Flower Farms Flourish Hope in Chicago Neighborhoods

Quick Smiles:

• Southside Blooms and Chicago Eco House transform vacant lots into vibrant eco-friendly flower farms.
• Youth are empowered with jobs while reducing reliance on imported flowers.
• Founder Quilen Blackwell wins CNN Hero of the Year for his impact.

On Chicago’s South Side, Quilen Blackwell and his wife Hannah Bonham are turning empty lots into beautiful flower farms with their nonprofits, Southside Blooms and Chicago Eco House.

Their work is creating job opportunities for local youth and nurturing positive change in underserved neighborhoods.

Their efforts not only give young people meaningful work but also help reduce the billions spent importing cut flowers each year.

Blackwell’s inspiring vision recently earned him the CNN Hero of the Year Award, and a prize to support their mission.

As the team transforms more vacant spaces, local teens and young adults learn new skills and help brighten their own communities.

“I said, ‘Wait a minute. Why are we importing flowers from other countries when we have all this land, all of this youth? Maybe flowers are the answer.’”

By 2021, six lots had already blossomed into solar-powered farms, and the work continues to bloom.

Southside Blooms employs 25 young people and plans to open a second location soon, sharing hope—and flowers—across the city.

“A lot of the most beautiful flowers we grow do very well in adverse conditions, and that’s just like the people here.”

Let’s help positivity take root by celebrating these inspiring changemakers today.

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