Hennessy V.S.O.P Honors Hill Harper At Annual Privilège Awards

Actor, Author & Philanthropist Recognized for Empowering Next Generation of Multicultural Professionals

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Dec 16, 2016, 12:08 ET

NEW YORK, Dec. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Last night, Hennessy Cognac celebrated its annual V.S.O.P Privilège Awards honoring award-winning actor, best-selling author and philanthropist Hill Harper for his dedication to empowering the next generation of multicultural professionals. Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège (Very Superior Old Pale) is a blend that is masterfully crafted from a synthesis of complex variables and recognized for its unmatched harmony and balance. Now in its 13^th year, the Privilège Award is bestowed to individuals who, like Hennessy, have achieved unparalleled levels of accomplishment and use their success to give back to others in their community.

Actor, author and philanthropist Hill Harper accepts the Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège Award for his dedication to empowering the next generation of multicultural professionals on December 15, 2016 at Sousa House in New York City. Now in its 13th year, the Privilège Award is bestowed to individuals who, like Hennessy, have achieved unparalleled levels of accomplishment and use their success to give back to others in their community.

Rodney Williams, CMO & EVP- Spirits at Moët Hennessy USA, Josh Lucas, and Hill Harper attend the 13th annual Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège Awards on December 15, 2016 at Sousa House in New York City. Hennessy recognized Mr. Harper for his dedication to empowering the next generation of multicultural professionals.

Hill Harper has mastered his presence in front of the camera with leading roles on television shows like CSI: NY, Covert Affairs, and Showtime's award-winning drama Homeland, among others. But it's his tremendous off-air accolades and contributions that complement the intention behind Hennessy's V.S.O.P Privilège Award: four New York Times best-sellers, seven NAACP Image Awards, and an unwavering commitment to community as founder of the Manifest Your Destiny Foundation. Founded in 2006, Harper's non-profit organization focuses on providing mentorship through job programs, conferences and community service projects.

"I am honored to receive the 2016 Privilège Award," said Harper. "Mentorship has always been very important to me and I made an important commitment to myself and others to pass along the lessons I have learned in life and provide a foundation for the next generation. It is incredible to know that Hennessy, a global brand, also values the importance of mentorship and giving back to one's community."

In addition to recognizing Harper and supporting his foundation, the 2016 Privilège Awards revealed Hennessy's continued and expanded partnership with the Marcus Graham Project. For years, Hennessy has supported the non-profit organization and its mission to nurture, mentor and train multicultural professionals to pursue careers within marketing and advertising. In 2017, Hennessy will sponsor the Marcus Graham Project's Tenth Anniversary Awards Gala and host two marketing workshops with the organization. As the newest recipient of the Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège Award, Hill Harper has been invited for the first time to serve as the awards gala host and participate in the workshop panels.

About Hennessy
In 2016, the Maison Hennessy celebrates over two and half centuries of an exceptional adventure that has linked two families, the Hennessys and the Fillioux, for seven generations and spanned five continents. It began in the French region of Cognac, the seat from which the Maison has constantly passed down the best the land has to give, from one generation to the next. In particular, such longevity is thanks to those people, past and present, who have ensured Hennessy's success both locally and around the world. Hennessy's success and longevity are also the result of the values the Maison has upheld since its creation: unique savoir-faire, a constant quest for innovation, and an unwavering commitment to Creation, Excellence, Legacy, and Sustainable Development. Today, these qualities are the hallmark of a House – a crown jewel in the LVMH Group – that crafts iconic and prestigious Cognacs.

Hennessy is imported and distributed in the U.S. by Moët Hennessy USA. Hennessy distills, ages and blends spanning a full range: Hennessy V.S, Hennessy Black, V.S.O.P Privilège, X.O, Paradis, Paradis Impérial and Richard Hennessy. For more information and where to purchase/ engrave, please visit Hennessy.com.

About Hill Harper

Hill Harper is an award-winning actor, best-selling author and philanthropist. Harper founded the Manifest Your Destiny Foundation which is dedicated to empowering underserved communities through mentorship, scholarship, and grant programs. Harper holds two graduate degrees from Harvard University and travels worldwide as a motivational speaker, addressing current affairs and life-awakening topics to a wide array of audiences.

SOURCE Hennessy