Today we celebrate the magic of Chicago's own Quilen Blackwell, who just received CNN's Hero of the Year Award which honors “everyday people who are making extraordinary contributions to help improve the lives of others.”
He was chosen for his community work as the founder of Chicago Eco House, a nonprofit that employs at-risk youth to turn vacant lots into flower farms as part of an effort to curb violence in the city. His organization has been employing area 16- to 24-year-olds since 2014 at gardens in Englewood, Woodlawn, Washington Park and West Garfield Park.
And what they grow in those gardens also provides some of the flowers he sells through his Southside Blooms flower shop at 6250 S. Morgan Street in Englewood. Quilen said about the project, “Most people will see the trash, the vacant lots, but for me, I see potential.”
When he learned he won this award, Quilen said he was “absolutely stunned... (and) happy the award is focusing attention on a positive effort in the city." As CNN Hero of the Year, he will receive $100,000 to expand his work, and will also receive an additional $50,000 from the Elevate Prize Foundation.
This was the 19th annual broadcast of CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute. Notable guests who helped celebrate this year’s honorees included Meryl Streep, Jon Batiste, Regina Hall, Kelly Ripa, and more. The CNN Heroes Legacy Award was presented to the late Robert Redford and former Vice President Al Gore accepted the award on behalf of the Redford family.
