Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Event/Special
CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute. Aired 9-10p ET
Aired December 13, 2020 - 21:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[21:00:00]
UNDENTIFIED MALE: Subaru and our retailers will have given over $200 million to both national and local charities all around the country. Tonight, we're here to not only pay tribute to these charity organizations, but to assist them in continuing their great work of helping others. And that my dear friends takes money.
So please join Subaru in donating to tonight's charity organizations. And if you do, Subaru will match your donations up to a total of $500,000. We at Subaru know firsthand that helping others creates love and that love always triumphs. So please help us share the love by donating now at CNNHeroes.com. Thank you very much.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Coming up, Jeffrey Wright honors heroes upholding democracy, and later we'll reveal your choice for this year's most inspiring moment and later, an unforgettable performance by Cynthia Erivo.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KELLY RIPA, CNN HEROES ALL-STAR TRIBUTE HOST: We're back with CNN Heroes. Please know that Subaru is matching all of your donations to all of the organizations we're highlighting tonight. So if you can give, go to CNNHeroes.com and click on the donate button.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN HEROES ALL-STAR TRIBUTE CO-HOST: Even in the face of a pandemic Americans turned out in record numbers during this year's election. The right to vote, though wasn't always available to all Americans began with just white male landowners and through hard fought battles in the Civil War, women's suffrage, the 1924 Indian citizenship Act and the civil rights movement. We added amendments and laws to ensure that all citizens can exercise this fundamental right.
RIPA: Here to showcase some of those heroes who work tirelessly to secure that right today. It's one of the founders of Brooklyn for Life, which is feeding frontline workers and helping small businesses during the pandemic. And one of the stars of the upcoming new feature the Batman filming now in London, he's Commissioner Gordon, which is perfect. Please welcome acclaimed actor Jeffrey Wright.
JEFFREY WRIGHT, BROOKLYN FOR LIFE FOUNDER: Democracy can be fragile. But each and every time it looks like it's hanging by a thread, the most powerful, miraculous and all inspiring thing happens. People phone, they mail in their balance. They stand in the rain, they think about their dreams and their hopes for their kids and families. I voted this year with my son, his first time. He exited our polling place in Brooklyn to applause. Americans wait for hours to lend their voice to the chorus of this magnificent country and they wait sometimes for days for their votes to be counted. It's a solemn and sacred right.
And when there are barriers built that limit who can and cannot show up at the polls whose vote will or will not be counted. We need leaders who will not be moved, who will do whatever is required to knock down those barriers.
[21:05:01]
Who will shout from mountain tops that everyone who is able owns the power of the vote, who will teach the younger generations to get into good trouble for the cause, and how to fight for the rights of all, even until their final hours on this earth.
This year, of all years, we lost one of those leaders, Congressman John Lewis, but because of his work, his love of our fragile democracy, his insistence that it'd be as described in the words that framing and because of the legacy passed down to countless new young leaders, we still insist, and we march and we organize, with our eyes forever fixed on the promise of America.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are seeing record numbers of people.
COOPER (voice-over): In 2020 voters made their voices heard on a massive scale, despite the threat of the pandemic.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There you go. Awesome.
COOPER: It was in many ways a celebration of democracy. After the election, the president refusing to accept the outcome. Americans defended the democratic process on the streets. Online.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How dare you try to silence the voice of the citizens.
COOPER: In local government.
AARON VAN LANGEVELDE, BOARD OF STATE CANVASSERS: We must not attempt to exercise power we simply don't have.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: An appeals court --
COOPER: And in court. Trump appointee Chris Krebs was in charge of securing the elections. When he insisted there had been no fraud. He was fired. He praised others like Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, for standing their ground on 60 Minutes.
CHRISTOPHER KREBS, FMR. U.S. DIRECTOR OF THE CYBERSECURITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY AGENCY: He put country before party in his holding a free and fair election in that state. There's some real heroes out there, there's some real patriots.
COOPER: Some patriots have spent their lives pushing for democracy, like Congressman John Lewis, who led a peaceful march for voting rights in Selma, Alabama, later, as Bloody Sunday.
The event ultimately helped pass the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965.
In July, his death was mourned as the end of an era.
