There’s something about Andrés Acosta Ardila. Whoever meets him can fall immediately in love through his playful spirit and vulnerability. Andrés is a Colombian immigrant who moved to Central Florida with his parents in 1999. He is also a veteran of the United States Navy. Two things he wears proudly. I wasn’t surprised to learn Andrés was recognized as one of the Watermark’s Most Remarkable People of 2021. Those who know him best say Andrés has been remarkable his entire life.
Andrés is a servant leader.
Andrés doesn’t shy away from sharing his personal experience to help others and taking action to address broken systems. This past year, Andrés has played a critical role as Contigo Fund’s Community relations manager, supporting and building leadership within Central Florida’s LGBTQ+, Black, Latinx, immigrant community and other communities of color. During the earlier stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and the historic racial justice uprisings for Black lives, Andrés took immediate and thoughtful action.
Andrés focused his energy on launching and supporting, through Contigo, the Central Florida LGBTQ+ Mutual Aid Network and COVID Relief Fund supporting over 1,000 individuals/families with direct cash assistance and the LGBTQ+ COVID Emergency Fund supporting over a dozen LGBTQ+ grassroots groups with grants. Andrés also had a critical role in launching and supporting the All Black Lives Fund supporting Central Florida’s Black-led LGBTQ+ community organizations, particularly those led by and for trans women of color. Through his leadership, Andrés made it possible for Contigo Fund to put over $600,000 into the hands of those who needed it most in 2021.
Andrés shows up for people and embodies our best values, working with an intersectional approach, prioritizing cross-community and -movement building while lowering barriers to access. Andrés lives by social justice, supporting projects and efforts that center communities at the margins.
Another critical role Andrés played was organizing Contigo Fund’s annual Orlando Strong Symposium. This year, Andrés brought together nonprofit, public, corporate and philanthropic leaders for a series of conversations focused on the future, responding to the long-lasting disparities in the LGBTQ+ community caused by COVID-19 and racial injustice. Honest discussions on the attacks on our democracy, growing public health, the safety issue of racism and gender discrimination, and its unique implications for Black LGBTQ+ communities.
The City of Orlando has supported Contigo’s work year after year and, in part, because of Andrés great ability to bring people together, build bridges and make connections. Mayor Buddy Dyer and Commissioners of the City of Orlando proclaimed February 1, 2021 “All Black Lives Day” and July 30, 2021 as “Orlando Strong Symposium Day.” Andrés surprised us all by organizing with the City for Orlando’s downtown skyline lights to shine Orange, in honor of Contigo’s diverse community of LGBTQ+ leaders and social justice allies.
Andrés brings visibility to those most often invisibilized by society.
Andres’s work doesn’t end there; he is also a nationally recognized HIV advocate. His work of Linkages/Enlaces, provided in English and Spanish, is designed to offer policies and initiatives to benefit people living with HIV. During the 2021 pilot program, ten organizations that directly impact more than 805,000 people went through the training supported by Maven Leadership Collective.
When Andres isn’t busy saving the world, you can catch him spending time with his adorable puppy, Grizzly, trying out new things and adventures. As 2021 ends, it was indeed the year of Andrés Acosta Ardila! Through it all, Andrés had and continues to be there for all of us. I am thankful that Andrés is part of The Contigo Fund family. And we are all truly fortunate to call him a fellow Central Floridian!
To view the full list of Watermark’s Remarkable People of 2021, click here.
