NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: 2018 Top 10 CNN Heroes Luke Mickelson, Maria Rose Belding, Dr. Rob Gore, Ellen Stackable, Florence Phillips, Abisoye Ajayi-Akinfolarin, Susan Munsey, Chris Stout, Dr. Ricardo Pun-Chong pose with Kelly Ripa and Anderson Cooper during the 12th Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at American Museum of Natural History on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for CNN)
The 2018 CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute held on Sunday night (December 9) at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
The CNN Heroes is held annually to honor people for their extraordinary acts.
This year, Nigeria’s Abisoye Ajayi-Akinfolarin was joined by Luke Mickelson, Maria Rose Belding, Dr. Rob Gore, Ellen Stackable, Florence Phillips, Susan Munsey, Amanda Boxtel, Chris Stout, and Dr. Ricardo Pun-Chong as the top 10 CNN Heroes of 2018.
We are so proud of Abisoye Ajayi-Akinfolarin. Her free program, GirlsCoding, has helped hundreds of disadvantaged girls in Lagos, Nigeria, gain the technical skills and confidence to transform their lives.
We love how Abisoye has found a way to use her knowledge and inspiration to help countless others.
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Abisoye Ajayi-Akinfolarin attends the 12th Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at American Museum of Natural History on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for CNN)
Each of the CNN heroes will receive a $10,000 cash prize. During the event, last night, one of the 10 was named “CNN Hero of the Year,” and received an additional $100,000 for his cause. The winner was Dr. Ricardo Pun-Chong, for his tireless work helping families with young children who come into his hospital in Lima, Peru.
During the event, Nigeria’s Abisoye Ajayi-Akinfolarin asked the world to “join us in this fight”.
“Technology is a space that’s dominated by men. Why should we leave that to guys?” she said. “I believe girls need opportunities.”
See all the photos below.
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Cynthia Erivo attends the 12th Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at American Museum of Natural History on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for CNN )
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Kelly Ripa attends the 12th Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at American Museum of Natural History on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for CNN )
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Anderson Cooper attends the 12th Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at American Museum of Natural History on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for CNN )
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Omari Hardwick attends the 12th Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at American Museum of Natural History on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for CNN )
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Ryan Michelle Bathe attends the 12th Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at American Museum of Natural History on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for CNN)
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Will Ferrell attends the 12th Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at American Museum of Natural History on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for CNN)
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Danai Gurira attend the 12th Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at American Museum of Natural History on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for CNN)
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: 2018 CNN Hero Abisoye Ajayi-Akinfolarin onstage during the 12th Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at American Museum of Natural History on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for CNN)
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: (L-R) Ryan Michelle Bathe, Danai Gurira, and Margot Bingham pose backstage during the 12th Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at American Museum of Natural History on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for CNN)
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Amanda Boxtel speaks onstage during the 12th Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at American Museum of Natural History on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for CNN)
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Dr. Ricardo Pun-Chong speaks onstage during the 12th Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at American Museum of Natural History on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for CNN )
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Amanda Boxtel speaks onstage during the 12th Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at American Museum of Natural History on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for CNN )
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: (L-R) 2018 Top 10 CNN Heroes Luke Mickelson, Florence Phillips, Ellen Stackable, Chris Stout, Hero of the Year Dr. Ricardo Pun-Chong, Dr. Rob Gore, Maria Rose Belding, Abisoye Ajayi-Akinfolarin, Susan Munsey, and Amanda Boxtel pose onstage during the 12th Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at American Museum of Natural History on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for CNN)
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Michael Loccisano | Kevin Mazur
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