are
To preserve and promote educational initiatives and the cultural and social integration of the Brazilian community, strengthening its identity and empowering its active participation in American society.
Every community begins with a dream. Ours began with a simple yet powerful vision: to ensure that Brazilian children growing up in the United States could remain connected to the Portuguese language, Brazilian culture, and the traditions that shape their identity.
For more than 20 years, ABRACE has expanded its programs and strengthened initiatives that engage families, educators, and the broader community, while keeping students at the heart of everything we do. We believe that building a strong multicultural identity is a shared responsibility.
ABRACE has a solid organizational structure that ensures efficiency, transparency, and sustainability in all of our work.
ABRACE is the only nonprofit organization in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region dedicated exclusively to promoting the Portuguese language and Brazilian culture for children and youth ages 2 to 17.
The trust of our community has been one of the pillars supporting ABRACE's work for more than 20 years. As a nonprofit organization recognized by the United States government as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, ABRACE manages its resources with responsibility, integrity, and transparency, ensuring that every contribution is used efficiently and in alignment with our mission to promote the Portuguese language and Brazilian culture throughout the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia region.