This year marks the 30th anniversary of The MY HERO Project, an online initiative that has become one of the world’s largest collections of stories, art, and films celebrating positive role models. What began as an experiment in 1995 has since reached more than 125 million participants across 197 countries.
Origins and Early Vision
In the early 1990s, as reality television gained popularity, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Rita Stern Milch, along with Tom Weinberg, Joel Cohen, Skip Blumberg, and Jeanne Meyers created a TV pilot designed to highlight positive role models for children. Though networks praised the project, they declined to pick it up, calling it “not commercially viable.”
The idea was given new life when artist Antonio Mendoza suggested moving it to the internet, a space that was just beginning to take shape. On August 7, 1995, The MY HERO Project launched as a nonprofit, commercial-free website dedicated to celebrating the best of humanity through media, art, and technology.
From the beginning, filmmaker and philanthropist Karen Pritzker joined Milch and co-founder Jeanne Meyers in shaping the project. Together, they built what they called an “oasis of goodness online”—a vision that continues to guide the project today.
The MY HERO Project Co-founders Jeanne Meyers, Rita Stern Milch, Karen Pritzker)Credit: Francis Parker School, Chicago
Building a Global Community
The first iteration of MY HERO included text, images, and a guestbook, later evolving into a platform where teachers and students could contribute stories. A user-friendly publishing template, designed with input from educators, made it possible for anyone to upload essays, images, and links.
From its inception, MY HERO established clear guidelines: the platform would not promote hatred, violence, racism, or sexism. Every submission would be reviewed by educators to ensure age-appropriate, uplifting content. Heroes celebrated on the site include individuals working for human rights, social justice, peace, environmental protection, and innovation in the arts, science, and technology.
The impact has been profound. By offering young people a safe platform to share their voices, MY HERO has helped students build confidence, creativity, and an understanding of their power to create positive change.
Credit: Rita Stern MilchOriginal MY HERO collage
Awards and Recognition
Over the years, MY HERO has been recognized for providing diverse role models for young people. Thanks to support from donors, foundations, and corporations, the project has continued to grow, offering a safe, commercial-free space for students worldwide to discover and share stories of hope, courage, and resilience.
Anthem Awards 2024 – Gold Winner (Education, Art & Culture), 2023 – Bronze Winner (Education, Art & Culture), 2022 – Silver Winner (Education, Art & Culture)
GreatNonprofits.org Top-Rated Nonprofit: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019
Common Sense Education 5-Star Rating, 2020 Best Educational Website
Film & Media Awards International Family Film Festival (2012) – Best Documentary Short (MY HERO Report: Youth Edition), The Telly Awards (2013) – Online Video, Stories Website Award, W3 Awards (2009) – Silver Award Winner, The Webby Awards (2004) – Best Spirituality Finalist (Wheel of Faith), The Webby Awards (2006) – Education Website Honoree
Grants & Honors Scripps Family Impact Fund (2024), Cox Cares Grant Award (2009), Childnet International Award (2001 – Best Educational Website), National Information Infrastructure Finalist (1996)
CableFax Tech Awards 2015 – Tech Innovation Award, Jeanne Meyers, MY HERO Web Content Director – CableFax Tech Awards Winner
The MY HERO International Film Festival
In 2005, with the rise of broadband, MY HERO launched the International Film Festival, inviting both student and professional filmmakers to share short films that honor heroes. Festival director Wendy Milette, a graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts, has overseen the event since its inception.
Distinguished authors, educators, activists, and filmmakers have served as award sponsors, including Esther Wojcicki, Eva Haller, Ron Kovic, Kathy Eldon & Amy Eldon Turteltaub, Judith Anderson, Barbara MacGillivray, and Jeni Stepanek. Their prizes highlight films that address causes such as peace, ocean conservation, and women’s and children’s rights.
Festival screenings have been hosted at prestigious venues including the USC School of Cinematic Arts, The American Film Institute, and the Herb Alpert Educational Village at New Roads School, as well as internationally in schools and media art centers. Winning films are archived in MY HERO’s online library, ensuring continued global access.
Media Arts Education and Literacy
Beyond storytelling, MY HERO has played a vital role in media literacy and education. By providing lesson plans, storytelling tools, workshops, contests, and teacher training, the project empowers youth to use media responsibly and creatively. Its programs are used in classrooms worldwide, helping bridge the digital divide and fostering cross-cultural understanding.
Support from organizations such as The Seedlings Foundation, The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation, and the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, among others, has made this possible.
Credit: Jamie BekertEsther at the 30 Year Celebration
Recently, a generous grant from the Scripps Family Impact Fund and support from Esther Wojcicki enabled the creation of The MY HERO Journalism & Filmmaking Workbook, accompanied by the short documentary Reel Heroes: Student Films and Filmmakers, a 30-minute documentary featuring award-winning student work from the MY HERO International Film Festival The book has been given to schools and educators at conferences and is available to download online or order in print through Amazon.
A Legacy of Collaboration
The success of The MY HERO Project is the result of decades of collaboration. Co-founders Rita Stern Milch and Karen Pritzker who provided leadership and vision, while Jeanne Meyers directed the project with support from teachers, artists, writers, filmmakers, volunteers, and interns who have expanded its reach.
MY HERO’s dedicated board of directors, MY HERO team, and educational partners ensure that visitors worldwide can access and benefit from the project’s wealth of free programs and resources.
Thousands of teachers have become ambassadors, bringing The MY HERO Project’s media library into classrooms around the world. Professional writers, artists, filmmakers, volunteers, and college interns contribute their talents to support events and programs, while generous donors make it all possible.
For 30 years, The MY HERO Project has demonstrated the power of storytelling, art, and media to inspire hope and encourage positive change. As it moves into its next chapter, its mission remains clear: to celebrate the best of humanity and provide a platform where future heroes can find their voice.
MY HERO 30 Year Celebration
Credit: Jamie BeckertRivien Theatre
The MY HERO Project celebrated its 30th Anniversary at the Rivian South Coast Theater on September 20th, 2025. Families, students, and longtime supporters filled the seats to watch films, hear music, and honor three decades of storytelling.
Credit: Jamie BekertMohamed Sidibay
Mohamed Sidibay, Interim Director of The MY HERO Project, opened the evening with a reminder: “For 30 years, MY HERO has shown that stories change lives. When young people see their voices valued and their heroes celebrated, they find the courage to shape a better world.”
The evening included the premiere of Reel Heroes: Student Films and Filmmakers. Audiences also saw short films honoring local heroes and British reggae artists Pato Banton and Antoinette Rootsdawtah closed the evening with a performance of Love is the Greatest Thing.
Credit: Jamie BeckertBritish reggae artists Pato Banton and Antoinette Rootsdawtah perform at the event
MY HERO staff, teachers, and interns joined the duo on stage, lifting a mural of children of all faiths painted by Pakistani artist Fauzia Minellah.
MY HERO invites you to celebrate and help continue MY HERO with their important work. You can do this by:
Page created on 10/1/2025 4:38:32 PM
Last edited 10/2/2025 6:35:40 PM
