G.R.C.E.S. Leandro de Itaquera (SP)

G.R.C.E.S. Leandro de Itaquera is a samba school from the eastern outskirts of São Paulo, founded in 1977. It's known for samba-enredos that often take up social themes, like education and cultural identity, rather than sticking to purely celebratory carnival topics. Their 1999 samba-enredo 'Educação, um Salto Para a Liberdade Por Paulo Freire' paid tribute to the Brazilian educator Paulo Freire, which was an unusual choice for a carnival parade at the time.

Their song titles give a sense of what they're about: 'Samba-Enredo 2013 - O Leão Guerreiro Mostra Sua Força! É a Garra e a Bravura do Negro no Quilombo Leandro de Itaquera' and 'Samba-Enredo 1992 - Batuque, a Força de Uma Raça' both speak to Black Brazilian history and pride. Another, '2003 - Qualidade de Vida - Direito do Povo', addresses public health and social rights.

They've worked with composers like Marquinho PQD and Valtinho Botafogo, and singers including Tinga and Neguinho da Beija-Flor. The school has recorded many samba-enredos over the decades, from 'Babalotim' in 1989 to 'Samba-Enredo 2022 - No Ecoar Dos Tambores e No Feitiço da Leandro'. Their approach has sometimes sparked debate, but they've kept at it, using the carnival platform to talk about things that matter in their community.