DESMOND MEADE, VOTING RIGHTS ADVOCATE: This is our moment. This is our time and it's right now.
COOPER: But a new generation has continued his fight.
MEADE: We want peace!
CROWD: Free the vote!
COOPER: Veteran Desmond Meade is a lawyer and voting rights advocate. But years ago, he struggled with addiction and went to prison.
MEADE: With both felony convictions because I live in the state of Florida I lost the right to vote for the rest of my life.
COOPER: A relic of the Jim Crow era by 2016, the law was disenfranchising more than 1.4 million Floridians. Desmond decided that had to change.
NEIL VOLZ, FMR. REPUBLICAN LOBBYST: All across this state. There are people who are yearning to have their voices heard.
COOPER: Neil Volz, a former Republican lobbyist with his own felony conviction got involved.
VOLZ: It's bigger than right versus left or red versus blue. What's going on here, it's about humanity.
COOPER: Together, they started a campaign to restore voting rights to returning citizens who completed their sentences.
MEADE: It's about real American citizens that did something wrong that paid the price and deserve an opportunity to participate in our democracy.
VOLZ: Hey, hey what do you says, let my people vote today!
CROWD: Hey, hey what do you says, let my people vote today!
COOPER: In November 2018, amendment four passed with more than 60 percent of the vote.
MEADE: We were able to get people from all walks of life say yes, it's in those moments that were beautiful as a country.
COOPER: But months later, a new state law required returning citizens to pay all legal fines and fees before they could register to vote. Big obstacle for nearly 775,000 people.
MEADE: No, Floridians should be forced to choose between paying their rent or voting.
COOPER: The issue is still in court. But Desmond's nonprofit the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition has set up a hotline.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You have been some fines in Palm Beach?
COOPER: Raised $27 million to help people pay their debt and register to vote.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And welcome back to democracy the low pass, good to have you back.
MEADE: What's up family.
COOPER: Neil Volz, Desmond crisscross Florida, a cheerleader for democracy.
CROWD: This is what community looks like!
VOLZ: I don't think there's a better evangelist for democracy than somebody who lost the right to vote and then got it back.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We all going and to vote!
COOPER: And this October, Desmond finally cast his own ballot.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How long you been waiting on this day?
MEADE: All my life, man.
COOPER: It was his first time ever voting in a presidential election.
MEADE: I'm grateful to be able to participate in democracy and this has to be experienced by everybody.
COOPER: This year, more than 50,000 returning citizens finally got that same chance.
MEADE: Voting is something that's higher than politics. I think it really is. This is battle about human being.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[21:10:06]
COOPER: This year the country lost Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg when the court overturned many the pillars the 1965 Voting Rights Act and Shelby County v. holder. Ginsburg felt so strongly that the decision would lead to increased voter suppression that she read her dissent in full from the bench.
Democracy depends on citizens being engaged in the process and free and fair elections, and this past one saw record voter turnout. RIPA: If you go to CNNHeroes.com, you can click on the donate button for issue voter. This is a nonpartisan online platform that allows you to support or oppose new laws. It encourages you to share your views with your representatives, keeps track of their voting record, and ensures that your voice continues to be heard. We'll be right back.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Next, Yara Shahidi celebrates one of our young wonders. Leslie Odom Jr. shares a message from Mother Nature. And a special performance by Cynthia Erivo.
CNN Heroes, An All-Star Tribute is proudly sponsored by Novartis.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Hey, we're back. Our second young wonder is a force for change.
RIPA: Here to share her story is a change agent, one of the co- founders of Seven Sun Productions and the star of Grown-ish. Here's Yara Shahidi.
YARA SHAHIDI, AMERICAN ACTRESS: Here's what young people know. Young black, brown, indigenous, Asian, queer, and every other beautiful and powerful intersection. We know injustice surrounds us, and we're not going to be quiet any longer. Because when you can lose your life for wearing a hoodie, for jogging, driving, walking, eating, sleeping change isn't only necessary. It's the air we need to breathe new life into our futures.
