We are thrilled to announce that Stephen Knight has been named the 2024 CNN Hero of the Year! Stephen, the founder of Dogs Matter, has dedicated his life to providing foster homes for dogs while their owners seek addiction treatment. His incredible work has not only saved countless pets but also supported individuals on their journey to recovery.
Stephen’s journey is truly inspiring. After battling addiction himself, he realized the importance of having a support system, including pets, during recovery. His organization, Dogs Matter, has helped over 1,200 dogs find temporary homes, allowing their owners to focus on getting better. This recognition is a testament to his steadfast commitment to making a difference in the lives of both humans and animals.
"This means everything!"
— CNN Heroes (@CNNHeroes) December 9, 2024
Congratulations to the 2024 CNN Hero of the Year Stephen Knight and Dogs Matter. Get involved: https://t.co/MkgzSomt7H. pic.twitter.com/KjZuvlzA43
Our founder and Houston’s Fitness Czar, Samir Becic, shared his congratulations: “Congratulations on a well-deserved honor! Stephen Knight, who provides foster homes for dogs while their owners seek addiction treatment.”
Honoring the Other Finalists
We also want to give praise to the other incredible finalists who have made a significant impact in their communities:
- Ron Davis Alvarez: Founder of Dream Orchestra in Gothenburg, Sweden, Ron has been helping refugees and immigrants learn musical instruments, fostering connections and improving lives through music.
- Payton McGriff: In Togo, Payton’s initiative, SHE (Style Her Empowered), created a ‘uniform that grows’ to help girls stay in school, empowering them through education and employment.
- Rachel Rutter: Rachel’s nonprofit, Project Libertad in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, offers legal, social, and emotional support to immigrant children, helping them heal from trauma and build new lives.
- Yamilé Toussaint: Through her nonprofit STEM From Dance in Brooklyn, New York, Yamilé uses dance to inspire girls of color to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields.
History of the CNN Hero Award
The CNN Hero Award was established in 2007 to honor individuals who make extraordinary contributions to humanitarian aid and make a difference in their communities. Each year, ten recipients are honored, and the top recipient is chosen as the CNN Hero of the Year, receiving additional support to continue their impactful work.
This Year’s Ceremony
The 2024 CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute was hosted by Anderson Cooper and Laura Coates. The event celebrated everyday people making extraordinary contributions to improve the lives of others. Notable guests included Bradley Cooper, Pedro Pascal, Oprah Winfrey, Misty Copeland, Zachary Quinto, Kelly Ripa, and Danai Gurira. Michael J. Fox was honored with the second annual CNN Heroes Legacy Award for his lifetime commitment to bringing hope to those diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.
"We'll trade?"@AndersonCooper holds CNN Hero Stephen Knight's dog named Jayde, while handing him his award. You can contribute to Stephen's nonprofit Dogs Matter right now at https://t.co/MkgzSomt7H. pic.twitter.com/q8FnGbz7b7
— CNN Heroes (@CNNHeroes) December 9, 2024
As the 2024 CNN Hero of the Year, Stephen Knight will receive $100,000 to expand his work. He and the other Top 5 CNN Heroes each receive a $10,000 cash award along with donation-matching up to $50,000 each from the Elevate Prize Foundation1. Knight will also receive an additional $50,000 from Elevate.
Join us in celebrating Stephen Knight and all the incredible heroes who are making the world a better place. Let’s continue to support and uplift those who dedicate their lives to helping others.
