About Us
“An international experience should reflect the entire system of enslaving and trading in African peoples, as well as the cultural legacy of this.”

The idea for FullCircle arose from a conversation between Julia Michaels and the founder of the Instituto de Pesquisa e Memória Pretos Novos in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Merced Guimarães’ unusual museum is dedicated to the mortal remains of enslaved Africans who died on arrival in Rio. That 2019 interaction resulted in Julia adopting Merced’s idea that an international experience should reflect the entire system of enslaving and trading in African peoples, as well as the cultural legacy of this.
Julia subsequently partnered with Mike Wittenstein, a friend she met when studying Portuguese in Rio, in 1978. Because of Covid, he suggested a virtual multidimensional (Web3) approach. FullCircle is the first to bring this geography and history together virtually, expanding our understanding of the past, its legacy and where we go from here.

A Quilt Can Hug a Lot of People
Back in 2021 (early days) we commissioned a quilt from Ed Johnetta Miller, whose gorgeous art hangs in three Smithsonian museums. Quilt storytelling and hugging have everything to do with FullCircle.
Photos by Christine Breslin and Alex Kent
Meet the team
The FullCircle team includes diverse thinkers and doers—each with unique skills and a positive worldview—and all with a passion for intergenerational storytelling.
Governing Board

Julia Michaels, MA, MFA
Author, journalist, playwright with a focus on Rio de Janeiro, social entrepreneur. 5 languages. 40-year Brazil resident.

Mike Wittenstein, MBA
An American consultant and creative based in Atlanta. He has learned to create experiences that connect people across cultures and geographies using stories and technology.

Pedro Berto, BA
Former favela resident, investment/entrepreneurship impact enthusiast with experience in venture capital funds. Founded Favela without Coronavirus, currently co-founder of Favela Summit, to break favela poverty cycle via innovation.

Julia Michaels, MA, MFA
Author, journalist, playwright with a focus on Rio de Janeiro, social entrepreneur. 5 languages. 40-year Brazil resident.

Mike Wittenstein, MBA
An American consultant and creative based in Atlanta. He has learned to create experiences that connect people across cultures and geographies using stories and technology.

Pedro Berto, BA
Pedro Berto, BA Former favela resident, investment/entrepreneurship impact enthusiast with experience in venture capital funds. Founded Favela without Coronavirus, currently co-founder of Favela Summit, to break favela poverty cycle via innovation.
Wisdom Circle

Luisa Calixto, BA

Washington Fajardo, BA

Shamichael Hallman, MS

Chantal James, BA

Tonia East Phanor, PhD

Claudia Porto, MBA

Geraldine Moriba

Jasmine Reid BA, MA, PhD

Maria Moraes Robinson, MBA

Simon Robinson, MA

Kathryn R. Smith, MBA
Partners

Michael Henley, CFRE

Caron Johnson

Andrea Pratt-Smith, PMP, PMI-ACP, CSM

Karen Routt, MBA

Emmanuel Umoh, PhD, PMP

Randi Yoder, MBA
Make FullCircle Real
Now that you’ve imagined along with us, help us make FullCircle real.



