“The word that comes to me is empowerment. Hispanic Alliance doesn’t just do good things—they empower the people they work with and the people they serve.”
For Orlando Corona, art isn’t just a passion—it’s a bridge. Between cultures. Between classrooms and communities. Between who he was at 10 years old, newly arrived in Greenville, and who he is today: a teaching artist, mentor, and one of Hispanic Alliance’s most dedicated volunteers.
Born in Guanajuato, Mexico, Orlando moved to South Carolina at age 10. Now a full-time professional artist with a studio out of Greenville Center for the Creative Arts, he’s bringing creativity into classrooms and communities across the Upstate.
“Once you’re in, you’re family,” he says. “You know you’re going to keep coming back.”
Over time, his role evolved into that of a contributor, mentor, and advocate. Whether leading art workshops at La Fiesta, supporting resource fairs, or simply showing up for others, he’s become a trusted thread in the HA network.
“It’s special that a city like Greenville—smaller than Atlanta or Charlotte—has something like the Hispanic Alliance. It gives our community a real voice.”
From salsa nights to legal clinics to curated art exhibits, Orlando sees HA as more than a nonprofit. It’s a platform. A launchpad. A place where people don’t just receive help—they gain power to create change.
A Vision for the Next 15 Years
When asked about HA’s future, Orlando’s dream is both practical and bold: a physical space where culture and opportunity meet.
“In 15 years, I’d love to see HA in a big building—like an arts center or casa—where people can take classes, explore their roots, and find support.”
It’s not just a building he’s imagining. It’s a home. A hub. A place where the next generation of leaders, artists, and advocates can discover what Orlando discovered: that their heritage isn’t something to hide—it’s fuel for empowerment.
Why This Work Matters
Orlando’s story reflects the very heart of Hispanic Alliance’s mission: to build spaces where individuals don’t just survive—they thrive. Where connection leads to opportunity. Where showing up once turns into coming back again and again, because you’ve found your people.
As HA celebrates 15 years of building tables where everyone belongs, voices like Orlando’s remind us why this work matters—and who it’s for.
Your gift ensures that the next young artist, the next family seeking resources, the next leader finding their voice—has a place to call home.
