On May 10, 2025, the Cardano Hub Brazil held a free workshop on blockchain, crypto assets, and the Cardano network in the Jardim Vila Kennedy community, located in the West Zone of Rio de Janeiro. The activity was carried out in partnership with Espaço Cultural MODU, a center recognized for its role in urban culture, art, and social development in the region.
More than just an event, this moment represents the fulfillment of a long-held dream of Maria Carmo, the person leading the Hub. For years, she envisioned bringing blockchain education to underserved communities as a tool for inclusion, income generation, strengthening local culture, and fostering social autonomy.
Vila Kennedy: A Community Built with U.S. Support, Marked by Struggle and Reinvention
Vila Kennedy carries a unique and powerful history. The community was established in the 1960s with funding from the United States through the international aid program Alliance for Progress, created by then U.S. President John F. Kennedy.
The initiative aimed to foster social and urban development in Latin American countries, combating poverty as part of a broader strategy to contain the spread of communism during the height of the Cold War. It was within this context that Vila Kennedy was born—carefully planned, featuring wide streets and houses built to relocate families removed from favelas in downtown Rio de Janeiro.
Over time, however, the community suffered from government neglect and a lack of structural public policies. This abandonment resulted in significant challenges, including social inequality, uncontrolled urban growth, and violence.
Despite these obstacles, Vila Kennedy stands as a symbol of resilience—a community of people who reinvent themselves every day, transforming adversity into strength, creativity, art, and entrepreneurship.
Cardano as a Tool for Transformation in Underserved Communities
During the workshop, led by Maria Carmo, participants were introduced to the fundamental concepts of the crypto universe.
Maria, who carries a deep connection with Cardano’s mission throughout her journey, emphasized:
“The true blockchain revolution happens when it reaches the edges—when it reaches the communities. This is where the technology has the power to transform realities, generate income, and strengthen local culture.”
A Graffiti that Seals a New Partnership: Cardano + MODU
At the end of the workshop, a cultural activity marked this historic moment. A collaborative graffiti featuring the logos of Cardano and Espaço Cultural MODU now brightens one of the walls in Vila Kennedy, symbolizing the connection between technology, art, and social transformation.
This mural is more than just a piece of art. It represents a milestone: the arrival of Cardano in the community and the beginning of a journey that unites culture, innovation, and social development.
The Birth of a Community DAO
One of the most powerful outcomes of this gathering was the emergence of a new possibility: the creation of a DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) in Vila Kennedy.
The community is now exploring how to use this technology to structure a DAO focused on local cultural activities—an organization capable of managing, funding, and bringing transparency to social projects, workshops, artistic events, and impactful initiatives within the territory.
The DAO emerges as a powerful tool to strengthen local governance, democratize decision-making, and enable collective funding for projects driven by the community itself.
Cardano in Brazil: Transformation Starts at the Grassroots
This action reflects the commitment of Cardano Hub Brazil to Cardano’s global mission of promoting inclusion, education, and autonomy through blockchain technology.
If blockchain once seemed distant from the reality of underserved communities, today it stands as a powerful driver of transformation—accessible, applicable, and, above all, a tool in the hands of those determined to change their reality.
The blockchain revolution is not just about technology. It’s about people, communities, and the future.