RISE TRAINING
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  • GET STARTED
  • PROGRAMS
    • CAPOEIRA FOR ADULTS
    • CAPOEIRA FOR KIDS
    • SAMBA
  • EVENTS
    • BEGINNER SAMBA SERIES
  • COMMUNITY
  • BOOK RISE
  • SHOP
  • ABOUT

ABOUT US

Rise Training Academy is a Black-owned, AAPI-owned, and woman-owned small business rooted in the heart of Chicago’s South Side. We are more than a training center—we are a cultural sanctuary where children and adults, families and friends, come together to celebrate movement, music, wellness, and community.

We offer a diverse range of dance, fitness, martial arts, and wellness classes, including capoeira under the direction of CM Tinta Forte, samba taught by Joshlean Fair, yoga, and fitness training. Our programs are designed to serve and uplift the underserved South Side community by providing accessible, healthy, and empowering activities in a professional and enriching environment.

We believe community is everything. That’s why we invest back into the neighborhood by hiring local artists and health/wellness professionals, providing free resources through partnerships with fellow small businesses and organizations, and fostering a space where culture and connection thrive.

We contribute to Chicago's cultural landscape by fostering cultural diversity, community engagement, supporting local martial artists and dancers, celebrating health and wellness, and encouraging 
dialogue among our students/the public about the intersection of movement, art, and culture.

What makes us proud is our commitment to community transformation —through movement, through collaboration, and through the belief that when we rise together, we rise stronger. To quote on of our students, “It’s wonderful to be a part of a group that cares for our collective community!”
OUR CORE VALUES
  • Remain a center for healthy and positive activities as a part of everyday life
  • Be a valuable resource that continues to improve the welfare of our South Side community 
  • Be a hub for community resources through collaboration with local businesses and organizations based on the South Side
  • Host health and wellness events for the community, family-friendly and always free of charge
  • Invest back into the community by providing employment opportunities to local residents

OUR STORY

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Rise Training was established in 2017 by Co-Owners De Boa and Contra Mestre Tinta Forte. Being Chicago natives and South Side residents, we strive to be a part of the revitalization of the community by investing back where we live. We became small business owners through our love of martial arts, wellness, culture, and community.

We humbly began with capoeira classes, a time slot in a gym, zero new students, a challenging budget, and many stops and restarts along the way. It took us a while to figure out what works for us and our community.
Once we gained our footing and our business survived the pandemic, we began to grow. We held our first major martial arts event in June 2021. In November 2023 we were able to hold the first full weekend martial arts event inviting local and international teachers. In September 2023, we launched our Samba program, and offered multiple Beginner Series for samba, yoga, and jiu jitsu between 2023 and 2025. We have also hosted events with visiting master level instructors from the United States, Brazil, and Italy.
Fast forward to today, we offer a diverse range of dance, fitness, martial arts, and wellness classes and workshops, including capoeira, samba, yoga, and fitness training. Our programs are designed to serve and uplift the underserved South Side community by providing accessible, healthy, and empowering activities in a professional and enriching environment.

Contra Mestre Tinta Forte

CM Tinta Forte is an African-American martial artist and IT professional who was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago. He has successfully achieved high-rank martial arts expertise in capoeira over the past 25 years. Tinta Forte is the lead capoeira instructor and responsible for developing the capoeira curriculum. He co-manages all instructors, program schedules, facilities, and customer relations.

De Boa

De Boa was born and raised in Chicago. She teaches capoeira classes through Rise Training's school & non-profit organization partnership programs. She co-manages student administration and programming and is responsible for all financial, marketing, and merchandise operations. De Boa develops partnerships with local non-profit organizations and manages Rise Training’s free community resource offerings and special events.
CONTACT
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LEGAL
Classes are held at 8300 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60620 in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood.  There is free street parking.
Copyright 2025 Rise Training Academy, LLC
​​All rights reserved.
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  • Home
  • GET STARTED
  • PROGRAMS
    • CAPOEIRA FOR ADULTS
    • CAPOEIRA FOR KIDS
    • SAMBA
  • EVENTS
    • BEGINNER SAMBA SERIES
  • COMMUNITY
  • BOOK RISE
  • SHOP
  • ABOUT