The mission of Nego Gato, Inc., "To empower and enrich the world community through performance, education and employment in the African-Brazilian arts of music, dance and Capoeira" is derived from the history of the organization's Founder & Executive/Artistic Director, Mestre Nego Gato. As a young boy Jose Sena performed the beautiful art forms of Capoeira, Orixa dance and Afro-Brazilian music throughout Salvador da Bahia, Brazil and in time, his reputation grew and he earned the name Nego Gato for his acrobatic springs and jumps. Mestre Gato performed throughout Brazil, Latin America and Europe with groups Tenda dos Milagres and Viva Bahia. As his reputation grew so did his travel and he soon found himself teaching and performing throughout the United States.

Mestre Gato believes that it was only because his ancestors left for him these cultural treasures that he did not succumb to the dangers of the streets of Salvador, Brazil. Because of Nego Gato's history our mission is centered in enrichment and empowerment.

Our performances are designed to share the beauty, variety and dynamic power of Afro-Brazilian culture. He continues to perform with his band the Nego Gato Music and Dance ensemble in venues such as The Kennedy Center with such artists as Oludum and Daniella Mercury. You can hear him on his CD entitled Baino in New York and we invite you to attend his ongoing performances and events.

The second component of our mission is fulfilled with programs of arts-empowerment. They are intended to use our art forms as a vehicle to share with youth what the arts have to offer them if they are persistant. As part of this mission we offer the beautiful art of Capoeira Angola with academies in Pittsburgh, PA and Washington D.C.