Acclaimed Actor and the Latina Stars of His Groundbreaking Off-Broadway Play Celebrated for Advancing Latino Representation and Authentic Storytelling

The Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC) hosted an extraordinary evening of artistry, leadership, and cultural impact at its annual Latina Legacy Dinner on December 2, presented with the generous support of Wells Fargo. Held at Peak Restaurant on the 101st floor of Hudson Yards, the celebration brought together business leaders, creators, philanthropists, and industry changemakers to honor the transformative power of Latino storytelling and leadership.

The event paid tribute to John Leguizamo, the acclaimed actor, writer, director, producer, and activist, whose decades-long career has helped reshape how Latino stories are portrayed in American culture. In discussing his new off-Broadway play The Other Americans, Leguizamo underscored the urgency of challenging the erasure of Latino narratives from mainstream history.

“The exclusion of Latino contributions from U.S. textbooks is a profound injustice,” said Leguizamo. “This is not simply about ethnicity; it's about telling the complete story of American history. We are descendants of the American Revolution, and we must speak up, demand change, and use our collective power to ensure future generations inherit a more accurate and inclusive national story.”

The LDC also honored the play’s exceptional Latina cast, Rosa Evangelina Arredondo, Rebecca Jimenez, and Luna Lauren Vélez, whose performances bring to life the depth, diversity, and resilience of Latino communities. Their work, collectively and individually, illustrates the rising influence of Latina talent across American theater and reinforces the importance of telling stories with authenticity and dignity.

The evening opened the 25th LDC Convening: The Latina Paradigm Shift, a gathering dedicated to elevating Latina leadership, economic power, and representation across all sectors. The program highlighted the power of Latino audiences and consumers.

“Latinos in the U.S. must harness the power of our purchasing decisions and amplify our voices by supporting those who tell our stories authentically,” said Ana Valdez, CEO of the LDC. “We need to use the power of our pockets, our voices, our clicks in the organizations, creators, and platforms that represent us with accuracy and dignity.”

Speakers also reflected on the broader economic moment and the scale of Latino impact.

“Latinos and Latinas are the economic engine driving this country forward,” said LDC Chairman Sol Trujillo. “We’re not just articulating this reality, we’re proving it with irrefutable data showing our contributions to America’s prosperity and growth.”

About The Other Americans

The Other Americans is a compelling off-Broadway production that illuminates the vital yet often erased contributions of Latinos to American history. Through powerful performances and unflinching storytelling, the play confronts audiences with long-standing omissions while celebrating the innovation, resilience, and patriotism of Latino communities. Led by John Leguizamo with Rosa Evangelina Arredondo, Rebecca Jimenez, and Luna Lauren Vélez, the production brings depth and authenticity to this essential American narrative.

Event Highlights

• Tribute to John Leguizamo’s multi-disciplinary career and cultural impact
• Recognition of the three Latina stars of The Other Americans
• Insights from business and civic leaders on the cultural and economic influence of U.S. Latinos
• A gathering of decision-makers committed to elevating Latino narratives through data, storytelling, and leadership

About the Latino Donor Collaborative

The Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC) is an independently funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and think tank dedicated to producing economic and business data about U.S. Latinos. LDC’s research is widely used by executives, investors, policymakers, and media leaders to understand the contributions and impact of the U.S. Latino community.

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