National Hispanic Media Coalition 2023 Impact Awards Honorees
The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) announced its lineup of honorees for its annual Impact Awards Gala on Friday, October 27, 2023, at 6:00 PM PST at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA.
Chef and philanthropist Aarón Sánchez, director, writer, and producer Ángel Manuel Soto, actor and producer Eugenio Derbez, actress and producer Gina Torres, actor and Hip-Hop artist Jharrel Jerome, philanthropist Jessica Sarowitz, and Founder & CEO of Rizos Curls Julissa Prado round out the 2023 honorees who are truly making an impact, shifting societal narratives, and setting an example for Latine communities.
The celebratory evening will be co-hosted by actor & activist Francia Raisa and entertainment & sports host and speaker MJ Acosta-Ruiz. The event will also feature additional appearances from U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (D-TX), presenter Gloria Calderón Kellett, Harvey Guillén, Yvett Merino, and many others in a night celebrating the incredible contributions of Latine individuals creating a more inclusive society.
“I am so honored to celebrate this year’s honorees for their dedication and contributions to shaping an inclusive and diverse world. NHMC’s mission this year is that Latinos are the rule, not the exception, and these honorees truly embody that – occupying any and all spaces to ensure our voice as a community is being heard,” said Brenda Victoria Castillo, President & CEO of the NHMC. “Together I hope we can stand united to continue empowering and uplifting our community and advocating for equitable opportunities.”
A full list of honorees follows below:
- Aarón Sánchez – Master Creator Impact Award
- Ángel Manuel Soto – Outstanding Film Director Impact Award
- Eugenio Derbez – Social Impact Award
- Eva Longoria – Icon Impact Award
- Gina Torres – Our Voice Impact Award
- Jharrel Jerome – Next Generation Impact Award
- Jessica Sarowitz – Visionary Impact Award
- Julissa Prado – For the People Impact Award
- Miguel – Powerhouse Impact Award
Additional honorees, participants, and talent for this year’s gala will be announced at a later date.
This year, the NHMC also announced the culmination of their first-ever Visionary Alliance. The Visionary Alliance consists of some of the most dynamic and celebrated Latine voices in the creative space who are aligned in their support of NHMC’s mission, innovative programming, and advocacy. To learn more about the NHMC’s Visionary Alliance and it’s members visit www.nhmc.org/visionary-alliance
As we continue with this year’s awards, the NHMC recognizes the impact of these unprecedented times on the entertainment industry, and its particular impact on Latine creatives and all creatives of color. The NHMC is a civil rights organization at its core, and the Impact Awards Gala was created to specifically celebrate the power of Latine individuals using their voices to uplift their communities. That mission and focus has not changed, and the NHMC believes that now more than ever, those voices must continue to be heard.
We believe all creatives should be fairly compensated for their work, and urge all parties to come to the table and work together to come to an agreement that is equitable, elevates underrepresented voices, and paves the way for the future of the industry.
PROGRAM UPDATE
The National Hispanic Media Coalition(NHMC) announced today that producer, director, entrepreneur, and artistic legend Eva Longoria is slated to receive the Icon Award during the annual Impact Awards Gala on Friday, October 27, 2023, at the Vibiana in the Historic Core of Downtown Los Angeles. Hosted by Francia Raisa and MJ Acosta-Ruiz, the annual celebration honors the incredible contributions of Latine individuals creating a more inclusive society.
Named by People Magazine as one of the “Women Changing the World,” Longoria is also the co-founder of Latino Victory Fund, a movement that builds power in the Latinx community to ensure their voices and values are reflected at every level of government and in the policies that drive our country forward, and Poderistas, a digital lifestyle community that inspires, affirms and informs Latinas to leverage their power in a way that transforms their lives, families and community.
One of Variety’s “10 Directors to Watch of 2023,” Longoria also notably directed the tremendously successful Flamin’ Hot, telling the story of the Mexican-American janitor who invented Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Most recently, Longoria joined forces with leading entertainment executive and entrepreneur Cris Abrego to launch Hyphenate Media Group, a new media holding company and premium content studio that aims to provide greater financial participation for makers, creators, talent, and entrepreneurs, with a focus on inclusive storytelling.
Longoria joins a star-studded lineup of honorees for this year’s gala, promising to be a memorable celebration of Latine excellence and creativity. Last week, the NHMC announced prominent R&B artist Miguel will receive the Powerhouse Impact Award for his achievements in music.
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About the Impact Awards:
The Impact Awards Gala is just one part of the NHMC’s overall mission to spotlight the importance of accurate, fair, and positive representation in media, including advocating for an increased number of Latino writers on major networks, the increased representation of diverse talent on major television and film sets, and educating media and industry executives on the variances of Latino culture.
Past Impact Award honorees include George and Mayan Lopez, Colman Domingo, Francia Raisa, Yvett Merino, Salma Hayek Pinault, Rosie Perez, Matthew Lopez, Tessa Thompson, America Ferrera, Jay Hernandez, Ann Sarnoff, Dany Garcia, Isabella Gomez, Amy Lippman, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Ozzie Areu, James Cameron, Rosario Dawson, Zoe Saldana, Danny Trejo, Diego Luna, Benjamin Bratt, Robert Rodriguez, and more.
About The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC)
NHMC is a woman-led non-profit civil and human rights organization that was founded to eliminate hate, discrimination, and racism toward Latino communities.
We educate and increase Latino visibility, from our policy work in Washington, D.C., to our media advocacy work in Hollywood, where we collaborate, create, and connect Latino talent with the entertainment industry. At NHMC, we focus on all forms of media because it is one of the most influential and powerful institutions that shape society’s attitudes, values, and beliefs.
We have a number of initiatives dedicated to building bridges within our community, including our Series Scriptwriters Program, which has helped launch the careers of more than 200 Latinx writers. For over ten years, our Latinx Stream Showcase has also helped launch 300+ Latinx creators’ careers in front and behind the camera. The program showcases 4-5 short films written by, starred in, and directed by Latinos.
We lead the work to eliminate online hate and disinformation across media platforms. We advocate for the Affordable Connectivity Program, Lifeline Program, Net Neutrality protections, and closing the digital divide for Latino and other marginalized communities. NHMC works in partnership with other social justice organizations to safeguard democracy in the United States of America.