That's why this time after George Floyd felt that knee on his neck, Tiana Day and her then 17 years of wisdom acted. She drew on the strength of her ancestors and helped organize her first protest. Tiana thought maybe 50 people would show but that June day, thousands marched for miles and for change in the glow and the glory of the Golden Gate Bridge.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
[21:15:01]
TIANA DAY, BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTESTER (voice-over): There's no better place to do a protest than the Golden Gate. There bridges a gap. And this is the gap of any quality. I just graduated high school, as well as saw the viral video of George Floyd's death.
I just felt this like kick feeling of like, I have all this fire in me. I had to do something.
I'm scrolling through my Instagram feed. And I see this girl, Mimi Zoila, who's like, we're going to have a protest on the Golden Gate Bridge, but we don't have a leader from the black community to lead it.
(on camera): And I was like, hey, like, I'll lead your protests. And she's like, you know, it's tomorrow, right?
(voice-over): So I made a little flyer, and I posted it on my social media. The permit Mimi obtained was 50 to 300 people.
And that day, thousands of people showed up --
CROWD: Black lives matter!
DAY: -- to march in solidarity.
(on camera): No justice, no peace!
(voice-over): There were people of all backgrounds. And it was really just a day where I felt so much love in the air.
TIAYADI DAY, TIANA'S DAD: I was elated that so many people felt empowered to take to the streets. Wow, we just went viral.
T. DAY: I grew up in Santa Rosa, California. And I felt very singled out being one of the only black girls in this area.
T. DAY: My dad grew up somewhere where police brutality is very normal.
(on camera): We know we are the generation of change.
(voice-over): My dad said you're around me a lot like myself when I was younger.
(on camera): He was telling me like when I was your age, I was very active in the Rodney King movement.
T. DAY: My dad was an activist, he was a member of Black Panther Party. It was just a part of who we are inside.
TIANA DAY (on camera): And for me to hear that I was like, Wwhoa, it's generational.
This was the first time ever made --
(voice-over): After the Golden Gate Bridge protests, I remember being like, how can I make a change in the world.
(on camera): What do we want?
CROWD: Justice!
TIANA DAY: When we do want it?
CROWD: Now!
T. DAY: So I founded youth advocates for change. And our mission is to amplify youth voices and inspire local action. I've led now seven protests.
T. DAY: I've seen her finally find her calling in life. And when you have a fire that's lit inside of you, there's nothing that can slow you down or stop you. T. DAY (voice-over): We need to see the world differently. We need to love each other. I have this platform now to help people who feel the same way that I do and it's changed my life forever.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COOPER: Just amazing.
RIPA: Incredible.
COOPER: Yes. Tiana joins us now. Congratulations.
DAY: Thank you guys so much.
RIPA: We're so happy to meet you. What did it feel like to have all of those people march with you that day?
DAY: It was indescribable. I mean, I I've seen it speechless every time I talk about it, because I'd never done anything like that I'd never let a march, I'd never been involved in activism. And now it's, like I said, changed my life forever.
COOPER: Tell us about the black youth scholarship fund that you've started.
DAY: So within my nonprofit Youth Advocates for Change, we created a scholarship fund to help black students go to college. And so far we've raised $25,000. And our fun continues to grow every day. It's amazing. It's incredible. And I can't believe that we've gained this much support in only six months.
RIPA: I mean, she is so you're so impressive. What's your hope for 2021?
DAY: My hope for 2021 is for my nonprofit to grow. I mean, right now we have over 50 students who are working with us. We have four different chapters in different states. And in six months, we've accomplished so many things. And I'm just so excited for what the future is going to bring including the podcast where we talk about education and how we can diversify and make it more inclusive to all students.
RIPA: Wow.
COOPER: Yes, it's so great to meet you. Thanks for all you're doing.
RIPA: Congratulations again.
DAY: Thank you guys.
RIPA: Wow. Now let's talk about another topic that young people really care about the climate crisis. When it comes to the environment one thing is clear, Mother Nature is pissed, like really pissed at all of us about the damage we're doing to our planet.
COOPER: Joining us now a champion for Feeding America. He just released the Christmas album and it's one of the stars the forthcoming film One Night in Miami. Leslie Odom Jr.
LESLIE ODOM JR., ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI ACTOR: This year, we had so many storms that we ran out of Hurricane names and had to turn to the Greek alphabet. Not always a great side when that happens.
