Our Story
From a single school in Newark's Ironbound to the city's largest school-based martial arts program.
Who We Are
CINA (Cultural Integration and Arts Association) was founded in Newark's Ironbound neighborhood to advance the physical, social, and emotional well-being of youth through culturally responsive martial arts, performing arts, and anti-bullying education.
Today, CINA operates the largest school-based martial arts program in the Newark Public School system — delivering Taekwondo instruction across 44 afterschool sites and a first-of-its-kind weekly physical education Taekwondo program at the Newark School of Data Science and Technology. CINA also operates Team Raposa, a USA Boxing-registered gym, and offers ballet, performing arts, filmmaking, cosmetology, and community programs at its 7,000 square foot center at 269 Oliver Street.
In 2026, CINA began initial implementation of DEFENDER, a proprietary anti-bullying and social-emotional learning curriculum that integrates into every martial arts class. DEFENDER is currently in its Spring 2026 rollout phase across 14 Newark elementary schools, expanding to 15 summer feeder sites in Summer 2026, and scaling to full integration across all Newark Public Schools afterschool sites for the 2026–2027 school year.
CINA serves predominantly Black, Latino, and immigrant families across Newark, with programming delivered in English and Portuguese.
CINA Timeline: How Did We Get Here?
A decade of milestones, partnerships, and community impact — 2016 through 2026.
NJ State Taekwondo Championship
15 youth athletes earn 8 gold, 5 silver, 4 bronze medals and 1st place Team Demonstration.
East Side High School Taekwondo Club
First high school Taekwondo club officially recognized by both the NJ Department of Education and USA Taekwondo — established at East Side High School in Newark.
Olympic Combat TV Program
Community television program created in partnership with Communities Channel TV, broadcasting Taekwondo events across NJ.
Willie Moses Joins CINA
Coach of 2016 Olympic Silver Medalist and WBO World Champion Shakur Stevenson brings Olympic Boxing to CINA.
501(c)(3) Status Obtained
CINA receives official nonprofit tax-exempt status from the IRS.
University High School Program
First Taekwondo program at University High School, sponsored by 21st Century Extended Learning Time.
American History High School
First Taekwondo program at American History High School, sponsored by 21st Century ELT.
USA National Championship
5 Newark youth athletes compete in Minneapolis — 2 silver medals, 8th place Team Demonstration.
Newark Recreation Center
First Taekwondo program at a City of Newark Recreation Center; reached full capacity within 6 months.
21st Century Summer Program
CINA provides Taekwondo programming to the NPS 21st Century Summer Program (federally funded).
Winter Arts Festival & Toy Drive
Over 800 participants; 250+ toys collected and donated to local group home. Partnership with Newark Recreation, Multi Arts Academy, and Mantena Global Care.
Julia Vasconcelos Joins CINA
2016 Olympic Taekwondo athlete for Brazil joins CINA to provide competitive Taekwondo training to Newark youth.
Vikas Yadav Joins CINA
Nationally ranked Taekwondo athlete joins CINA coaching staff.
Strong Women Project Launch
Women's empowerment and self-defense program launched — offering 45–90 minute workshops for women in the community.
K-Tigers Visit & Show
World-renowned Korean Taekwondo performance team K-Tigers visits CINA for a special demonstration and community show.
US Open Championship
CINA instructor Julia Vasconcelos competes at the US Open Taekwondo Championship in Las Vegas.
Cultural Trip to South Korea
CINA delegation travels to South Korea for cultural exchange and Taekwondo training.
Diego Pereira Joins CINA
Brazil National Team Coach Diego Pereira joins CINA to strengthen the competitive program.
NJ State Championship — 10 Gold
CINA athletes win 10 gold medals at the NJ State Taekwondo Championship.
USA Nationals
CINA athletes compete at the USA Taekwondo National Championships.
WTA Tri-State Championship
CINA participates in the World Taekwondo America Tri-State Championship.
KCON NYC Performance
CINA performs at KCON NYC — the largest Korean culture convention in North America.
NJ State Demonstration Team
CINA establishes the official NJ State Taekwondo Demonstration Team.
Dr. Flagg & 13th Avenue Elementary Schools
CINA expands programming to Dr. Alma E. Flagg and Thirteenth Avenue elementary schools — first elementary school programs.
Eagle Academy Boxing
Boxing program launched at Eagle Academy in partnership with the school.
Shakur Stevenson — WBO World Champion
CINA-connected boxer Shakur Stevenson wins the WBO World Championship, trained by CINA coach Willie Moses.
Rutgers-Newark Athletics Partnership
CINA establishes programming partnership with Rutgers University-Newark Athletics.
NBOE Vendor Status
CINA becomes an approved vendor with the Newark Board of Education.
13th Avenue Pre-K Program
Taekwondo programming extended to Pre-K students at 13th Avenue School.
East Hanover Partnership
CINA establishes Taekwondo programming partnership with East Hanover Township.
COVID-19 Community Response
CINA pivots to community support — meals distribution, food drives, and virtual programming to serve Newark families during the pandemic.
CINA Cultural Center Opens
CINA opens its Cultural Center at 269 Oliver Street, Newark — establishing a permanent home for programming.
Sugarbert Boxing Championship
CINA boxer competes in the Sugarbert Boxing Championship.
