Since opening their first center in Rio in 1999, CUFA has opened bases in poor urban areas more than 20 cities around the country. While each center is financially independent and run by a local staff, the established bases offer new centers the organizational support needed for them to get off the ground.

Seated inside CUFA's dimly lit theater we discuss with Bill, his views on the state of the Brazilian economy, sitting Brazilian president Lula's second term, the launch of his new book and his take on the 2002 film City of God.

Bill spoke of president Lula's accomplishments with guarded optimism. "Brazilian society's current racial inequalities are rooted in the country's history of slavery. Lula's government will not resolve this enormous issue during its two terms. However, Lula has demonstrated an ability to effectively make smaller advances in this area. For example, Brazil's Policia Militar [the Brazilian equivalent of the FBI], which historically has focused its attention on the country's poor blacks, is, for the first time in the nation's history, apprehending white collar criminals and corrupt politicians," he said.