How Brazilian immigrants preserve their identity and share their heritage across America
Brazilians at “Festa Junina” that celebrates in June and organized by the Brazilian community in California. Photo: Claudia Passos
Brazilian immigrants who choose to live abroad often form close-knit local communities that help preserve and promote their homeland’s vibrant culture. In the United States, while official data is limited, Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs estimates there are currently between 1 million and 1.4 million Brazilians living in the country.
- Brazilian Culture Flourishes in Georgia
In Georgia, for example, Brazilian immigrants – particularly those from the state of Goiás – maintain strong cultural ties. In Marietta, a city within the Atlanta metropolitan area, many Brazilian businesses proudly bear the name “Goianão,” reflecting their regional roots. On a single commercial block, visitors can find Goianão Bakery, Goianão Supermarket, and Goianão Restaurant.
Even traditional Brazilian foods make their way into the American culinary scene. A classic treat especially popular during Brazil’s June festivals, the pamonha (a dish made from fresh corn), is offered in local Brazilian restaurants under the name “Brazilian tamal”, making it more relatable to customers familiar with Mexican or Central American cuisine. Community-organized “pamonhada” events are frequently promoted on social media as a way to raise funds for local churches and social projects.
Religious institutions also play a key role in immigrant support. Evangelical churches and a strong Catholic presence offer spaces of belonging. “Churches play a vital role in welcoming immigrants,” says Hermano Telles Ribeiro, Brazil’s Consul in Atlanta.
- Pride and Identity in Everyday Life
Across the U.S., Brazilian Americans act as cultural ambassadors. James Thomaz, a 45-year-old American who lives near one of the community’s cultural events, attended just to enjoy the Brazilian-style barbecue. “I love how you all grill meat. I came last year and had to come back,” he said.
Another prominent voice is Lucia Moraes Jennings, originally from Rio de Janeiro. She moved to the U.S. in 1975 to attend college in Georgia. Although she married an American, Lucia says she never lost her Brazilian identity. In 1987, she began working to promote Brazilian culture in Atlanta, even dressing up as Carmen Miranda for school presentations—though she sought to challenge common stereotypes. “I never liked how Brazil is only associated with soccer, Carnival, and sensuality,” she told Brazil’s national news agency, Agência Brasil.
Brazilian Day in NYC is considered the largest outdoor community event in the state of NY.
By 1996, Lucia shifted her focus to economic promotion and co-founded the Brazil-U.S. Southeast Chamber of Commerce, aimed at building business bridges between the two nations. Now an executive at Coca-Cola, she supports Brazilian companies looking to enter the U.S. market. “Our goal is to break myths and highlight Brazil’s real potential,” she adds.
After four decades in the U.S., Lucia says her Brazilian identity has only grown stronger. “In many ways, I feel like a cultural ambassador,” she says. In 2016, she was honored to speak before new immigrants receiving their U.S. Green Cards at the Supreme Court. “It was a proud moment, sharing the values of Brazilian citizenship.”
- Empowering Brazilian Women in Boston
Meanwhile, in the Northeastern U.S., Heloísa Galvão, a journalist and anthropologist from Ilha Grande, has made her mark in Boston. She arrived in 1988 for a master’s program and decided to stay. In 1995, she co-founded Brazilian Women’s Group in Boston, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting immigrants and promoting Brazilian culture.
“Our first mission is to inform. Information is empowerment. When you know your rights, you overcome fear,” says Heloísa, who works closely with undocumented immigrants. Every September, the group organizes Brazilian Independence Festival, one of the largest Brazilian community festivals in the U.S.
- Final Thoughts: A Legacy That Crosses Borders
As Brazilian communities across the United States continue to grow and evolve, they remind us that identity doesn’t fade with distance—it adapts, persists, and thrives. Whether through business, cuisine, music, or social advocacy, Brazilian immigrants are not only preserving their heritage—they are enriching American society with it. Their stories are proof that culture, when nurtured, becomes a powerful bridge between past and future, between nations and generations.
