Hispanic Heritage Awards

CARMELO: Wow, wepa, wepa.

AUDIENCE: Wepa, wepa.

CARMELO: Um, I don't, I don't know where to start.

Uh, no, no tears, no tears.

Um, it's, it's, it's a, it's just a, I'm before the prompter and all that.

Just a very special moment because I fought this being a, a Puerto Rican for a long time.

So this right here stamps me as a Puerto Rican.

(audience cheering and applause) Thank you.

But with that being said, I just wanna say good evening to everyone.

Uh, first and foremost, I want to thank you to the Hispanic Heritage Foundation for this incredible honor.

Thank you guys so much, and congratulations to all the honorees, uh, tonight.

Uh, it's, it's, you know, it's an honor, it is such a blessing, uh, to be sharing this stage with all of you.

I am in constant, like, constant, constant.

I'm, I'm just not saying that, like constant admiration of, of all the strength of, of my talent, uh, talented, actually Hispanic brothers and sisters, uh, that we represent.

And that's rep that's being represented here tonight.

Um, receiving this award, I've never thought I'd be receiving an actual award coming from my Hispanic side.

Uh, so, thank you, gracias, gracias, thank you.

Um, but this, this, this, this award is a special achievement for me.

Uh, this recognition is, uh, symbolic of the journey that made me who I am today as I spoke about on my journey.

Um, I'm a proud Afro Latino (audience cheering and applause) And, and, and, and, and, and, and even prouder Boricua.

So I just wanna say that, um, so as an, as an athlete, um, I, I've had the honor of just representing not only my team, my city, but also my heritage for all my people.

Um, growing up in Brooklyn, uh, being raised in Baltimore, my, like, my Puerto Rican roots were just, it was a cornerstone for me of just trying to figure everything out and put the pieces together.

Uh, I learned early on in my, my NBA career, I was representing something that was much greater than actually myself.

Uh, every moment, every moment of this success, uh, or challenge, was a opportunity to carry out the weight of my culture.

Uh, our community and I say our community, uh, and my ancestors' dreams.

Uh, I aim to use my platform to embody, uh, the resilience and pride of Brown and Black trailblazers.

Yes, I was a, a actual Portland Trailblazer, but a real trailblazer for us, uh, who paved the way.

Uh, and I, I just want everybody else to know out there who's watching that this is so important to have organizations like the Hispanic, uh, Heritage Foundation, who continue to inspire and empower, uh, the Latinos and Hispanic community.

Each one of us, each one of us that's in here, we all have a role to play, uh, shaping a brighter future and a more inclusive future.

Uh, and I'm honored, honored, very honored to be one of many voices celebrated tonight.

So with that being said, let's continue to support one another, celebrate our wins, and work together to build a legacy that honors our past while paving the way for future generations.

Thank you, peace.

And when in doubt, stay Melo.

Thank you.

(audience cheering and applause)