#tbt: Smiles that Transform: My Journey with the Corredor Verde in Santana
- Alex Gomes
- Sep 4, 2025
- 3 min read
How my participation, audiovisual production, and music contributed to a sustainability, safety, and community unity project alongside Jorge Ifraim and the Movimento Santana VIVA.
Throughout my career, I have had the honor of participating in initiatives that concretely impact people's lives, and one experience that always stood out was the Corredor Verde with Bike Lane on Avenida Cruzeiro do Sul in Santana, São Paulo.
At the time, the area faced significant challenges: a fencing project threatened to displace homeless people and divide the urban fabric, ignoring the opportunity to create a space for leisure, culture, and community life. I knew that every action could make a difference, and I decided to get involved.
My Contribution and Involvement
At the time, I was leading the now-defunct TV Shop Legal, a project I created in Japan, and using my artistic name Alessandro Panda. I also produced TV programs for Record Internacional Japan and IPCTV, experiences that allowed me to develop audiovisual content with quality and social impact, strengthening the visibility of community initiatives like the Corredor Verde.
I had the opportunity to produce a feature on the project and interview Jorge Ifraim, highlighting the social impact and community engagement. Additionally, I granted the rights to my song “Brasil Criança”, which accompanied the video report (watch here, published on 08/08/2014), conveying hope, joy, and transformation for all who visited the Corredor Verde.
I also participated in strategic meetings, discussing improvements that could be implemented, always focusing on community well-being, safety, and strengthening social cohesion. For me, projects like this go far beyond infrastructure: they are about smiles, family bonding, and quality of life.
At the time, the video received excellent feedback from the participating community, and was even praised by Jorge Ifraim, the person responsible for the entire initiative and a great leader of this movement. I must admit I felt joy and also a certain apprehension given the responsibility of being part of such a significant project, even knowing that I am just a small brick in this environment of transformation created by him and his followers. In the end, the one who came out truly grateful for everything was me, for having had the opportunity to contribute, learn, and be part of something so meaningful for society.
Jorge Ifraim and the Power of Community Leadership
The success of the Corredor Verde would not have been possible without Jorge Ifraim's leadership. Reelected multiple times as a counselor on the Conselho Participativo Municipal Santana-Tucuruvi, deputy director at FecomercioSP, and an entrepreneur committed to development and sustainability, Jorge has always brought a clear vision: “think global and act local.”
He proposed transforming the avenue's central strip into a complete Corredor Verde, with bike lanes, bike racks, walking paths, fitness areas, artistic lighting highlighting MAAU graffiti, bike patrolling, and security cameras. His vision united residents, merchants, authorities, and institutions, demonstrating that citizen participation is essential to transform urban spaces.
Results and Achievements
Through joint effort, the Corredor Verde became a reality:
650 meters of bike lane inaugurated on 19/07/2014;
Spaces for leisure, walking, and exercise;
Landscaping and cultural appreciation of MAAU graffiti;
Formal support from council members, FecomercioSP, OAB, Metro, and the local subprefecture;
Coverage by national and local media such as SBT, Rede Globo, O Estado de São Paulo, Folha de SP, and Metro News.
These results show that when the community mobilizes and committed leaders act, it is possible to create real and lasting impact.
Challenges and Continuity
Despite the achievements, much remains to be done: the installation of bike racks, artistic lighting, and expansion of the Corredor Verde are still pending. Challenges such as the demolition of the community security base in 2018, built by local entrepreneurs and envisioned by Movimento Santana VIVA, left the community without the planned structure for bike patrols.
These episodes reinforce that the pursuit of community well-being is ongoing, and each achievement depends on active societal participation.
Reflection and Personal Commitment
For me, this project was a lesson in how sensitivity, dedication, and engagement can transform people's lives. Whenever there is an initiative that benefits the population, promotes safety, mental health, and family unity, I will be present to contribute in some way, whether through communication, mobilization, culture, or practical action.
The Corredor Verde is more than an urban space: it is a symbol of hope, transformation, and unity, and my involvement in this process reinforces my commitment to always seek solutions that bring smiles, safety, and quality of life to everyone.
🥰🚀🔥 Smiles that Transform! Always!
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