Our communities are still cleaning up and rebuilding many still living in hotels and temporary housing. Here's why, our storms are changing.
A recent report from Japan studied the major hurricanes that made landfall in the U.S. from 1967 to 2018. What they discovered was at 50 years ago, storms would lose most of their power within hours of hitting land.
[21:20:03]
But today, because of the climate crisis storms now remain powerful for nearly twice as long, look at the fires that happened this year, remember the sky, the darkness of high noon, the masks needed to breathe, not just protect. How about the extreme drought in the northeast, the mass extinction of wildlife the inequities climate change causes, such as lack of access to basics like clean water.
All of it is daunting. And it'll get worse if we do nothing. But here's how. When the world shut down for two months, Mother Nature took a deep breath and showed us that all was not lost, that there was a way to heal.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
COOPER (voice-over): This past spring high above the earth, satellites began capturing the promise of what could be if we take better care of our planet. And NASA scientists took notice.
DR. LESLEY OTT, NASA ATMOSPHERIC SCIENTIST: As soon as we saw numerous economies go on lockdown, and people really change their behavior because of COVID-19. We also started to see drops in air pollution levels. We can actually see that from satellites with a gas called nitrogen dioxide, which is emitted by cars power plants anytime you burn fossil fuels. We noted as soon as those lockdowns took place, there were dramatic reductions in nitrogen dioxide concentrations across a number of cities.
COOPER: The whole world seemed different. You could hear birds in New York City, the sky in Los Angeles look clearer and more blue than it had in years. In northern India, clearer skies made the Himalayas visible to people for more than 100 miles away.
In Venice, the absence of boats in the canals turning up sediment from the ground allowed the typically murky waters to settle, revealing life below the surface. And around the world, wild animals were spotted roaming desolate streets, reclaiming habitats where they once freely thrived.
For many the glimpse of a cleaner, more symbiotic world between mankind and nature was a wake up call, for others a call to action to truly tackle a climate crisis and its effects head on. Perhaps it offers lessons for the kind of world we can rebuild together. Starting now.
OTT: When it comes to climate change there are certain things we can do in our own lives. We can reduce the amount of travel we do, the amount of driving we can do, we can try to make sure our homes are as energy efficient as possible. We know that if we get together and we change our activity that can change the trajectory of whole planet.
GRETA THUNBERG, CLIMATE CHANGE ACTIVIST: Never give up.
COOPER: And young climate activists like Greta Thunberg are already paving the future path with their work to protect the planet.
THUNBERG: No one is too small (INAUDIBLE).
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COOPER: If you want to do something to help go to CNNHeroes.com. You can click on the donate button for water.org. They've helped change the lives of people all over the world by bringing access to safe water and sanitation, which matters in the middle of a pandemic and help us break the cycle of poverty.
RIPA: And now let's have a look at another one of this year's most inspiring moments.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
COOPER (voice-over): In Florence, people sang the Italian national anthem. Chicago they countered the sorrow with living on a prayer. And a Broadway legend Brian Stokes Mitchell serenaded us with the Impossible Dream from his balcony. All over the world we found a way to lift each other up and connect to the power of music.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Music is a healing force of the world.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE Music is a reflection of nature. It's the heartbeat.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Music calms the anger, the fear, the uncertainty.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And music is a respite during the pandemic.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Healing power of music cannot be over emphasized.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's the sound of joy and happiness and celebration.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We escaped by worries with strangers who soon become friends.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Music is a very powerful force. So keep listening to music and kudos to the music makers of the world.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Coming up next, Glenn Close and later Orlando Bloom and the performance by Cynthia Erivo. CNN Heroes, An All Star Tribute is brought to you by Cisco: The Bridge to Possible.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[21:28:24]
COOPER: Over the summer, the Centers for Disease Control issued a study measuring the cost the pandemic and economic recession on our mental health. The numbers are staggering, and it's clear that people are suffering.
RIPA: Here to introduce us to some CNN Heroes who are trying to help people confront this grief and loss and trauma is a champion for mental health. Ten years ago she co founded Bring Change to Mind with her sister who lives with bipolar disorder to increase awareness and end the stigma. She's an Academy Award nominated actor, one of the stars of the new film Hillbilly Elegy, Glenn Close.
