CNN Heroes: Meet the Blue Ribbon Panel
(CNN) -- A Blue Ribbon Panel of distinguished leaders and humanitarians
-- including Gen. Colin Powell, Whoopi Goldberg and Sir Elton John -- has selected
2009's Top 10 CNN Heroes.
CNN will announce the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year and honor the Top 10 CNN
Heroes in a star-studded gala celebration, "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute"
on Thanksgiving, November 26, from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.
Also among the Blue Ribbon Panelists is Malaak Compton-Rock, founder and
director of The Angelrock Project, an online e-village that promotes volunteerism,
social responsibility and sustainable change.
"Being a panelist is really special," Compton-Rock told CNN's Anderson
Cooper. "This happens to be my favorite awards show -- not the Emmys, not
the Oscars, not the Grammys or the MTV awards -- but this show.
"So, when I got the invitation in the mail, I was ecstatic -- I mean,
I ran around the house, I told my husband, I was so excited. It's a privilege
to even be in the company of my other panelists, first of all, and to be able
to learn so much about people who are changing the world."
Learn more about Compton-Rock and the other members of the Blue Ribbon Panel,
all of them heroes to others through their continuing commitment to public service:
Wallis Annenberg, Philanthropist and community advocate
Considered a visionary philanthropist and leader, Annenberg is committed to
improving the well-being of people and communities worldwide. She is the chairman
of the board, president and CEO of the Annenberg Foundation, which has given
more than $250 million dollars in "high-impact" grants to over 500
organizations. Her
cause
Tory Burch, Designer, entrepreneur and humanitarian
Burch is an award-winning fashion designer who launched the Tory Burch Foundation,
which provides economic opportunities to low-income women and their families
in the United States. Under her direction, the foundation helps women entrepreneurs
access financial tools that improve their lives. (Photo provided by Tory Burch)
Her causes: 1 | 2
Kirk Cameron, Actor, producer and author
Cameron is a Golden Globe nominated actor who, with his wife, founded Camp
Firefly, a week-long retreat for terminally and seriously ill children and their
families. He is the producer and co-host of a spirituality-based reality television
program airing weekly in over 100 countries. His
cause
Malaak Compton-Rock, Humanitarian, public speaker and author
Compton-Rock is the founder and director of The Angelrock Project, an online
e-village that promotes volunteerism, social responsibility and sustainable
change. She creates and champions initiatives focused on at-risk and orphaned
youth, child abuse awareness and prevention, and Triple Negative Breast Cancer.
Her cause
Whoopi Goldberg, Actress, author, producer and humanitarian
Considered a premier talent in the entertainment industry, Goldberg is an Oscar,
Emmy, Tony and Grammy Award winner. She is a Goodwill Ambassador to the United
Nations and supports a number of humanitarian efforts on behalf of children,
the homeless, human rights, education, substance abuse and the fight against
HIV/AIDS.
Phil Jackson, NBA coach, author and philanthropist
The head coach of the L.A. Lakers, Jackson has won an NBA-record 10 championships
and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007. He is a longtime
supporter of the American Indian College Fund, which provides scholarships and
support for Native American students and tribal colleges. His
cause
Sir Elton John, Singer, songwriter, composer and humanitarian
A renowned singer/songwriter and performer, John is one of the top selling
solo artists of all time and recipient of Grammy Awards, Tony Awards and an
Oscar. He is founder and chairman of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which supports
HIV/AIDS prevention and service programs in 55 countries. (Photo: Deborah Anderson)
His cause
Masi Oka, Actor and humanitarian
Oka is a Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated actor and star of NBC's Heroes.
As a member of the American Red Cross' National Celebrity Cabinet, he donates
his time, skills and energy to help raise awareness of the organization's initiatives,
services and response efforts nationwide. His
cause
Mariane Pearl, International journalist, author and speaker
Pearl is an award-winning journalist and author, and a member of the Daniel
Pearl Foundation's honorary board. Formed in memory of her husband, the Wall
Street Journal reporter kidnapped and murdered in Pakistan in 2002, its mission
is to promote cross-cultural understanding. (Photo: Martin de la Serna) Her
causes: 1 | 2
Retired Gen. Colin Powell, Presidential Medals of Freedom recipient,
statesman, author
Powell is a retired four-star general, former U.S. Secretary of State, and
former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He is the founding chairman of
America's Promise Alliance, an alliance of national partner organizations advocating
for the needs of young people and encouraging Americans to engage in volunteer
service. His
cause
Rossana Rosado, Journalist and community advocate
Rosado is publisher and CEO of El Diario La Prensa, the oldest Spanish-language
daily newspaper in the United States. She serves on the boards of many New York
organizations advocating for women and children, including the New York Women's
Foundation, which supports initiatives for low-income women and girls. Her
cause
Shakira, Recording artist, children's advocate and humanitarian
Shakira is a Grammy-winning recording artist and founder of the Barefoot
Foundation, which works to increase access to high-quality education, especially
for the world's poorest children. She serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
and honorary chair of the Global Campaign for Education. (Photo: Jaume De La
Iguana) Her causes: 1
| 2
Tavis Smiley, Media personality, author and advocate
Considered an influential voice on leadership, accountability and the black
experience, Smiley hosts a late-night PBS talk show and a national radio show.
He is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of leaders and is the founder
of the Tavis Smiley Foundation, which provides leadership training and development
for youth. His
cause
Ted Turner, Entrepreneur, environmentalist, philanthropist
and author
Turner is the founder of Turner Broadcasting and CNN and chairman of Turner
Enterprises Inc. Considered one of the most influential philanthropists in the
United States, his foundations support projects that will help to guarantee
a stronger and safer planet for future generations.
