ORLANDO, Fla. — United Arts of Central Florida is proud to announce that President & CEO Jennifer Evins has been named the 2025 Hispanic Community Champion at the Don Quijote Awards, presented by the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando and Prospera.
The Don Quijote Awards recognize individuals and organizations who embody the vision, courage, and determination of the iconic literary character. Jennifer Evins is being honored for her outstanding leadership in advancing and celebrating Central Florida’s Hispanic community through the arts.
Said Evins, “I am deeply honored to be named the 2025 Hispanic Community Champion by the Don Quijote Awards. This recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects the vibrant and powerful Hispanic cultures that help shape Central Florida into one of the most inspiring regions in the country.”
Since joining United Arts in 2021, Jennifer has championed initiatives that create equitable opportunities for Hispanic artists and organizations to thrive. Under her leadership, United Arts approved a strategic plan in 2022 that strengthened representation and investment in global cultures throughout Central Florida’s arts sector.
Key accomplishments include:
- Launching the Board Leadership Pipeline to connect and train candidates who reflect all of Central Florida’s communities for arts board positions.
- Contracting more than 100 local musicians through DTO Live! and providing residencies and gallery opportunities for Hispanic artists.
- Growing investment in Hispanic-led organizations from three project-based grants to 24 multi-year awards supporting nine organizations.
- Featuring Hispanic artists and programs over 250 times in Artistry Magazine, which reaches 75,000 readers each issue.
Jennifer’s community commitment began shortly after arriving in Orlando, when she joined the Hispanic Chamber and City of Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolón on a mission trip to Puerto Rico. That experience deepened her dedication to investing in Hispanic arts and culture across Central Florida.
In 2024, she collaborated with BOLD Hispanic Marketing Agency on a bilingual campaign, Art es Nuestro Idioma, which increased digital engagement by 47%. She has also represented Central Florida on national platforms, including the Grantmakers in the Arts National Convention in Puerto Rico.
“The richness of Central Florida’s Hispanic community, its stories, its heritage, and its vision, strengthens every corner of our cultural landscape,” said Evins, “I am proud that United Arts can play a role in ensuring those stories continue to be shared, supported, and elevated for generations to come.”
