Mário Lisboa Theodoro, an impactful economist and professor at the University of Brasília, has passed away, leaving behind a significant legacy in the debate on racism and racial inequality in Brazil. Graduating in economics from UnB in 1980 and later obtaining his doctorate from the University of Paris 1 in 1998, Theodoro authored several influential works, including 'A Sociedade Desigual: Racismo e Branquitude na Formação do Brasil' and 'Desigualdade Racial e Políticas Públicas no Brasil', which focused on the impacts of systemic inequality in Brazilian society.

Throughout his career, Theodoro held crucial roles, including director of International Economic and Political Studies at Ipea from 2007 to 2011, followed by being the executive secretary of the Secretariat for Policies to Promote Racial Equality during Dilma Rousseff's administration until 2013. His institutional efforts were vital in developing affirmative action policies, most notably the Cotas Law enacted in 2012, aimed at improving access to higher education for marginalized groups.

The loss of Mário Theodoro not only reflects the passing of a dedicated academic but also signifies a gap in the ongoing struggle against racial injustices in Brazil. As discussions around racial inequality gain traction, his contributions to policy-making and academic discourse will likely continue to influence future generations of scholars and activists advocating for a more equitable society in Brazil.