GLENN CLOSE, ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATED ACTOR: The poet William Matthews wrote this grief unites us like the locked antlers of moose who die on their knees in pairs. Even though we're keeping our distance in order to keep one another safe. We're still profoundly connected, locked together. Because we are all living in a world filled with grief and loss, all kinds of it.
Too many families and friends are missing their loved ones taken by COVID-19. And millions and millions feel the sorrow that comes from losing their job, their sense of purpose in the community. Health care workers and first responders are carrying mountains of trauma. Students all across this country, long for their old lives to play together, to learn together and to rejoice together.
Countless black men, women and children are filled with despair and anxiety, not knowing if they will be harmed because of the color of their skin.
[21:30:02]
If loved ones will be returning home at the end of each day, these times are wreaking havoc on our collective mental health. Our brains are magnificent, complicated, and fragile, 3.5 pound organs of wonder. But they need care, especially in hard times.
One of the greatest things we can do is talk about our pain. Get rid of the stigma, seek help, maybe even adopt a Sir Pippin. But the more we do, the more we see that we aren't alone, but locks together doing our best to make our way toward that brighter day ahead.
MARY ROBINSON, FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, IMAGINE: There's a pandemic of grief right now. As human beings, we grieve all types of loss. It's absolutely essential to give ourselves permission to grieve.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN HEROES ALL-STAR TRIBUTE HOST (voice-over): Two CNN Heroes, Annette March-Grier and Mary Robinson have spent decades teaching children and families how to cope with grief. Now, their work offers lessons for all of us. ROBINSON: Our job is to really give an opportunity to people to talk, to express their feelings that actually helps us solve problems.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It won't be very bad.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What have you found this loss?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Life is precious and time limited.
ANNETTE MARCH-GRIER, PRESIDENT AND CO-FOUNDER, ROBERTA'S HOUSE: Months into the pandemic, I see people struggling even harder now. Mental health is a real concern. So much anxiety, fear, sadness, as well as the isolation, people are grieving. And no one should grieve alone.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK, you guys are loud now.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Inhale and exhale. And do that a couple of times. Do it from your toenail all the way up to the last strand of hair in your head.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're still here. Our lives matter.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
COOPER (voice-over): Recognizing the pain, whether from the pandemic or racial injustice is where the healing begins.
MARCH-GRIER: An important part of helping people to heal is recognizing their traumatic experiences, police brutality, injustices, discrimination. It's like a domino effect. We do internalize and suffer as a result of these wounds. It can be violent, it can be constructive. But moving our pain towards our passion can be an opportunity for growth.
ROBINSON: So when we're grieving and having all kinds of feelings, know that that's not something you're going to have forever. There are things that we can do to support ourselves.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. Man (ph) ...
MARCH-GRIER: To have a pet is so therapeutic right now. Releasing of those endorphins relaxes our bodies and calms our spirit.
ROBINSON: Move your body, get physical be out in nature that's really good for our brain functioning and for reducing stress.
MARCH-GRIER: Connecting with others is a crucial component of our own wellbeing.
COOPER (voice-over): Social isolation has had an especially devastating effect on the mental and emotional health of the elderly.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Zippity doo dah zippity yay.
COOPER (voice-over): But there is a weapon against cognitive decline. Music. Scientifically proven to improve brain and motor function. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Please don't take the sunshine away.
COOPER (voice-over): Music can connect people, sharpen minds and even restore memories, ultimately, bringing us back to our joy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Doo-bee-doo-bee-do-bah, doo-doo-doo-doo-bee-doo- doo.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Inaudible)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh my god, where's my Kleenex?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
RIPA: This is such important work. If you need help, please ask for it. Call the hotline below. Reach out to professionals and know that you are not alone. And we can all help by expanding access to mental health and ending the stigma by going to CNNHeroes.com and click on the donate button for brain change to mind.
COOPER: Those who are struggling need organizations like these that serve others more than ever. We're glad to partner with the Annenberg Foundation that supports organizations. They've been a strong champion for our CNN Heroes for many years and provide critical training programs for free. They'll continue their partnership by offering virtually a special Alchemy plus training for all the top 10 heroes from the past eight years, specifically designed to make sure that our heroes have the tools to weather this economic storm.
