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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jamie Diamond 212.691.2800 [email protected]

US Vice President Joe Biden, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, and Guggenheim Partners’ Scott Minerd to Receive RFK Human Rights’ 2016 Ripple of Hope Award

Award honors leaders for their efforts in the fight for social change, equality, justice and global human rights, exemplifying the legacy of Robert F. Kennedy

NEW YORK (November 28, 2016) – On Tuesday, December 6, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights will present the Ripple of Hope Award to its 2016 class of honorees including United States Vice President Joe Biden; Starbucks Chairman, President and CEO, Howard Schultz; and Guggenheim Partners’ Chairman of Investments / Global Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner, Scott Minerd at the New York Hilton Midtown in .

This year’s Ripple of Hope Gala, hosted by Master of Ceremonies, actor Kevin Nealon, will feature stirring performances of the words and reflections of global Human Rights Defenders as interpreted by celebrated actors from stage and screen, including: , , Joy Behar, Harry Belafonte, Michael Bolton, Lorraine Bracco, Tim Daly, Danny DeVito, Trevor Donovan, Giancarlo Esposito, Danny Glover, , Dennis Haysbert, Catherine Keener, Keegan-Michael Key, Tony Lo Bianco, Matthew Modine, Kate Mulgrew, Rosie Perez, Sullivan Stapleton, , and many more.

“At such a tumultuous and deeply divided time in our collective history, it has never been more imperative that we work together towards our goals of ensuring justice and the protection of human rights across the world,” said Kerry Kennedy, President of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights. “Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights is proud to honor U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, Scott Minerd and Howard Schultz for their outstanding roles in supporting and amplifying these global efforts."

The 47th and current Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden, has devoted his life to public service and the betterment of society, with a focused dedication to human rights. A member of the Democratic Party, Biden represented Delaware as a United States Senator from 1973 until 2009, following his election to Vice President. He is an outspoken supporter and enactor of key social justice initiatives spanning the realms of public health, women’s rights, affirmative action, public education, civil rights, same-sex marriage, environmental protection, and more.

Howard Schultz, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Starbucks Coffee Company, has a made a longstanding commitment to civic responsibility and community services as a means of creating a strong culture in which purpose and profit are aligned missions. He has been widely recognized for his philanthropic efforts, including his work on educational initiatives aimed at fighting the AIDS epidemic, his promotion of responsible capitalism, and advocacy for ethics in business. Schultz is co-founder of the Schultz Family Foundation, which spearheads Onward Youth, promoting employment for young people with job training and skill building programs; and Onward Veterans, which supports post-9/11 military in successful transitions to civilian life.

In his role as Chairman of Investments and Global Chief Investment Officer, Guggenheim Partners’ Managing Partner Scott Minerd is dedicated to supporting global human rights and humanitarian causes. A longstanding supporter of RFK Human Rights, Minerd is driven by service and purpose in both his personal philanthropy and in his profession, and serves on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Investor Advisory Committee on Financial Markets, and provides counsel on how the public and private sectors can better understand and mitigate risks. Minerd also works with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and is a contributing member of the World Economic Forum (WEF).

The event will also be attended by elected officials and philanthropic influencers, including: Cheryl Alston, Executive Director and CIO, Dallas Employee's Retirement Fund; Joseph Boateng, CIO, Casey Family Programs; Gerald Chen-Young, Former VP & CIO, United Negro Fund; Tom DiNapoli, New York State Comptroller; Vicki Fuller, CIO & Deputy Comptroller, Office of the New York State Comptroller; Jeffrey Heil, CIO, Doris Duke Foundation; Meredith Jenkins, CIO, Trinity Church Wall Street; William Lee, CIO, New York Presbyterian Hospital; Kim Lew, VP & CIO, Carnegie Corporation of New York; Winston Ma, Managing Director, China Investment Capital; Seth Magaziner, Treasurer, State of Rhode Island; Arunma Oteh, VP & Treasurer, The World Bank; Scott Pittman, SVP & CIO, Mount Sinai Medical Center; Scott Stringer, Comptroller, New York City Office of the Comptroller; Ash Williams, Executive Director & CIO, Florida State Board of Administration; among others.

The Robert F. Kennedy Ripple of Hope Award recognizes leaders in government, business, and entertainment who are dedicated to social change. Honoring Robert Kennedy’s legacy, the organization focuses on human rights education, advocacy and litigation, engaging the business community in support of social good, and the mobilization of young community leaders in championing human rights. Past award recipients include: Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, President , Bono, Congressman John Lewis; Tim Cook; Marianna Vardinoyannis; George Clooney, John Boyer, Niclas Matseke, and and .

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About Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights was founded in 1968 by Robert Kennedy's family and as a living memorial to carry forward his vision of a more just and peaceful world. RFK Partners for Human Rights, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights’ litigation, advocacy, and capacity-building arm, builds multi-year partnerships with defenders and other human rights activists to advance social justice goals around the world. RFK Speak Truth To Power educates more than half a million students throughout the world each year with a human rights school curriculum offered from pre-school to law school. RFK Compass promotes corporate responsibility by ensuring that human rights concerns, fair labor practices, and environmental safeguards are reflected in global investment strategies. Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights’ European partner organization, RFK Europe, provides human rights education programs to schools across the continent, and operates the RFK Europe Training Institute providing cutting edge training for human rights activists and grassroots organizations. Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit charitable organization. To learn more, please visit www.rfkcenter.org, or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RFKCenter) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/RFKHumanRights).