>> What started on vacant?

Lots on Chicago's South Side is now gaining national attention.

A local couple is turning empty land into flower farms with a mission to give at-risk youth a path forward.

They have been named CNN's Hero of the Year.

An honor celebrating community change makers from around the world.

The award comes at the $100,000 Prize and a growing spotlight.

They say their work is ready to bloom nationwide.

And joining us to talk about it all is Keeling and Hannah Blackwell.

Founders of Southside blooms.

Well, thank you both for joining us.

Exciting.

I'm sure you guys are excited.

Happy all the motions Guillen.

I want to start with you because what I find so interesting and fascinating is that you spoke in that.

>> You never thought you were going to be a farmer and b, nonetheless, a florist to tell me a little bit about what this achievement means for you and for the organization.

>> Yeah, I mean, this is this is absolutely amazing honor for now we are in is Asian.

But, you know, ready for the city of Chicago.

And it really affirms, you know, really NGO community that we have here.

That's working to bring healing to our our city.

You know, life or organization.

We really hope that this will open up doors nationwide so that we can build national cause for bay so we can create more jobs for young people here in Chicago and across the country.

And and, you know, definitely can't leave out Hannah.

You know, we do that.

We did this together.

So even though the you know, the ward has my name on it really was meet in hand at the co-founder, as well as all the youth for the real stars of organization because they're doing all the work.

So really just affirms the creativity and the abilities of our young people in our communities on the southwest side.

So Chicago and it's really quick.

The their their their talent is shining on a work >> I love that.

You know, you bring up that word that teamwork.

It had same question for you.

What was that feeling like to watch your husband on stage?

But also, you know, be awarded a this award.

>> Well, it was incredible.

I mean, you know, he if you kind of see on the video, he kind of looks out to the crowd was looking at me because we both were just like, oh, my gosh, I can't believe this just happened.

There's so much anticipation leading up to it and you don't want to, you know, get your hopes up.

But to see, you know, that happened.

I mean, it was it was something that I I won't forget.

And it just it affirms.

I feel like all the work that has gone into you know, as wife owes incredibly proud to see killing getting that because I know we've done it together, but he's you know, pushed it forward.

And, you know, we're always looking to him.

Me included to sort continue to lead the way.

And so it's just was incredible.

I think it also felt very timely because we've been really feeling like this needs to go to every inner city in the United States and to do that.

We really need a bigger platform and there's kind of like no bigger platform.

And CNN, you as far as getting that message out to the nation that we really desire to see all inner cities change all use, get a chance and to have their creativity really shine.

So it's not like just perfect time mean and just really incredible.

I'm sure not.

And just all the work that you guys put into it killing, can you tell me a little bit briefly what Southside blooms is all about?

>> Yes 501 C 3 nonprofit.

We're based here in Inglewood in really are big vision is to establish flowers as an anchor in history in the in the hood.

You know, so what that means?

It is trying to you know, currently about 8% of the fires that you see the next speaker coming in from overseas.

So we want really have all that wealth that's currently going other countries to remain right here in our city and right here United States so that we can put our young people to work so that we can rebuild our communities from the bottom up.

So at day, like that's really what we're doing here.

You know, we both sort our flower farms and then we put our youth to work as both floors.

And for our farmers.

>> Havoc in the have you seen some you heal through, you know, putting these flowers together?

Would you say the flowers are healing?

>> Totally.

I mean, you know, so for kind of you know, sort of an orthodox approach to community development.

So, you know, at first like a lot of people didn't really see the potential of it, you know, particularly like a lot of our young man.

You know, the thought is very eagerly that kind of thing.

But yes, like I mean, at this point we've worked with hundreds of over the last 10 years.

You know, through our workforce development program.

And, you know, we have been with us for over 3 years.

So, you know, the fact that they're sticking with this and they're staying off the street.

It really shows viability of flowers as a real career in industry, a choice for the south and west sides of Chicago.

And, you know, really, really excited that, you know, our young people are having a very real bottom up Gannett way to support themselves that they can pursue their dreams.

>> Yeah, I can imagine.

And Hannah, what would you say?

The winning this award means to the youth who work there?

>> Just more opportunity.

You more eyeballs means more people buying our flowers.

So, you know, the amount of flowers that we sell and arrangements and events that we book directly relates to how many we can hire.

We have you know, parents texting, say, like, hey, you know, so and so has cousin.

Could he worked for you guys?

We have like over 100 kids on our waitlist.

So all of east those, you know, directly to creating more jobs.

And that means people, you know, giving not telling about the opportunity to their friends, telling their relatives that this is a viable job right here in the community.

So we started we knew that one.

We have to live in the community for there to be community by him for them to accept this.

But to the jobs are created have to be right here in the community.

We have seen over and over again that that's been super vital.

So even though we sell nationwide, we do events all over Chicago and high in the news and everything.

Everything starts here in the community so that it's there is year.

It's very easy to get to.

And then from there, you know, we cannot pull resources from the rest of the city, which has proved to be a really important model.

>> Well, that's amazing.

I think it's wonderful how you guys hype each other up.

I can definitely feel the love and