John Legend, Sean Penn, Ann Lee Recognized at 2025 Social Impact Summit

The Hollywood Reporter and the Social Impact Fund co-hosted the 2025 Social Impact Summit in Los Angeles, gathering more than 500 cultural leaders, nonprofit founders, and entertainment professionals for a day of conversations on philanthropy, equity, and collective action.

The summit honored John Legend as Philanthropist of the Year and CORE co-founders Sean Penn and Ann Lee as Philanthropic Organization of the Year. The event featured a keynote by comedian George Lopez and included appearances by Dolores Huerta, Elaine Welteroth, Allyson Felix, Diego Mariscal, Dr. Eric Esrailian, Sydney Baloue, and others across two panel discussions.

In his remarks, Legend reflected on systemic injustice and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., recounting a conversation between King and Harry Belafonte that described America as a “burning house.” He called on attendees to “become the firemen,” commending the work of fellow honorees and recalling his own time with incarcerated firefighters during the January 2025 wildfires in Palisades and Eaton Canyon. The Social Impact Fund awarded a $25,000 grant to his Show Me Campaign in recognition of the honor.

George Lopez opened the summit with remarks focused on the immigration crisis and political inaction. “I don’t actually like for anybody to know the stuff that I do for others,” Lopez said. “I grew up around people who were so ready to pat themselves on the back for the most minimal stuff. They were full of it. I’d rather help without anyone knowing.”

Panel discussions explored themes including health equity, immigration, trans visibility, and disability rights. In “Who Runs the World? Trailblazers in Women’s Health and Wellness,” journalist Elaine Welteroth led a conversation with Allyson Felix, Kendall Toole, Dázon Dixon Diallo, and Deborah Wafer. The panelists addressed gaps in mental and maternal healthcare, stigma, and the need for culturally competent language and support.

In “Protect the Block: Safeguarding Communities,” moderated by Stacey Wilson Hunt, panelists Dolores Huerta, Diego Mariscal, Sydney Baloue, and Dr. Eric Esrailian discussed intersectional advocacy for immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, disabled individuals, and youth in foster care. “Racism is a sickness,” said Huerta. “Especially with people of color—these are the ones being targeted by ICE. [Trump’s] administration is trying to make America white. America’s never been white.”

Mariscal emphasized the importance of recognizing disability as part of human diversity, and Baloue pointed to the media’s role in shaping public perception. “Will & Grace changed the face of what it meant to be a gay person,” he said. “We need to do the same for trans people.”

The summit concluded with a tribute to Penn and Lee’s global disaster relief work through CORE. In a conversation with ABC News’ Zohreen Shah, they discussed barriers to emergency preparedness and the long-term impact of funding cuts and policy shifts. The Los Angeles Fire Department’s Captain Erik Scott presented the organization’s award, followed by a surprise $25,000 grant from the Social Impact Fund.

Additional guests included Susan Burton of A New Way of Life, comedian Nic Novicki, and Hollywood Reporter Co-Editors-in-Chief Maer Roshan and Shirley Halperin.

The 2025 Social Impact Summit was sponsored by Gilead Sciences, with additional support from Public Interest Registry, Perlman & Perlman, Heineken, Open Water, and Bulleit Bourbon.