Brazuka (which trades under the name Katumba) develops intercultural learning, artistic exchanges and projects within communities in the UK, Brazil and internationally. It runs the community-based drumming and movement project Katumba, which fosters mental health and wellbeing in local communities.
Its initial pitch for money to Kindred was designed to establish new Katumba communities across the country, replicating the Liverpool events model, alongside resources to support this expansion. However, through the process, the team realised the importance of strengthening its internal structure first. This led to an inward focus – hiring a manager, refining policies and embedding more sustainable business practices.
As part of this shift, Brazuka introduced outreach and training programmes to empower more people to lead workshops and events and reduce the load on the founders. Authenticity remains central to its mission, particularly in carnival arts, deepening connections to its Afro-Indigenous heritage.
Prior to investment from Kindred, funding was competitive, bureaucratic and time consuming, with limited access to flexible investment. Its restrictive, project-based nature made long-term planning difficult, impacting growth. Co-founder Juliana Landim says: “We’ve been able to really see where we were, where we are now and where we need to get to. Having someone on our side to work out what we need to do next has changed our attitude to money immensely. It’s a mark of confidence in the business.”
By securing money from Kindred, rather than restricted funding, Katumba has been able to focus on strategic growth, building internal capacity, hiring essential staff and developing robust policies. This shift allows it to strengthen community’s involvement, ensuring that underrepresented groups play a role in shaping the work that directly affects them.
Cultural immersion trips to Brazil allow the team to reconnect to their Afro-Indigenous roots and the community to experience the origins of the music and dance they practise. These trips also support sustainable social economies in Brazil, provide CPD opportunities and deepen the understanding of carnival’s healing and cultural significance.
With its internal structure strengthened, Brazuka is now focused on maintaining sustainable growth. Rather than expanding rapidly, it is taking a staged approach – building a more robust team, planning long-term and ensuring financial stability. The process of understanding financial sustainability, combined with external belief in their potential, has given them confidence to continue growing.
Brazuka’s impact is clear – improving mental wellbeing, increasing self-confidence and providing a sense of belonging by centring underrepresented communities, ensuring they feel heard and celebrated. With an engaged and invested community, the organisation is in good shape to make a lasting, meaningful impact.