[21:35:09]
Alchemy Plus is part of the foundation signature capacity building program that's been offered for free to more than 3,000 nonprofits in California.
RIPA: That is fantastic.
COOPER: Yes.
RIPA: Really. And it will do so much good. And now let's bring a little bit more hope to our lives. Here's another of this year's Most Inspiring Moments.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER (voice-over): When the call rang out, for PPE to keep our frontline workers safe, Americans responded with great generosity. The workers at Braskem America did something extraordinary. They moved in and quarantined in to their manufacturing plants for nearly an entire month to get the job done.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's the team, the boys.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I witnessed a lot of stuff going out on the COVID and emergency rooms and a lot of PPE wear that was low.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This group of people went out of their way and they didn't have to do this.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: These guys went their extra mile just to stay there for a whole month to make sure that hospitals and businesses had their gloves, their PPE wear.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They shows how unselfish people are in times of need.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They brought out what the country really is.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I really respect you guys what you do every day. I just want to say thank you very much.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Coming up, Finn Wolfhard salutes a young wonder. And Orlando Bloom honors the artist he kept us entertained during lockdown. CNN Heroes and all-star tribute is brought to you by Rocket Mortgage. Need to know what it takes for a home loan to fit your budget and family? Rocket can.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
RIPA: Welcome back. Our final young wonder is a first. I don't think we've ever honored a young person who can do what he can.
[21:40:01]
COOPER: Now, to tell us his story, please welcome a proud supporter of Amazon Watch, which promotes indigenous led solutions to climate change in the Amazon basin. And one of the stars of phenomenal "Stranger Things" actor and musician Finn Wolfhard.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FINN WOLFHARD, CANADIAN ACTOR: Listen, if you're thinking that you can't do anything to help out during this crisis, you're wrong. We've all got something that we can do. Simple stuff like thanking the frontline workers or donating food. And then some of us know how to fly a plane at the age of 16 like TJ Kim.
Sure, flying is amazing, but it's what he does with a special skill that is the coolest thing in the world. He saw that many hospitals in rural areas weren't getting enough masks, gloves and other equipment. So, he will get the plane, talked over his parents and set out on the most extraordinary mission.
T.J. KIM, TEENAGER FROM VIRGINIA WHO DELIVERS PPE TO TIDALHEALTH: Ever since I was around nine years old, I've wanted to become a Navy pilot. It's kind of in like my childhood dream. So being able to join a flight school and pursue my dream of flying has been really amazing.
Once everything started to really shut down like school, or lacrosse season, flight training was really one of the only things I had left. And so, I talked with my dad and together we came up with the idea of Operation SOS. We donate face masks, face shields, eye goggles, shoe coverings, full gang coverings, and also more recently, ventilator supplies to rural hospitals.
KIM: Clear (inaudible).
DAVE POWELL, AERO ELITE FLIGHT SCHOOL: I'm TJ's primary instructor. When he first came to me with the idea, I was taken aback. To see such a young person be so selfless is just an awesome feeling.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: 222-17 (ph) lifting off.
POWELL: A lot of those rural areas have smaller airports. A bit more challenging, because the runways aren't as long, they're not as wide, not typically what we would train in. And he's done really, really well with that. He has such a bright future.
KIM: The initial goal was to go to each of the seven critical access hospitals in Virginia. Now I'm on flight number 18, so I've voice surpassed that.
SCOTT PHILLIPS, TIDALHEALTH PENINSULA REGIONAL: How was your flight?
KIM: It was good. I'm up to now around 63,300 total PPEs delivered.
PHILLIPS: Today was a pretty exciting day. It's not often that we get supplies delivered via student pilot. Thank you.
KIM: Compared to the big city hospitals where everyone wants to donate, the rural hospitals feel left out sometimes.
PHILLIPS: Appreciate all your efforts there.
KIM: Thank you.
PHILLIPS: You're welcome.
KIM: Just seeing how happy it makes them that someone cared about them and reached out to them, that really is what makes the whole Operation SOS worth it. As long as the whole pandemic is going on. They're still putting themselves in danger and they are still in need of supplies. I need to keep going out and supplying them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
RIPA: I mean --
COOPER: So awesome.
