Latino Excellence Honored at 2025 NHMC Impact Awards Gala in Beverly Hills
The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) brought together some of the most influential names in Latino entertainment for the 2025 NHMC Impact Awards Gala, held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Co-hosted by actor and comedian Al Madrigal and actress Jessica Marie Garcia, the star-studded event celebrated figures in media and entertainment driving accurate and inclusive portrayals of the Latino community.
Among this year’s standout honorees were Acapulco (Authentic Storytelling Impact Award), Cobra Kai (Ensemble Impact Award), Cris Abrego (Leadership Impact Award), Daniella Pineda (Outstanding Performance Impact Award), Isabela Merced (Next Generation Impact Award), Phil Lord (Visionary Impact Award), and wrestling icon Rey Mysterio (Legend Impact Award).
Highlights from the evening’s moving tributes
Xolo Maridueña accepted the Ensemble Impact Award for Netflix’s Cobra Kai, emphasizing the series’ power to connect generations: “One of the most pivotal and impactful things continues to be the connections with people who watch the show.”
Isabela Merced, honored with the Next Generation Impact Award, expressed appreciation for the strength and unity of the Latino community: “It feels like everyone’s win does not mean somebody else’s loss.”
WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio was recognized with the Legend Impact Award and used his speech to underscore his lifelong dedication to representation: “Whether it was performing in front of millions or mentoring the next generation, I always tried to show that our stories matter.”
Industry leaders reflect on legacy and representation
Cris Abrego’s acceptance of the Leadership Impact Award resonated deeply, referencing the Chicano movement and calling for renewed purpose during a challenging era in the entertainment industry: “It must reach beyond you; it must outlive us. It must change the industry we leave behind.”
AppleTV+’s Acapulco team, represented by actors Camila Perez and Enrique Arrizon, as well as creator Austin Winsberg, stressed the value of authentic Latin voices in storytelling: “That authenticity started with powerful voices in the writers’ room.”
Daniella Pineda, recognized for her roles in The Accountant 2 and the upcoming Dora the Explorer film, thanked those who cast her in unconventional Latina roles, embracing the complexities of antiheroes and villains in mainstream narratives.
Phil Lord, accepting the Visionary Impact Award, urged empathy and inclusivity through art: “What if we treated every immigrant like family? How enriched would this country be?”
NHMC President and CEO Brenda Victoria Castillo closed the evening by celebrating the multicultural reality of the Latino experience in the U.S., asserting: “We are not defined by a single story… our diversity is what makes us unstoppable.”
The 2025 NHMC Impact Awards is one part of the coalition’s broader mission to reshape media through advocacy, representation, and education. With backing from industry powerhouses like Apple TV+, Netflix, T-Mobile, and Warner Bros. Discovery, NHMC continues to lead the fight for Latino visibility across Hollywood and beyond.
