NHMC Impact: Washington DC

October 28, 2025

Washington D.C.

From left to right: Chairman Pete Aguilar, President and CEO of NHMC, Brenda Castillo, Pinterest’s Jasmine Vasquez, T-Mobile and NHMC Board Member, Joanna Diaz-Soffer, Keynote Speaker, Rep. Joaquin Castro, and Emcee, Maria Cardona

NATIONAL HISPANIC MEDIA COALITION RECOGNIZES ALLIES DURING ANNUAL WASHINGTON D.C. IMPACT AWARDS RECEPTION

Honorees included Chairman Pete Aguilar and Pinterest, with a keynote speech delivered by Congressman Joaquin Castro

The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) hosted its annual NHMC Impacts Washington, D.C. Awards Reception at the National Association of Broadcasters. The evening, hosted by political commentator Maria Cardona, recognized policymakers and societal leaders committed to enacting policies protecting the public and marginalized communities.

NHMC honored the changemakers defending digital spaces where our voices are heard, our stories can spread, and hate and division are no longer given power.

Chairman Pete Aguilar (CA-33), the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, was in attendance to accept the Impact Award. “We need people, we need members, we need friends, we need allies speaking up and speaking out,” emphasized Chairman Aguilar.

Jasmine Vasquez accepted the Impact Award on behalf of Pinterest, which has been instrumental in the preservation of digital media against artificial intelligence (AI). Through their enhanced AI filters, Pinterest has empowered users to control their own algorithms. “Our goal is to ensure that everyone feels safe, seen, and celebrated,” said Jasmine Vasquez.

Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) gave the keynote address for the event, stating, “NHMC works to make sure that the Latino community is defined by reality: a community that has contributed in every single positive way to the prosperity and the development of the United States of America and has done it now for generations.”

NHMC’s annual event brings together leaders and policymakers at our nation’s capital to honor individuals and organizations working to safeguard the democracy of the United States. The evening honors voices that amplify NHMC’s efforts for policy to serve Latine audiences and other marginalized communities.

NHMC applauds its sponsors for the partnership and commitment to the NHMC Impacts Washington, D.C. reception. Sponsors include Google, Verizon, Comcast, T-Mobile, TikTok, Starz, Nielsen, and the National Association of Broadcasters.

Please see the event photos here.

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Thank you to our partners:

2024 NHMC Impacts Washington, D.C.

The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) held its annual NHMC Impacts Washington, D.C. Awards Reception honorees on Thursday, September 26th and hosted by Claudia Uceda, Correspondent at TelevisaUnivision, the evening recognizes policymakers and leaders who are working to bridge the digital divide, enact policies that protect Latinx and other marginalized communities, and safeguard the democracy of the United States.

The NHMC Impacts Washington, D.C. Awards Reception celebrates the voices that amplify NHMC’s efforts as it examines new ways for policy and advocacy to serve Latino audiences and other marginalized communities. This ranges from analyzing telecommunications policies and proceedings, to testifying before Congress and government agencies, to engaging with decision-makers, and even leading efforts in supporting programs that bring digital tools and services within reach for low-income families. NHMC will honor those who are working to preserve the media landscape as a place where we can share our stories and hold industries accountable for increasing diversity, eliminating divisive hate speech against members of our community, as well as fighting against censorship and the spread of information fraud.

“NHMC is honored to celebrate D.C.’s leaders and organizations that have made a lane for themselves throughout their careers,” said Brenda Victoria Castillo, President and CEO, National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) “These honorees have been allies in our fight for increased visibility for Latinos in Capitol Hill and beyond, especially during a key moment for our community in current U.S. history. They exemplify what it means to leave a long-lasting impact on their respective institutions.”

The year’s honorees include:
- Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35)
- Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (TX-30)
- Emilio Gonzalez, Executive Director for Public Policy & Strategic Initiatives, Verizon
- Janet Murguía, President & CEO, UnidosUS
- Hispanic Heritage Foundation and Minecraft Education

Congressman Casar will receive an Impact Award for his devotion to improving the lives of millions of Americans, by raising wages and expanding safety protection rights for workers and immigrants, advocating for women’s rights and voters, prioritizing veterans’ and seniors’ programs, and tackling the climate crisis. Congresswoman Crockett will be honored with an Impact Award for her life-long commitment to public service, with the goal of serving justice and ensuring equality for all. Her leadership has resulted in the passing of landmark criminal justice reforms in the House, and has brought more accessibility and accountability to her office than ever before. Emilio Gonzalez will receive an Impact Award for his extensive career in technology and tech policy arenas - from serving as Special Assistant for Technology at the U.S. Department of Commerce under the Clinton Administration to his current position as Executive Director for Public Policy & Strategic Initiatives at Verizon. Janet Murguía will be honored with the Women in Leadership Impact Award for her dedication to bringing the American dream to Latino families throughout her career - from her time as President & CEO of National Council of La Raza to her current role as President & CEO at UnidosUS.

Hispanic Heritage Foundation and Minecraft Education will be honored with an Impact Award for their collaboration that helped establish the groundbreaking educational game series LatinExplorers: A Hispanic Heritage Journey. The project came to life with the help of its team of Latine innovators. LatinExplorers: A Hispanic Heritage Journey exemplifies the power of partnership in promoting positive representation of Latinos, providing valuable educational content, and giving Latine creators a seat at the table when developing video gaming programs.

Past honorees of NHMC’s Impacts Washington, D.C. Awards Reception include FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, FCC Chair Rosenworcel, FTC Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya, Congressman Jimmy Gomez, Congressman Joaquin Castro, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, Henry R. Muñoz III, Jacquelyn Puente, Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Cory Booker, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, Congressman José E. Serrano, Congressman Tony Cárdenas, and Congresswoman Maxine Waters.