He studied social sciences at Rio de Janeiro State University at the beginning of the 1980s, during which he was also director of the National Union of Students.

He earned a master's degree in business administration from the Instituto Alberto Luiz Coimbra of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ).

[7] He was a candidate to become senator for the state of Rio de Janeiro in 2002, receiving 1.8 million votes, reaching 4th place, ahead of established politicians such as Artur da Távola and Leonel Brizola.

[7] In 2007, he was responsible for the installation of a monument dedicated to João Cândido, the leader of the Revolt of the Lash, in the gardens of the Museu da República, behind Catete Palace and facing the Atlantic Ocean.

[7] In 2008, when he was contemplating becoming a candidate for mayor of Rio de Janeiro, he was chosen by the federal government to become the Special Secretariat for Policies to Promote Racial Equality.