May 21, 2025
To all who participated, distinguished guests, partners, friends, and champions of a stronger Brazil-America partnership.
Yesterday we stood at the dawn of a new chapter in the vibrant story of Brazil and the United States. It is with immense pride, gratitude, and purpose that I welcomed you to the inaugural event of the Brazil-America Council. As Founder and Executive Director, I am honored to address you—not just as individuals, but as a collective force for connection, collaboration, and change.
Our two nations, Brazil and the United States, are bound by more than geography in the Western Hemisphere. We share a legacy of resilience, diversity, and ambition. From the rhythms of samba to the spirit of innovation in Silicon Valley, from the Amazon’s vast ecosystems to the bustling markets of New York, our cultures and economies pulse with a shared energy—a belief that together, we can build a future that is prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable.
The Brazil-America Council was born from a simple yet powerful vision: to deepen the ties between our nations in ways that matter most to our people. Our mission is to serve as a bridge—one that fosters trade and investment, celebrates cultural exchange, and tackles shared challenges like climate change, education, and equitable growth.
We are here to amplify the voices of entrepreneurs, artists, educators, and leaders who believe that Brazil and the United States are stronger together.
In 2025, the world is at a crossroads. Global challenges demand regional solutions, and our hemisphere has the potential to lead. Brazil’s rise as a global economic power, coupled with the United States’ enduring innovation, creates a unique opportunity. But potential alone is not enough. It requires action—deliberate, collaborative, and bold. That is why the Brazil-America Council exists: to turn possibility into reality.
As we started eight years ago, I want to share the core commitments that will guide our work:
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Partnership: We will build networks that connect businesses, communities, and ideas across borders. Whether it’s supporting Brazilian startups entering U.S. markets or bringing American expertise to Brazil’s sustainable development, we will be a catalyst for mutual growth.
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Impact: We will measure our success not by words, but by results—jobs created, partnerships forged, and lives transformed through education, innovation, and cultural exchange.
To our partners with us yesterday, all government officials, Brazilian Consul in Orlando, business leaders, cultural ambassadors, and community advocates—thank you for believing in this vision. Your presence is a testament to what we can achieve together. To our team at the Brazil-America Council, your passion and dedication have brought us to this moment. And to the people of Brazil and the United States, this Council is yours—a platform to shape a shared future.
Let me share a brief story. Years ago, I witnessed a small but powerful moment: a Brazilian entrepreneur and an American investor, meeting by chance, sparked a collaboration that turned a local idea into a global business. That moment stayed with me. It showed me the magic that happens when our worlds connect. The Brazil-America Council is here to make those moments not rare, but routine.
As we embark on this journey, I am reminded of a Brazilian proverb: “A gente não vive para se ver, mas para se avistar.” We don’t live just to see each other, but to envision together. Today, we envision a Brazil and America that lead with courage, create with passion, and thrive as partners.
So, let us begin. Let us build bridges, break barriers, and write the next chapter of our shared story. Together, we will make the Brazil-America Council a beacon of hope, opportunity, and unity.
Thank you, and let’s get to work.
Laiz Rodrigues
Executive Director
http://brazilamerica.org
