In 2007, the Nogueira brothers visited Cuba to train at a boxing academy, and they observed that the country had a culture of using combat sports training to motivate and inspire young people to overcome disadvantages.
The siblings returned to Brazil and officially launched their charity in 2010, with the mission and goals of providing opportunities for teaching and improving the sport of mixed martial arts by training children, adults, and the elderly who reside in Brazil’s most under resourced communities. Their organization emphasizes the importance of education and making their students black belts both in life and sports – teaching the values of martial arts as a tool for transformation and social inclusion.
PREVIOUS FORREST GRIFFIN COMMUNITY AWARD WINNERS: Dustin Poirier | Max Holloway | Giga Chikadze
Since its launch, the Nogueira Brothers Institute has opened seven locations throughout Brazil and have assisted more than 10,000 students in receiving free training, education, food, and clothing. The organization currently has more than 2,100 active students across seven locations throughout the country.
In June 2023, the Nogueira Brothers will open their eighth location, which will help an additional 3,000 students receive full access to their daily programming, as well as food, clothing, and any additional needed resources. For more information regarding The Nogueira Brothers Institute, please visit https://www.institutoirmaosnogueira.com.br/.
