Amor Isabel Hernandez Mendo is a passionate community builder, entrepreneur, and advocate for inclusion and cultural connection in Windsor, Ontario. Originally from Veracruz, Mexico, Amor has called Canada home for the past 25 years. Her journey is rooted in a legacy of hospitality and generosity passed down from her parents, who welcomed travelers into their home with food, warmth, and kindness -values that continue to shape her life and work.
In 2018, Amor fulfilled a long-held dream by founding Café Amor & Art, a vibrant and inclusive community space that blends her love for coffee, culture, and creativity. Her vision was to create a place where people from all cultures, nations, and beliefs could gather to celebrate friendship, family, traditions, and life itself.
More than just a café, Café Amor & Art is a sanctuary where people feel seen, heard, and valued. Through art exhibitions, cultural events, wellness workshops, and community programs, Amor has cultivated a space that fosters dialogue, healing, and connection. With two locations in Windsor and Belle River, the café continues to grow as a hub for community engagement and cultural celebration. Her leadership helps the community shine, sparking creativity and igniting a sense of belonging.
Amor’s leadership is marked by empathy, generosity, and a deep commitment to empowering others. She mentors young creatives, collaborates with grassroots organizations, and opens her doors to local artists and crafters - offering them a platform to share their work and stories. The café also supports charitable causes and educational programs at the University of Windsor and St. Clair College.
“We are very honoured to be viewed as peace promoters,” Amor shares. “The values that the café is founded on -hospitality, tolerance, inclusiveness, sharing, teaching, and community building -are the values my parents taught me. We embrace our customers and employees as part of our family and support our community through workshops, reading and language clubs, live music, and festivals.”
Amor’s work builds bridges across differences, bringing people together through shared experiences, storytelling, and the universal comfort of coffee. Her dedication to creating safe, inclusive spaces has made a lasting impact on Windsor’s social fabric, inspiring others to lead with kindness and build communities rooted in peace and belonging. Amor’s work truly embodies the Y’s vision of being greater together.