CNN —
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have said “we know that a glimmer of hope can turn into a wave of change” after being honored in New York for their work on racial justice and mental health.
Prince Harry and Meghan were in the Big Apple on Tuesday night to accept the 2022 Ripple of Hope Award from the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Organization (RFKHR).
The award honors “exemplary leaders in government, business, advocacy and entertainment who have shown an unwavering commitment to social change and worked to advance justice, justice and human rights,” according to the organizers.
The pair paused briefly on the blue carpet to pose for photographers before heading to the event. They haven’t stopped speaking to the media or answering reporters’ questions about their upcoming Netflix docu-series, set to launch on the streaming platform Thursday.
During the gala event, the Sussexes announced a new collaboration between their own non-profit organization and RFKHR.
“We are honored to receive the RFK Ripple of Hope Award this year and to work with the Kennedy family in the creation of the Archewell Foundation Award for Gender Equity in Student Film,” the two said in a statement. “With this award, we hope to inspire a new generation of leaders in the arts, where diverse emerging talent have a platform to have their voices heard and tell their stories.
“The values of the RFK Foundation and the Archewell Foundation align with our shared beliefs: courage not fear and love not hate. Together we know that a glimmer of hope can turn into a wave of change,” they added.
RFKHR President Kerry Kennedy said the organization chose to honor the couple because they are “proud of their work on racial justice and equality and mental health awareness” and “show up when people really need them.”
She added, “If you look at the last two years, racial justice issues, gender issues, sexual minorities issues, and so on, hospitals, universities, governments, even Hollywood, etc. have been grappling … And I think it’s really great that she’s catching us.” have to talk and normalize this discussion.”
Later during the gala, Prince Harry joked with the crowd during a Q&A session on stage about how he thought the couple left their children at home for a “date night”.
“To be honest Kerry, I actually thought we only had one date. So I found it quite odd that we’re sharing the space with 1,500 people,” the Duke joked in a short clip provided by the gala organizers.
“We don’t get out often because our kids are so small and young, so it’s totally unexpected,” he added. “But it’s nice to share the date night with you all.”
As the audience laughed, Meghan chimed in, “Thank you for bringing me to this very special date night.”
The annual gala, hosted by actor Alec Baldwin, also paid tribute to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky; Frank Baker, co-founder and managing partner of private equity firm Siris; Brian Moynihan, CEO of Bank of America; and Michael Polsky, Founder and CEO of Invenergy. NBA legend and civil rights activist Bill Russell was also honored posthumously.
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