Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Honored at NAACP Awards for Humanitarian Work

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, were recognized and celebrated at the NAACP Awards for their outstanding humanitarian work and distinguished public service.

The couple received the prestigious NAACP's Award on Saturday night for their efforts in assisting a women's shelter in Texas, promoting vaccine equity, and establishing community relief centers in collaboration with World Central Kitchen.

The NAACP Image Awards took to social media to congratulate Meghan and Harry, tweeting, “Congratulations to our President's Award recipients Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

#NAACPImageAwards.”

During the award ceremony, Meghan expressed her admiration for the legacy of the Image Awards, which originated shortly after the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

She emphasized the importance of continuing this legacy by reinstating federal voting protections and carrying on the work of civil rights icons like the late John Lewis.

The couple felt deeply humbled to be surrounded by illustrious awardees and previous recipients such as LeBron James, Rihanna, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, Muhammad Ali, and Jesse Jackson.

In addition to their recognition, the Duke and Duchess collaborated with the NAACP and their Archul Foundation to establish a new honor called the NAACP Archul Digital Civil Rights Award.

This award grants a $100,000 prize to innovators working at the intersection of technology and social justice.

The inaugural recipient of this award was Sophia Noble, PhD, who authored a groundbreaking study in 2019 titled “Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism.”

Her research exposed the inherent racial and gender biases embedded within common internet search algorithms.

Prince Harry took the opportunity to acknowledge the people of Ukraine, expressing the urgent need for continued support from the global community.

He then expressed his gratitude to the NAACP for bestowing the award upon him.

Reflecting on his background, Harry highlighted the stark contrast between himself and his remarkable wife, Meghan.

However, he emphasized their shared commitment to a life of service, their responsibility to confront injustice, and their belief in the importance of listening to those who are often overlooked.

Meghan, resuming her speech, paid tribute to the legacy of George Floyd.

She expressed immense pride in working alongside her husband, especially during their move to California, her home state, shortly before Floyd's tragic murder.

The nine minutes and 29 seconds that ended Floyd's life transcended time, evoking centuries of unresolved pain for the Black community.

In the subsequent months, Meghan and Harry engaged with civil rights organizations, dedicating themselves and their organization to shedding light on those who strive for racial justice and progress.

Prince Harry further explained their collaborative efforts with the NAACP to create the NAACP Archwell Digital Civil Rights Award, an annual recognition given to leaders effecting transformative change at the intersection of social justice and technology.

Meghan concluded her speech by expressing pride in partnering with the NAACP and each individual involved to translate the vital efforts of their predecessors into meaningful action for the challenges that lie ahead.

She expressed gratitude for the honor bestowed upon them and acknowledged the presence of her late mother, who undoubtedly shared in their pride.

The NAACP Archwell Digital Civil Rights Award continues to recognize innovators working to bridge the gap between technology and social justice, offering a $100,000 prize to deserving recipients.

The inaugural recipient, Sophia Noble, PhD, demonstrated the impact of her work through her study on algorithms and their reinforcement of racial and gender biases within internet searches.

The week-long NAACP Awards event aims to celebrate individuals of color in various fields, including television, music, literature, and film.

The event commenced with virtual award ceremonies, culminating in the live broadcast of the Saturday night ceremony at 8pm ET on BET.

Through their dedication to humanitarian causes and their collaborative efforts with organizations like the NAACP, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry continue to make a significant impact in promoting equality and justice.