USA Boxing Gym Established
CINA establishes an official USA Boxing-affiliated gym at the Oliver Street Cultural Center.
Fight for Film Program
Filmmaking and media production program launched for Newark youth, featuring SAG stunt performers.
East Hanover Studio
CINA opens a second studio location in East Hanover, NJ.
Hamilton Star Visit
Actor Okieriete Onaodowan from the Broadway production Hamilton visits CINA for a community engagement event.
I Have a Dream Foundation MOU
Memorandum of Understanding signed with the I Have a Dream Foundation to serve Newark youth.
NewLabor Partnership
Partnership established with NewLabor to expand CINA's community reach.
NJ Diamond Gloves Champion
CINA boxer wins the NJ Diamond Gloves Championship.
College Path Mentorship Launched
College Readiness Preparation program launched in partnership with New York Academy — SAT/ACT tutoring, boot camps, and community service.
Ballet Program
CINA launches a formal ballet program, expanding performing arts offerings for Newark youth.
Data Science High School
First school-day Taekwondo PE class in Newark Public Schools history — launched at Data Science High School.
AAU State Championship
CINA athletes compete in the AAU State Championship.
The Fearless Three — Movie Premiere
CINA-produced film premieres at Newark Cityplex — featuring Newark youth as writers, directors, and stunt actors.
NJ Golden Gloves Champion
CINA boxer Carina Pereira wins the NJ Golden Gloves Championship.
Boxing Gym Expansion
Boxing gym expanded to over 2,000 square feet at the Oliver Street Cultural Center.
Rutgers Programs Return
Women's Self Defense, Stress Relief Fitness, and new Olympic Taekwondo Program return at Rutgers-Newark.
Community Partnerships Formalized
MOUs signed with NewLabor, Cruzeiro USA, Esperanza Azteca. Partnerships with Family Service League, Save of Essex County, East Ward Community Center, and National Charity League.
Newark Board of Education Contract
CINA secures exclusive district contract with the Newark Board of Education, becoming the exclusive physical enrichment partner for afterschool programming across Newark Public Schools.
44 Elementary School Expansion
CINA expands Taekwondo programming to 44 Newark Public Schools elementary afterschool sites — becoming the largest school-based martial arts program in the NPS system.
1,500+ Students Served Annually
Program reaches over 1,500 students served annually across all NPS afterschool sites.
City of Summit Partnership
CINA establishes partnership with the City of Summit to provide special needs Taekwondo programming at their recreation center — expanding beyond Newark for inclusive programming.
44th School Site
Program expands to 44 Newark Public School sites.
Rutgers-Newark Cornwall Center Partnership
Multi-year partnership formalized with the Joseph C. Cornwall Center for Metropolitan Studies at Rutgers University-Newark, led by Director Marquise Guzman — spanning Taekwondo, ballet, theater, dance, film, and boxing.
College Path Mentorship Concluded
Three-year College Readiness Preparation program concludes after serving Newark youth with SAT/ACT tutoring, boot camps, and community service opportunities (2021–2024).
Essex County Local Arts Program Grant
CINA receives FY2025 Essex County Local Arts Program Grant — state-funded through the NJ State Council on the Arts. First government arts grant awarded to CINA.
FY2027 CDS Applications Submitted
Congressionally Directed Spending applications submitted to Senator Andy Kim and Senator Cory Booker for DEFENDER Taekwondo Anti-Bullying Curriculum Expansion.
Achelis & Bodman Foundation LOI
Letter of Inquiry submitted to the Achelis & Bodman Foundation for general operating support.
Victoria Foundation Introduction
Warm introduction to Victoria Foundation Senior Strategy Officer facilitated through NewLabor partnership.
Comcast NBCUniversal Local Impact Grant
Application eligible under Youth Education & Empowerment for unrestricted general operating support.
Essex County Local Arts Program Grant
CINA receives second consecutive Essex County Local Arts Program Grant — demonstrating sustained government arts funding support.
DEFENDER Curriculum — Initial Implementation
CINA begins initial implementation of its proprietary DEFENDER anti-bullying and SEL curriculum across 14 Newark elementary schools (Spring 2026), with full district integration planned for Fall 2026.
DEFENDER Summer Intensive Planned
15 summer feeder sites serving students from all 44 elementary schools; 10 consecutive days of DEFENDER programming.
Essex County Arts Advisory Board
Founder Vinicius Paiva appointed and sworn in as member of the Essex County Arts and Culture Advisory Board (March 25, 2026).
ILEF Evaluation Partnership
Independent program evaluation launched through ILEF (UN ECOSOC-accredited NGO) using validated Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) instrument.
Senator Booker Meeting
Senator Booker's appropriations team schedules meeting to discuss CINA's CDS request — a strong positive signal for federal funding.
Easter Basket Giveaway
Community services launch — Easter Basket Giveaway at 269 Oliver Street, April 4, 2026, serving families with children ages 2–12.
Website Relaunch
Complete rebuild of CINA's web presence at cinanj.org — grant-ready, funder-facing digital platform with DEFENDER dedicated page, impact data, and financial transparency.
Girls Boxing Initiative
Girls boxing program launching summer 2026 at Oliver Street — establishing track record for NJ OAG Gender Specific Services Program (CY2027 cycle).