RIPA: Incredible.
COOPER: TJ Kevin joins us now. Hey, congratulations, TJ.
KIM: Thank you so much on this award. I'm really honored to be here.
RIPA: (Inaudible) for us.
COOPER: You really totally deserve it. It's so impressive what you've done. I know you expand it into another state to West Virginia. How did you pick that?
KIM: Well, I wanted to go out to West Virginia, especially because they're one of the hardest hit states when it comes to COVID cases across America. And they have a lot of rural communities that I wanted to reach out to and serve.
Recently, I went out to Broaddus Hospital in Philippi, West Virginia. And I made a delivery to them. There are 12 bed hospital just crushed by COVID, and they told me that my delivery would supply them for the next four to six weeks. So just really being able to go out to those small communities is really what made me want to go out to West Virginia.
RIPA: Wow. And we understand that you want to be a Navy pilot, is that right?
KIM: Yes, ma'am. That would be correct.
COOPER: So would you want to go to the Naval Academy?
KIM: Yes, sir. That's been my dream ever since I was nine years old. I've wanted to be a Navy pilot. And so just working toward that and recently being able to learn how to fly and pursue pilot's license has been great and getting me toward that.
COOPER: Well, it's so amazing all the work you're doing. Thank you so much for everything.
KIM: Thank you, sir, for having me.
COOPER: Such an honor.
RIPA: Thanks, TJ.
COOPER: Our next presenter is going to remind us how much art played a role in helping us get through the hardships of this year.
RIPA: Please welcome UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and the star of "Retaliation" and "The Outpost", Orlando Bloom.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ORLANDO BLOOM, UNICEF GOODWILL AMBASSADOR: When the lockdown hit, we were all scared, uncertain about how things would unfold. But one thing we realized right away was the countless people would need help. Help with the basics like food, shelter, and health care. They need support to keep family businesses open.
Artists were struggling too. Theaters were locked, galleries shut, concerts and productions cancelled. They would all need assistance. So artists in every field rallied to raise awareness and hundreds of millions of dollars to care for those struggling. That need continues and so does the need for a little rest bite from the relentless difficulties of this pandemic.
[21:45:16] So artists organized to do that too. Our favorite characters from films, and TV shows, held reunions, and scripted readings to bring a little bit of joy to all of our lives. DJs held online dance parties and hip hop battles so we can let our head down a little. Authors and poets gave us their words and truth. Musicians and dancers filled our neighborhood streets to help us pores. Sidewalks and driveways came to life with colorful messages of hope.
Art did what it's supposed to do. It united, comforted and brought us together in the name of a common humanity, in the name of love.
COOPER (voice-over): Art may have been deemed non-essential as the world locked down, but for so many, it remained fundamental to life in all its many forms. Early on DJ D-Nice realized he could use his art to help lift spirits in quarantine.
DERRICK JONES "D-NICE", AMERICAN DISC JOCKEY: I was home alone, you know, I wasn't with my kids. And I was still trying to figure out a way to stay connected. I was also scared, you know, like most people in the world. And I sat at the counter, and I started playing songs into my phone. And I was sharing stories. People started to feel connected, and they were pretending that they were in a club.
COOPER (voice-over): D-Nice's Instagram lives were dubbed club quarantine, quickly took off, growing an audience of at least 100,000 people on any given night. The music he played was part of the draw, everything from Sister Sledge to Usher.
D-NICE: I played a lot of old school songs that would kind of like just take people back to a peaceful, peaceful place in life. I was giving something to people that they didn't know they really needed. They needed to get with their families in the living room and they talk about how, you know, what I did save them. I also want people to know that what they did for me saved me as well.
COOPER (voice-over): Quarantine force TV and movie productions to shut down because we all quickly learned a lot can be done from home. Actor Josh Gad brought together cast and crews from classic movies as part of his web series, Reunited Apart.
And beloved cast from favorites like "30 Rock", "Parks and Rec" and "Father of the Bride" --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Officiate.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKERS (in unison): Officiate.
COOPER: As well as other big stars stage virtual reunions and table reads.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. Spicoli (ph)?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
COOPER (voice-over): Not only did these specials give us joy and a break from reality, they raise funds and awareness for important causes.
