New York (CNN) — 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 centerpiece. I don’t know how to make a bouquet,” he said. “They’re the ones who are leading the way.”

Blackwell, 40, never envisioned a career in farming or the floral busine

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