Quilen Blackwell honored for blooming change in Chicago
*In a powerful celebration of urban transformation, Quilen Blackwell has been named the 2025 CNN Hero of the Year. His work converting empty lots into flower farms has brought jobs, joy, and justice to Chicago’s South Side.
Blackwell, 40, received the award during the “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” broadcast on Dec. 6. Hosted by Anderson Cooper and Laura Coates, the event celebrated changemakers across the globe.
Southside Blooms gives youth jobs and purpose
Blackwell co-founded Southside Blooms, a nonprofit that transforms abandoned, overgrown lots into eco-friendly flower farms. The initiative offers paid jobs to at-risk youth ages 14 to 24, training them as florists, farmers, and entrepreneurs.
Using a “farm-to-vase” model, flowers are sold locally while the farms serve as tools for environmental restoration and community healing. Each site runs on solar power and is built with sustainability in mind.
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“There’s amazing things in the inner cities,” Blackwell says
“There’s a lot of amazing things going on in the inner cities that is going to surprise a lot of people,” Blackwell shared in his heartfelt speech.
His words struck a chord with viewers worldwide. He emphasized that hope and opportunity can flourish in even the most overlooked places—especially when youth take the lead.
Prize money powers Southside Blooms expansion
As the 2025 CNN Hero of the Year, Blackwell received $100,000 from CNN and an additional $50,000 from the Elevate Prize Foundation. All five finalists were awarded $10,000 plus matching donations.
Blackwell plans to expand Southside Blooms with the funding. More farms will mean more jobs, more flowers, and more opportunities for young people to thrive.
From Peace Corps to Chicago’s flower farms
Blackwell’s journey started in Madison, Wisconsin, and led him to serve in the Peace Corps in Thailand. He later moved to Chicago for ministry school, where tutoring teens in Englewood changed his perspective.
He saw himself in the youth he worked with. “I started to just realize, I could be any one of these kids,” he said. Together with his wife, Hannah Bonham Blackwell, he launched Southside Blooms in 2015 to create sustainable jobs for young people.
“I don’t know how to make a bouquet,” he jokes
“Truth be told, I don’t know how to make a bouquet,” Blackwell said with a laugh. “They’re the ones who are leading the way.”
His humility and focus on empowering youth are at the heart of Southside Blooms. The organization teaches leadership, responsibility, and environmental stewardship—all through flowers.
Star-studded night honors global changemakers
The CNN Heroes event featured appearances from stars like Meryl Streep and musician Jon Batiste. It also honored 15-year-old environmentalist Cash Daniels as Young Wonder and gave a Legacy Award to the late Robert Redford.
The tribute is available to stream on CNN+ and other connected platforms. It’s a yearly tradition celebrating everyday people who change lives in extraordinary ways.
Other finalists lead inspiring efforts across the U.S.
Blackwell was joined by four other 2025 finalists, each of whom received financial and public support for their work. Their causes range from animal rescue to food distribution and prison writing programs.
- Tim Woodward: Rescued over 10,000 animals through large-scale emergency response efforts.
- Hillary Cohen: Redistributes surplus food to hungry families across Connecticut.
- Anonymous: Runs a creative writing program for incarcerated people seeking healing.
- Anonymous: Rebuilds struggling communities with youth jobs and revitalization projects.
Support Southside Blooms and help it grow
From forgotten lots to vibrant flower fields, Quilen Blackwell has planted more than flowers—he’s growing hope. His work proves that transformation is possible when communities invest in their youth.
To support Southside Blooms or donate to their mission, visit: southsideblooms.com
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