And from his living room --
JOHN KRASINSKI, ACTOR: Good evening, everybody.
COOPER (voice-over): Actor Director John Krasinski brought us some good news. A web series he created and hosted that shared positive stories.
KRASINSKI: Class of 2020, what is up?
COOPER (voice-over): Celebrated the class of 2020.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Happy graduation,
KRASINSKI: Happy graduation.
COOPER (voice-over): And even gave a Hamilton superfan, the ultimate surprise.
ALEXANDER HAMILTON: My name is Alexander Hamilton, and there's a million things I haven't done.
COOPER (voice-over): The widely watched YouTube series showed millions that during the darkest of times, we can always find something to smile about even in our own front yards.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKERS (in unison): Happy birthday to you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
RIPA: There's simply no organization like make a wish America. Children who are battling diseases have an opportunity to look outside their illness and have joy in their life. And many reach out to their favorite artists who time and time again provide much needed joy to them and their families. To support them, go to CNNHeroes.com and click on the donate page.
COOPER: And coming up, we'll show you the moment you chose is this yours most inspiring.
RIPA: And that moment is extraordinary. It's still gives me goosebumps. We'll be right back.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Next, your choice for this year's Most Inspiring Moment. And Cynthia Erivo salutes all of this year's heroes. The 14th Annual CNN Heroes and all-star tribute is sponsored by Subaru. Proudly matching every dollar donated to CNN Heroes featured organizations.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[21:52:55]
RIPA: Welcome back to CNN Heroes. In just a moment we'll hear a powerful performance from the amazing Cynthia Erivo. COOPER: But before that, throughout the night, we've been showing some of this year's most inspiring moments and you've been voting and telling us why you chose each moment. Now let's take a look at your favorite.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER (voice-over): Sometimes a photograph can capture the mood and the attention of the world. In June, one image did just that.
During protests on the streets of London, events turned violent. Black Lives Matter group was there to condemn statues and people with racist ties and many white protesters were there to protect the statues. Things got heated, one man, Bryn Male, a white former police officer wandered into the crowd and he started to get beat up.
One of the Black Lives Matter protesters, Patrick Hutchinson saw that he was in peril. Patrick moved in, picked up the injured Bryn, carried him through the crowd to safety.
PATRICK HUTCHINSON, HELPED BRYN MALE: The biggest thing for me was making sure that no harm came to him because I knew if harm had come to him, the narrative would just be changed and then the blame would be full on the young Black Lives Matters protesters. We've made sure we got him out of there safely.
COOPER (voice-over): Patrick, a father and grandfather hopes that everyone who sees the image understands that the responsibility to do the right thing resides in all of us.
HUTCHINSON: We just want equality for all races, for all people so that right now we're the ones who seem to be the oppressed ones and it's about time, things were changed, you know, the world over.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Patrick, you are the best of humanity.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And I'm just proud that he did help.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This was lifting someone up, not holding them down.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have three sons and I really pray that they grew up to be just like that man,
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This disregarded all differences, and he regarded human life.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's a reminder of how powerful love is.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This man show that humanity prevails no matter what.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: You're with the song sure to raise all our spirits. She's a proud supporter of The Loveland Foundation, which works to bring opportunity and healing to communities of color, especially to black women and girls.
[21:55:06]
RIPA: She has a debut album coming out in 2021 and a new single set for spring and she was just nominated for another Grammy Award. That's right. Her voice is simply divine, performing David Bowie's classic and stirring heroes. Here is Cynthia Erivo
CYNTHIA ERIVO, SINGER & ACTRESS: (Singing)
COOPER: She's right.
RIPA: She's fabulous.
Well, thank you for spending this time with us tonight. We know that times are tough, but if you can, support the organizations we talked about, go to CNNHeroes.com.
COOPER: And next year, thanks to the efforts of so many heroes in the medical and scientific community. We expect to be back underneath the belly of the whale. Until then, stay safe and wear a mask.
If you know someone who's doing extraordinary work, you can nominate them to be a CNN Hero in 2021 right now. We hope some of these stories have inspired you to get involved and do your part because you too can be somebody's hero.
Thank you and good night.
RIPA: Good night.
