Quilen Blackwell, whose nonprofit ‘farm-to-vase’ flower shop employs at-risk youth, is CNN’s Hero of the Year

Video Ad Feedback CNN announces the 2025 Hero of the Year Quilen Blackwell 1:51 • Source: CNN

CNN announces the 2025 Hero of the Year Quilen Blackwell 1:51 New York —

Quilen Blackwell, whose nonprofit transforms vacant lots on Chicago’s South Side into flower farms that employ at-risk young people to grow, arrange and sell the flowers, is the 2025 CNN Hero of the Year.

Online voters selected him from this year’s Top 5 CNN Heroes , everyday people who are recognized for taking action to solve problems in their communities.

Reacting to the news, he gave credit to his wife, Hannah, and his Christian faith, as well as the young people who work at his social enterprise, Southside Blooms , whom he described as “stars.”

“Truth be told, I don’t know how to make a centerpiec