Hidden Heroes are ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things to change the world for the better. Our award honors and supports social activism that gets results.  The Hidden Heroes Awards Program, which was launched in 2009, aims to inspire, educate and reward people who take personal responsibility for healing the world - carrying on the spirit and the love that inspired Andy to travel to Mississippi in 1964. The Hidden Heroes Award is presented each year to as many as five individuals whose work exemplifies the Foundation’s origins and mission: promoting human dignity, civil rights and social justice through actions characterized by great personal initiative, selflessness, fearlessness, compassion, imagination, and achievement.

The 2010 Hidden Heroes Award Ceremony will be held on Sunday, December 5th at the Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem. Full details will be available in September.

John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Operation HOPE

John Hope Bryant has been selected as one of the 2010 Hidden Heroes for his exemplary work to empower underserved communities. John, who has spent the last 18 years of his life as a social advocate for the financially disadvantaged, has been changing the lives of individuals in underserved communities since 1992. Immediately following the most devastating civil unrest in Los Angeles, he launched Operation HOPE, a social investment and financial empowerment organization, created to provide services for low-wealth and underserved communities through financial literacy and economic empowerment programs. John believes he can empower individuals, families and communities by helping them understand the financial system. HOPE supports communities through a network of adult-oriented HOPE Centers across the country and through Banking on Our Future, an award-winning financial literacy program aimed at teaching youth the benefits of wise money management.

Since its inception, Operation HOPE has successfully delivered services to more than 1.2 million individuals, started a Silver Rights Movement which has raised more than 900 million dollars and continues to provide services to 70 major U.S. cities, South Africa and most recently, Haiti. Because of John’s work to help Americans understand the “language of money,” in 2008, he was named vice-chair of the U.S. President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy. To find out more about John and his work to empower under-resourced communities, visit Operation HOPE >

Jennifer Papa, Founder and Executive Director, City Green

Jennifer Papa has been selected as one of the 2010 Hidden Heroes for her outstanding dedication and creativity in the establishment of City Green, which facilitates urban community, youth and school gardens in inner city communities. Jennifer founded City Green in 2004 with the vision of creating livable, green, sustainable communities to under-served cities in northern New Jersey. Through its innovative programs and the hard work of staff and volunteers, City Green has transformed vacant plots from hangouts for junkies to verdant gardens where kids learn to grow flowers and vegetables.

City Green provides the practical, technical and financial support to city residents to plant community gardens, bringing fresh produce to neighborhoods abandoned by supermarket chains. These gardens serve to enrich the lives of city residents while cultivating education in public health, nutrition and the environment. As a direct result of Jennifer’s dedication, communities have access to bountiful fresh produce; youth have volunteer, work and leadership opportunities in the community; and neighborhoods have welcoming natural respites that are a focal point for sociability, community involvement, cultural expression and individual empowerment. City Green is changing the world for the better as it promotes social justice and environmental equality through its greening efforts. Learn more about City Green >

Barbara Pasternack, Artistic Director, TheatreworksUSA

Barbara Pasternack has been chosen as a Hidden Hero for her work in bringing the magic of live performance to inner city children. Barbara is the Artistic Director of TheatreworksUSA, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating, producing, and providing access to professional theatre for young and family audiences nationwide, including disadvantaged youth and under-served communities.

Since its founding in 1961, TheatreworksUSA, has presented more than 80 million children and their families with opportunities to enjoy theatrical productions. Last year alone, the organization brought 21 productions to 44 states, reaching an audience of nearly three million people. Under Barbara’s artistic direction, the organization has enriched the lives of inner city children while giving young actors, writers, directors and designers an early opportunity to work in this field. The Foundation is delighted to support TheatreworksUSA’s goal of giving America's children their first thrilling day at the theatre and bringing access to the performing arts to under-served communities. Learn more about TheatreworksUSA >

Catherine Shimony and Joan Shifrin, Co-founders and Co-directors, Global Goods Partners

In 2005, Catherine and Joan founded Global Goods Partners to create income generation opportunities for women, their families, and their communities in marginalized areas of Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The goal of GGP, a fair-trade, nonprofit organization, is to alleviate poverty and promote social justice and empowerment by strengthening women-led development initiatives. The women’s collective efforts bring new sources of income and opportunity for their entire communities.

In their work supporting development initiatives around the world, Catherine and Joan met with many dynamic women who were creating beautiful textiles and handmade pieces. They recognized that the most effective way to support these women's groups’ efforts to bring about change in their communities was to help them gain access to the US market for their products. GGP provides direct market access through its website, www.globalgoodspartners.org, allowing women artisans skilled in sewing, knitting, and jewelry making to support themselves and their families. While GGP seeks to address some of the most immediate needs that these women have, the organization also offers support through technical consultations and grants. GGP provides women with much-needed markets and raises awareness in the US of the circumstances in which these women live and work, while also offering schools across the country a socially-conscious alternative fundraising program. Learn more about Global Goods Partners >

View past Hidden Heroes Award Winners >

Visit our application page for details about how to

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