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“Hamilton” Creator & Co-Star Lin-Manuel Miranda

Surprised Jackson With Foundation’s Biggest Award During

Annual Garden Of Dreams Talent Show At Radio City Music Hall

NEW YORK (April 8, 2025) – The Garden of Dreams Foundation announced tonight that Grammy and Emmy Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated songwriter, composer and actor Christopher Jackson is the 2025 recipient of the Garden of Dreams Hero Award. Established in 2009, the annual Hero Award honors organizations or individuals that embody the spirit of the Garden of Dreams Foundation through an active and ongoing dedication to positively impacting the lives of children facing obstacles, while serving as a driving force and inspiration for others. “Hamilton” creator and co-star Lin-Manuel Miranda surprised Jackson with the award onstage at the 2025 Garden of Dreams Talent Show, which took place tonight in front of a packed audience at Radio City Music Hall.

Jackson has been a passionate supporter of the Garden of Dreams Foundation since 2019. He has served as an ambassador for the Foundation at fundraising and youth-facing community events, including the refurbishment of Make-A-Wish New Jersey’s theater and performance space; as a celebrity presenter of Garden of Dreams Inspire Scholarships; endowed the Chris & Veronica Jackson Sensory Room at Radio City Music Hall; and more.

The renovation of the theater at Make-A-Wish New Jersey, made possible by the Garden of Dreams Foundation’s Community Projects program, ensures aspiring young performers have a place to explore the arts – and served as a rehearsal space for the Make-A-Wish New Jersey performers in this year’s Talent Show. In December 2024, Jackson and his wife Veronica endowed the Chris & Veronica Jackson Sensory Room at Radio City Music Hall in partnership with the Garden of Dreams Foundation and Kulture City, and in honor of their son CJ who was diagnosed with autism in 2007. The Chris & Veronica Jackson Sensory Room now serves as a calm and safe space for guests with sensory processing needs at all public events at Radio City. Additionally, Jackson has presented two Garden of Dreams young people with Inspire Scholarships, $60,000 scholarships that the Foundation awards to 20 high school seniors each year to be used across four years at the college or trade school of their choice. In both 2019 and 2025, Jackson worked with the Foundation to present college scholarships to high school seniors – one of whom battled brain cancer. Additionally, Jackson has mentored and inspired hundreds of young performers ahead of the annual Talent Show, lending his expertise to the performers ahead of their debut on the Great Stage.

“We are pleased to present Christopher Jackson with the 2025 Garden of Dreams Hero Award,” said Rich Constable, Executive Vice President, Global Head of Government Affairs and Social impact, Madison Square Garden Entertainment. “Over the years, Chris has gone above and beyond – from mentoring young performers in the annual Talent Show to surprising deserving students with Inspire Scholarships – and has himself provided life-changing experiences to young people and their families in our community. We are honored to have him as a part of our Garden of Dreams family.”

“I am honored to be recognized,” said Christopher Jackson on stage at Radio City Music Hall. “The inspiration that brought everyone here tonight is the same inspiration we have to wake up with every single day – to face the world, change the world and make the world a better place.” 

“We are so proud of you, Chris, and grateful for all that you have done for the Garden of Dreams Foundation,” said Lin-Manuel Miranda while presenting the award.

The Garden of Dreams Hero Award was established in 2009. Past recipients of the award include tennis legend Andre Agassi; sports radio personalities Mike Francesa and Chris Russo; New York Rangers greats Adam Graves and Henrik Lundqvist; model and actor Damaris Lewis; Emmy Award-winner and Today Show contributor Jill Martin; legendary artist and Talent Show creative director Darryl “DMC” McDaniels; Emmy Award-nominated actor and comedian Tracy Morgan; the band O.A.R. and its frontman Marc Roberge; Michael Roberts, the former director of Garden of Dreams partner organization Children’s Aid Society; Emmy Award-winning producer Rory Rosegarten; actor Steve Schirippa; New York Knicks Legend John Starks; and businessman David Viniar.

The Garden of Dreams Foundation is a non-profit charity dedicated to bringing life-changing opportunities to young people in need. In partnership with MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports and Sphere Entertainment – including the New York Knicks, Rangers, Radio City Rockettes, Westchester Knicks, famed showplaces, and regional sports and entertainment television networks – Garden of Dreams brings young people together to raise their spirits, build resilience, and provide networking, mentoring and educational opportunities through MSG’s power of community building. All of the Foundation’s activities are driven by three guiding principles – Community Projects, Education, and Inspiration & Joy – and target young people facing illness or financial challenges, as well as children of uniformed personnel who have been lost or injured while serving our communities. Since its inception in 2006, the Garden of Dreams Foundation has impacted more than 440,000 young people and their families. 

The Garden of Dreams Talent Show is an annual event that gives young people from the tri-state area the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform onstage at Radio City Music Hall. This year’s event showcased performances from more than 150 young people, all of whom are facing unimaginable obstacles, from 28 of the Foundation’s 30 partner organizations.

For more information on the Garden of Dreams Foundation, the programs it runs and the young people it serves, please visit www.GardenofDreamsFoundation.org

For photos and video from the 2025 Garden of Dreams Talent Show, including the Hero Award presentation, please click here.