(audience applause).

♪ ♪ IVETTE: Rosie Perez is an Oscar and Emmy nominated actress, director, producer, dancer, choreographer, humanitarian, and activist.

Tonight, we honor her for her leadership, speaking truth to power.

CRAZY LEGS: In an industry that often overlooks or discounts talent from our communities, she's spent her entire career kicking down doors and pushing those in power to make room at the table, and inspiring us to follow her lead.

IVETTE: It was on a fateful night at a nightclub in Los Angeles that she met and had a spirited exchange with up-and-coming filmmaker Spike Lee; little did she know that that exchange would change the trajectory of her life.

That encounter inspired him to create the role of Tina for his iconic film "Do The Right Thing."

CRAZY LEGS: And it was thanks to a conversation with co-star Jennifer Grey that she learned the importance of having representation in Hollywood and led to her being introduced to a much-needed proper agent.

Which in turn got her into more rooms to make more people reevaluate what a Puerto Rican girl from Brooklyn with a unique New York accent could do.

Those conversations and meetings turned roles that were never meant for her into star-making vehicles, an Oscar nomination, and many box office hits that have sustained her career for over 35 years.

IVETTE: Behind the scenes, she's worked with her fellow industry members, myself included, to demand more.

More equal treatment, equal pay, equal access, and equal opportunity for all, regardless of gender or race.

Her insistence on greater opportunity and justice extends beyond the entertainment industry.

CRAZY LEGS: In 1991, she co-founded the Urban Arts Partnership, which works to provide arts and technology education for thousands of low-income children throughout New York City and Los Angeles.

IVETTE: Since the '90s, she's been a vocal advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness and healthcare.

Showing up and speaking at countless events when others were afraid to.

She created a Spanish-speaking PSA campaign for the Latino community, and was invited by President Obama to serve on the Presidential Council on HIV/AIDS, where she was able to directly impact policy.

CRAZY LEGS: In the wake of Hurricane Maria, she partnered with the Heart 9/11 Charity to raise money and provide critical resources to first responders rebuilding homes throughout Puerto Rico.

And never one to shy away from a fight, she shows up for every election.

From local to federal, she campaigns for the causes and candidates she believes in and mobilizes Latinos to vote and take ownership of their futures.

IVETTE: Now more than ever, she reminds us of the power we have when we come together, stand up, and ultimately, "Do The Right Thing."

Rosie, you are fiercely talented, brilliant, authentic, kind, and loyal.

I'm proud to call you my friend, and I'm so happy that we all get to celebrate you tonight.

But before we invite Rosie to receive the 2025 Leadership Award, we have a special message from someone that could not be with us tonight.

SPIKE LEE: Rosie, hola!

I want to congratulate you on another honor.

I know you just got 'em stacked!

We've known each other a long, long time.

Keep doing your thing.

Proud of you.

Proud of you, Rosie.

Peace and love.

(audience cheering and applause).

♪ ♪ (audience cheering and applause).