When you stop by DaJen Eats Cafe & Creamery in Eatonville, you just might be greeted with an infectious smile and a cheerful, “hello, dahling.”

That’s Chef Jenn, the owner of this vegan restaurant with a Jamaican flair.

Jenneil Ross, who goes by Chef Jenn, is a Jamaican immigrant who came to the U.S. to study law at Warner University and eventually found her way into the kitchen via her passion for veganism.

Learn more about Chef Jenn’s story and her passion for plant-based cuisine. BTW, you may have heard of DaJen Eats before — it was the restaurant in the Citgo gas station on North Orange Blossom Trail.

This story is part four of our Immigrant Powered series. We previously met: QLatinx, a non-profit uniting Orlando’s LGBTQ Latinx community; Kostya Kimlat, a local magician who fooled Penn & Teller; and Dr. Anup Patel, a leading plastic and hand surgeon.

Immigrant Powered is a nonpartisan, grassroots initiative highlighting immigrant-powered businesses and organizations in our community. Request a sticker and show your support.

PRODUCED BY PULPTOWN CREATIVE STUDIO WITH IMMIGRANT POWERED

Before Black History Month ends next week we want to highlight two great events happening this weekend as part of the national African American Read-In initiative this Sunday. Both events start at 2 p.m.

At the Orlando Public Library, you can hear reading, poetry and music from some notable local names. Some of the folks doing readings for the crowd include Nerd Nite Orlando host Ricardo Williams, WESH anchor Jazmin Bailey and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. Find more info here.

And over in Winter Park, the library is teaming up with the Hannibal Square Heritage Center for a family-friendly day of reading that will feature books on heavier topics and some lighthearted reads. Head here for more information.

The saga of Dale Whittaker’s decision to resign from his post as UCF president was made official yesterday when the school’s board of trustees accepted his move.

Whittaker’s decision came after a contentious six-month fight over the school’s misuse of $38 million. The money was originally set aside as unspent operating funds for “general and educational expenses,” but the $38 million was instead used to construct an academic hall – the newly opened Trevor Colbourn Hall.

Board members voted to accept the decision but several of them expressed regrets over the move and praised Whittaker. Chairman Robert Garvy said, “Our loss will be some other great university’s gain.”

Whittaker also received plenty of support from students and even notable alumni, like state Rep. Anna Eskamani who tweeted that the controversy felt politically motivated: “It makes sense that a school like @UCF would be targeted by conservative leaders; a school in a blue county who opened the first early voting site on campus.”

The acting president, Thad Seymour Jr., is expected to lead the school for the next few months until a full-time replacement is hired.

In other news…

• This weekend you can enjoy some brunch in Sanford while also watching the town’s historic downtown area get some love. (Orlando Weekly)
• Wondering about those red bikes that have been popping up around the city? They’re part of Uber’s shift into the electric bike game. (Bungalower)
• Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to get cheap Canadian prescription drugs here in Florida, and he said Trump supports the plan. (Tampa Bay Times)

ONE MORE THING 👋

Pinching pennies waiting for that tax refund? Check out Orlando Date Night Guide’s list of 75 free things to do in Orlando and enjoy our City Beautiful this weekend.

See ya Monday,

— Pulptown