CNN's Hero of the Year: Dr. Kwane Stewart of Project Street Vet Delivers Surprise During Acceptance Speech

NEW YORK, December 10, 2023 – Dr. Kwane Stewart is the 2023 CNN Hero of the Year. The veterinarian whose nonprofit, Project Street Vet, provides free veterinary care, treatment, and support to the pets of individuals experiencing homelessness and/or housing vulnerability received the honor during a CNN Broadcast on Sunday.

Online voters selected Stewart from among this year’s Top 10 CNN Heroes.

“I’ve wanted to be a veterinarian my whole life, since I was a child,” Stewart said when accepting the award. “I’m so lucky to be doing what I’m doing.”

“It doesn’t matter what your situation is … I see a pet in need, and I see a person who cares for them dearly who just needs some help,” Stewart said.

As CNN Hero of the Year, Stewart receives $100,000 to expand his work and will also be named an Elevate Prize winner, which comes with $300,000 in unrestricted funding and resources from The Elevate Prize Foundation.

Stewart delivered a surprise to his fellow nominees during an emotional acceptance speech.

“As I get older, I begin thinking about those big questions in life. Why are we here? What defines. What makes us human? And I think the answer, at least for me, is in the question. What does it mean to be human? And I believe it is humanity. It’s looking out for each other. Believing in one another. Helping each other” Stewart shared. Turning to look toward his fellow nominees on the stage, Stewart continued, “All of these people embody that.”

Stewart surprised the nominees and the audience as he continued on to say, “This part wasn’t planned, but the hundred thousand I want to celebrate with all of you. It spilts pretty evenly ten ways. It’s my contribution to all of us. I want to say it is an honor to know you and be a part of this fraternity. I am here partly because I’ve been willing to share and give throughout my life and there is no reason to stop now.”

Stewert’s generosity met with applause and joyful shouts from the audience and the nominees, who saw their $10,000 awards doubled to $20,000 thanks to Stewart’s spontaneous generosity.

CNN’s profile of Stewart can be viewed here: CNN Profile of Kwayne Stewart