Jorge Duarte started Sambão, which was originally Noe Valley Community Samba (NVCS) and associated
with the health food store of a similar name where Jorge worked. NVCS was started in 1987.
The original Board of Directors for NVCS included:
            Jorge Duarte, President
            Mary Ramos, Executive Director
            Berna Alvarado-Rodriguiz, Secretary
            Selina Williams, Treasurer

Roger Poirier, Bateria Manager, was instrumental in developing many of the themes for the group.
Other original members of NVCS were Maria Amabelis, Mirian Bertoldo, Carmen D’Arce, Benny Duarte
(unrelated to Jorge), Dominique Isabeau, Marvin Montenegro, and Leslie Nicole.

In 1989, NVCS collaborated with several other samba groups for Amazonia Preciosa in the
San  Francisco Carnaval, including the following:
            Escola de Samba Mexe Mexe with Elvira
            Cola Samba Quente, with Kitty Rivera
            Brazil Network with Celinha Brandao
            Grupo Sencala Grande with Marcelo Pereira

If you have been in the samba scene for a number of years or since the 1980s, you have probably  worked with
one or more of these individuals. NVCS and later Sambao followed the traditional Escolas de Samba of Rio,
with a Commissao de Frente, Porto Bandeira and Mestre Sala. In 1989, there were five unmotorized floats
in the traditional style of Rio as well. Sambao Para O Povo was created in 1990, and the non-profit status
finalized with the State of California.

I hope you have enjoyed this little history of Sambão and that you carry on the passion, dreams,
and commitment we shared together in creating Sambão Para O Povo.

Joanne Brion
Past Sambão Treasurer and President