Department of Education

Originating in a slum called Esqueleto in the city of Duque de Caxias, Brazil, Ezequias embarked on a journey characterized by social impact, personal growth, and an unwavering commitment to anti-racism movements. His path of community engagement started with a course called Social Projects Agent at SENAC when he was a freshman at Polo Educacional SESC High School, where he learned how to plan, organize, and execute impactful projects that ensured access to food and leisure for marginalized communities, laying the foundation for his passion for community involvement. Later, during his studies in Social Sciences and Management and Evaluation of Public Policies at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, he showcased his dedication to community well-being and social progress through his long involvement with Coletivo Nuvem Negra. There, he participated in, organized, and led meetings for black and brown student activists focused on proposing concrete actions to promote human rights and anti-racism both within and outside the college.

In 2019, he was awarded a full-ride scholarship from Brazil's federal government to study Community Development, Urban Communities, Public Policies, and African-American Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). This transformative experience deepened his dedication to uplifting underprivileged communities. Subsequently, after his time at UIUC, he continued his educational journey as a Sociology Teacher, learning how to develop innovative smart-learning active teaching methodologies and honing his pedagogical skills to engage high school students in both traditional classrooms and remote settings. His unwavering commitment to volunteerism relies on his hope to leave a lasting impact on communities in Rio de Janeiro and beyond. He passionately dedicated his time and expertise to empower underprivileged adolescents, participate in the distribution of essential supplies to thousands of families in need, and promote human rights and progressive political perspectives in marginalized areas through organizations such as Instituto Identidades do Brasil, Nós em Movimento, Rede Cruzada, Junior Achievement, and Coletivo Esperançar. In the first semester of 2023, he was invited to work as a Parliamentary Assistant at Brazil's House of Representatives, where he tackled issues such as anti-racism and the defense of the secular state through his skills in promoting community engagement. These diverse experiences have not only enriched his knowledge but also fueled his unrelenting passion to create a more equitable world through education, community involvement, and advocacy.

Ezequias is also a man of passion for creativity through art. As he likes to say, "When I'm not working for change, you can find me immersed in my hobbies like drawing, sculpting, playing the guitar, and singing, turning life's canvas into a melody."