Jessica Marie Garcia CoHosts NHMC Impact Gala

Gala Grand Evening

This week in Los Angeles, the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) held its annual Impact Gala to honor Latino creatives in film, television, and digital media. Actress Jessica Marie Garcia took the stage as cohost for the second consecutive year. Joined by comedian and former Daily Show correspondent Al Madrigal, she helped guide the audience through an evening of award presentations, keynote speeches, and fundraising for scholarships and media‐education programs.

Honoring Latino Voices

In her opening remarks, Garcia addressed growing concerns over the erasure and criminalization of Latino contributions. “In a time when the countless contributions from Latinos are being erased and criminalized in this country,” she said, “I’m so thankful we have nights like these, and safe spaces like NHMC to celebrate us.” NHMC Executive Vice President Brenda Castillo then took the podium to spotlight honorees for outstanding work in journalism, acting, directing, and advocacy.

Dynamic Duo On Stage

Garcia and Madrigal brought humor and warmth to the gala’s flow. Madrigal quipped about his Southern California upbringing fueling his comedic lens, while Garcia shared anecdotes of growing up in Long Beach as the daughter of Mexican immigrant parents. Their rapport eased transitions between segments and underscored the evening’s celebration of bicultural identity in front of a capacity crowd at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Jessica Marie Garcia’s Advocacy

Beyond her cohosting role, Garcia has built a reputation as an outspoken champion for representation. Best known for playing Willow Cruz on Disney Channel’s Liv and Maddie and Jasmine on Netflix’s On My Block, she frequently uses social media to amplify social justice messages. Earlier this year, she posted a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., quoting his words: “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” That Instagram post, tagged #NoKingsDay and #LosAngeles, reinforced her commitment to activism off-screen.

Nhmc Legacy

Founded in 1986, NHMC is the nation’s longest-running Latino media advocacy organization. Its Impact Awards Gala not only recognizes artists and journalists but also raises funds for initiatives such as the NHMC Media Summit and the Producers Pipeline Program. Past honorees have included major figures like Gina Rodriguez and Jorge Ramos, with this year’s slate highlighting emerging talent in web series and podcasting.

Continuing The Conversation

Following the formal program, Garcia joined a panel on mentorship for young Latino creatives, previewing NHMC’s upcoming #AmplifyLatinx2024 digital initiative. The program aims to connect aspiring writers, directors, and producers with industry veterans—an effort Garcia praised as essential to sustaining the next generation of storytellers.

As the gala concluded, Jessica Marie Garcia and Al Madrigal posed for photos with honorees and supporters, capping a night that blended entertainment with advocacy. With her second Impact Gala appearance behind her, Garcia continues to cement her role as both a beloved performer and a powerful voice for Latino representation in media.

Trivia

Jessica Marie Garcia was nominated for an ALMA Award for her performance in 'On My Block' in 2019.

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Poulami Nag

 

Poulami is an associate editor. She did her MA in English from Miranda House, University of Delhi and has qualified UGC-NET. She also holds a PG diploma in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University. Her journey as a content writer began in 2017 and since then, Poulami has garnered diverse interests along the way.

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