Hola America Media Group's Award-Winning 2025 and Big Plans for 2026
The year was filled with national awards and new ways to reach more readers across the Midwest. Next year will be even more exciting!
Hola America Media Group ended 2025 with a wall full of national awards, four brands and a fifth on the way, cementing its position as a leading voice for Latino communities across the Midwest. The Des Moines-based media company earned 12 awards from the National Association of Hispanic Publications (NAHP) in 2025, including three first-place honors for its JEFAS Latinas in Business Magazine in editorial excellence, design innovation and community impact. The publication, which profiles Latina entrepreneurs across Iowa, took first place in three categories: Outstanding Hispanic Magazine – Glossy; Outstanding Design – Magazine; and Outstanding Event for the 2024 Latina Business Excellence Summit.
JEFAS Magazine also earned a silver award for an outstanding business article written by editor-in-chief Christina Fernández-Morrow, whose profile of Afro–Costa Rican jewelry designer Paola Acuña exemplifies the magazine’s commitment to showcasing diversity within Latino communities. Hola America Media Group received additional awards for exceptional editorial content and photography. The José Martí Awards, considered the highest national honors for Hispanic media organizations, affirmed what readers already know: These stories matter.
The accolades come as Hola America Media Group continues to expand across the Midwest. Since 2024, website traffic to Hola America News has increased by 77.6 percent, sparking the creation of two additional websites dedicated to JEFAS Magazine and Hola Nebraska, the company’s newest brand. Hola Nebraska showcases news, profiles and achievements from across the Cornhusker State’s Latino community. It joins as part of a growing family of platforms that serve both English and Spanish readers. “Audiences are showing up, engaging and trusting us more. That momentum feels real and good,” said Caro Martinez, SEO specialist for Hola America Media Group.
In February 2026, the company will debut JEFAS Nebraska, highlighting Latina entrepreneurs throughout the state in both print and digital formats. The inaugural issue has already generated buzz in Nebraska’s business community, with a launch event planned for early 2026 and the third annual Latina Business Excellence Summit scheduled for the summer.
The 2025 all-day summit, held in August in Des Moines, marked a significant evolution from the previous year’s event, demonstrating the demand for spaces where Latina entrepreneurs can connect, learn and celebrate. Featured presenter Carolina Villareal, a national expert in digital branding from Voz Growth, shared tools to help attendees elevate their businesses. The summit also served as the launch event for JEFAS Magazine’s third issue featuring Iowa’s Latina entrepreneurs.
The community’s enthusiastic response fueled the creation of the JEFAS newsletter, an ongoing platform for business news and practical advice for established and aspiring business owners. The publication remains the only media outlet dedicated exclusively to Latina entrepreneurs across Iowa. “Having a platform for voices that aren’t always heard is something I’m truly proud of,” said Yari Contreras, executive assistant and digital manager for Hola America Media Group. With JEFAS Nebraska launching in February, the company is building a media ecosystem that centers Latinas’ contributions and makes their stories accessible far beyond their immediate communities.
“I hope 2026 will be a year full of new relationships, both personal and professional, that will take Hola America Media Group to another level. I want to see growth in our events and expand into new markets with JEFAS Magazine. I also hope to create more original content across our digital platforms,” said Erika Macias, publisher and president of Hola America Media Group. To maintain quality reporting, the media group plans to expand its team by adding more freelance writers, photographers and designers to support its award‑winning portfolio of publications. As it steps into 2026 with five brands, a dozen national honors and a growing team, Hola America Media Group is proving that Latino-led media can set the standard for excellence while staying rooted in community. “I’m deeply grateful for the 25 years of trust our readers, followers, partners, team members and collaborators have given us. This work isn’t easy, but it is an honor to do it, and their continued support is what keeps us moving forward,” reflected founder Tar Macias.
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