We were lucky to catch up with Kelvin Wyatt recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kelvin thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The best project I have transformed into a lifestyle has been teaching the art of Capoeira to my community. I live in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up seeing the goods and the bads of the city. However, I also have learned much from my city to know what can affect change both culturally and as a revolutionary of peace through the arts. I have been able to live a lifestyle of Afro-Brazilian dance, music, and arts for 28 years and loving every minute of it. I started this journey to learn such a beautiful art from powerful masters of the art. To then provide it to the residents of Detroit. Through this work, many class attendees have learned a healthier lifestyle through fitness, music, and cultural dance. While also offering classes in self-defense, mentoring, and community enrichment. This translated to the creation of Creative Movement Brazil, a 501 c) (3) non-profit that offers these opportunities to low-income residents and anyone looking for a safe space to grow artistically. It is a blessing to see my students grow not just in class but in their regular lives.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My background extends beyond martial arts to include graphic design, commercial art, and illustration. Creativity has always been a part of me, a gift passed down from my mother, a talented seamstress. I grew up watching her craft incredible clothing for her customers, which ignited my own passion for artistic expression.

Kelvin Wyatt, known as Contra-Mestre Pequenininho, began his journey in Capoeira in 1997 with Os Malandros de Mestre Touro under Mestre Preto Velho. Driven by a deep desire to expand his understanding of Capoeira, he sought out new teachings, which led him to train under Mestre Caboclinho Aruanda. Pequenininho follows the tradition of Capoeira Angola as it was passed down to him. In 2009, he earned the title of Treinel (teacher) in Capoeira Angola and has continued his lifelong growth in the art.

In 2014, after traveling to Salvador, Bahia, Kelvin achieved the rank of Contra-Mestre in Brazil. With a mission to share the rich culture of Brazil through understanding, respect, and peace, he founded Creative Movement Brazil in 2016. As Executive Director and founder, he has helped shape the organization into a thriving non-profit dedicated to cultural enrichment and community empowerment in the city of Detroit.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Society can best support artists, creatives, and a thriving creative ecosystem by fostering an environment where creativity is valued, funded, and nurtured. This begins with recognizing the essential role that art plays in cultural identity, education, and economic growth.

1. Funding & Grants – Governments, businesses, and organizations should invest in artists through grants, residencies, and commissions, ensuring they have the resources to create and sustain their work.

2. Accessible Creative Spaces – Providing affordable studios, co-working spaces, and performance venues can help artists collaborate, showcase their work, and build sustainable careers.

3. Education & Mentorship – Schools should integrate arts education at all levels, while mentorship programs can help emerging artists develop their craft and navigate the business side of creativity.

4. Fair Compensation & Economic Opportunities – Artists should be fairly paid for their work. Policies that ensure equitable wages, intellectual property protection, and opportunities for artists to monetize their craft are crucial.

5. Community Engagement & Cultural Celebration – Encouraging public art, festivals, and cultural events fosters appreciation for the arts and provides artists with visibility and connection to their communities.

6. Leveraging Technology & Digital Platforms – Digital tools and online platforms offer artists new ways to share their work globally. Providing resources and training in these areas can help creatives thrive in an evolving marketplace.

7. Support from Local Businesses & Corporations – Businesses can commission local artists, sponsor creative initiatives, and collaborate with creatives to integrate art into everyday spaces.

Ultimately, a thriving creative ecosystem requires a collective effort—one where governments, businesses, and communities actively uplift and invest in artistic expression. When artists thrive, society as a whole benefits from richer cultural experiences, deeper social connections, and a more innovative, inspired world.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist and creative is the ability to bring ideas to life and share them in ways that inspire and connect with others. Creativity has always been a part of me, passed down from my mother, who expressed her artistry through sewing. Watching her create something beautiful from raw materials instilled in me a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and expression.

Through Capoeira and visual arts, I have found a way to merge culture, movement, and storytelling, not just as a personal passion but as a way to build community and preserve tradition. The most fulfilling moments come when I see others—whether students in a Capoeira class, audience members at a performance, or those engaging with my visual work—feel moved, empowered, or inspired by what I create.

Art, in all its forms, is a bridge. It allows me to honor the past while shaping the future, to express myself while giving others a voice, and to turn creativity into a tool for unity, growth, and transformation. That, to me, is the greatest reward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://creativemovementbrazil.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/createmovementbrazil/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creativemovementbrazil
• Youtube: https://www.instagram.com/createmovementbrazil/