The National Hispanic Media Coalition, NHMC, announces its 16th Annual Impact Awards Gala, taking place Friday, February 22, in Beverly Hills, California. The NHMC Gala is one of the premiere Latino entertainment events in the country, recognizing outstanding contributions to the positive portrayal of Latinos in media. NHMC's President and CEO, Alex Nogales, will host four hundred of the most influential persons in Hollywood when it comes to advancing Latino talent in Hollywood.

This year's Impact Awards will honor onscreen talents Michael Peña, Mario Lopez, Morena Baccarin, Gina Torres, Lana Parrilla and Emmy Award winner John Leguizamo. NHMC will also be honoring Tony Hernandez, co-founder and executive producer of the Immigrant Archive Project, with the first ever Lupe Ontiveros Indomitable Spirit Award in remembrance of Lupe's relentless effort to always represent the Hispanic community at the highest level and standards. Previous Impact Award recipients, Tony Plana and Aimee Garcia, will join the lineup of Latino talent as Masters of Ceremony for the night.

The multi-faceted performer John Leguizamo will receive the award Outstanding Theatrical Performance for his return to Broadway in his solo show Ghetto Klown. Actor Michael Peña will be receiving the Outstanding Performance in a Motion Picture award for his role as Officer Zavala in the critically-acclaimed film End of Watch. EXTRA and X-Factor host, Mario Lopez, will be awarded as Outstanding Media Entrepreneur for his extensive accomplishments in the media industry.

The following actresses will be awarded for Outstanding Performance in a Television Series: Morena Baccarin for her performance in Showtime's Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning series, Homeland; Lana Parrilla for her role as the Evil Queen / Mayor Regina Mills in ABC's Once Upon a Time; and television and film actress Gina Torres for her role as Jessica Pearson on USA's Suits.

Past honorees that are attending the event include: Alana De La Garza of NBC's Do No Harm, Benito Martinez of Bless Me Ultima, and Danny Trejo of the Machete saga. Other stars that you can expect to see include Parenthood's Xolo Madriduena, and star of Filly Brown Gina Rodriguez.

More information about the 16th Annual Impact Awards Gala can be found here.