SF State alumnus Aniefre Essien is a man of many talents. From being a published author, to a savvy businessman, to an advocate for at-risk teens in East Oakland, recent SF State graduate Essien is not afraid of turning his dreams into realities.

Essien's first published book "Capoeira Beyond Brazil, From a Slave Tradition to an International Way of Life" was released on October 27, 2008. The book explores the internationalization of Capoeira, a Brazilian form of Martial Arts Essien has spent the past 12 years learning and teaching.

"The book really began and ended at [SF] State," Essien said.

Essien began studying Business Marketing as a freshman at SF State in 1996. In addition to his business classes, Essien took his first Capoeira class, where he found his passion and talent for the art. "I love capoeira because it allows me to discover myself and expand my capabilities- both mentally and physically," said Essien. "It's freedom."

Essien soon took a leave of absence from school to pursue his passion. He started the Baka Cultural Arts Center in East Oakland, which concentrates on bettering the lives of underprivileged children through the teaching of Capoeira. The Baka Center became an official non-profit organization in 2000.

"The focus of the program is at-risk youth," Essien said. "It gives them something positive, prepares them for college."

Essien also started teaching adult Capoeira classes and continued training himself. In 2001, he won two gold medals at Copa das Americas, an international Capoeira tournament. He won two more gold medals in 2002 and became the highest ranking American in the International Capoeira Federation.

In 2006, Essien decided to return to SF State to finish his marketing degree. He also decided to begin writing his book.

"The book explores the extent in which Capoeira has become a part of so many people in so many cultures," explained Essien. "One night while laying in bed not able to sleep, the concept of the book came to me and I thought it would be a benefit to the capoeira world in particular, but the broader world as well. Capoeira is a metaphor for life, so anyone who reads this book will find something that speaks to them."

Essien worked on his book diligently, but very few people around him knew he was writing a book. "No one contacted me to write a book about Capoeira, I just decided to sit down and do it," Essien said. "I believed in the idea and I just started pecking away at my computer. Only my brothers and a couple of close friends knew I was writing it, to most of my friends it was a surprise."

Just one year after Essien started writing his book, it was published by Random House Publishing Inc. in the summer of 2007.

"I'm not formally trained as a writer but it's something I always thought I would do," Essien said.

"I am very pleased that [Essien] has written such an interesting and informative book," said Essien's former marketing professor, Astrid Proboll.

Essien finished his business marketing degree at SF State in 2008. "He was a real team player and you would never know how deep he was unless you got a chance to talk with him," said marketing professor Bruce Robertson.

Because of his involvement in the SF State Marketing Federation and networking, Essien had a job waiting for him at the Clorox Corporation when he graduated.

"[Aniefre] is one of those students who makes SFSU proud," said Essien's former professor, Minu Kumar.

To Essien, not trying to accomplish one's goals is a fate much worse than failing. "I'm not ambitious in the sense of greed or driven to acquire material things, but I was taught to shoot for the stars because you might land on the moon," explained Essien. "I'm not paralyzed by fear of failing if I go after a goal. If anything, I'm afraid of failing because I didn't try to accomplish my dreams."

Essien is currently working as a marketing executive for Clorox but hasn't given up his love for Capoeira or writing.

"I definitely have a few more ideas for books floating around in my head," said Essien.