The new Gerber baby was selected for 2024 and couldn’t be cuter! Moreover, he comes from a loving family built on a foundation of giving back. Although he’s seemingly a special little guy, he’s not the only element of this year’s decision that stands out.
The Gerber Baby of 2024
Akil “Sonny” McLeod will carry the Gerber baby title for 2024. As a result of his cheerful disposition and wonderful background, he captivated the hearts of the decision panel. Sonny, who recently celebrated his first birthday, lives in Arizona with his parents Dominique and Akil McLeod Sr., and his big sister, Sage. His favorite activities are playing with his toy cars, reading his squishy ABC book, and joyfully playing Peekaboo.
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Loving Comments
“Every day it’s an honor to watch Sonny conquer so many tiny achievements, from giggles to trying new foods, to standing up and everything in between. He’s a light in our lives and brings joy to everyone around him” Dominque gushed. “We couldn’t have asked for a better way to celebrate his first birthday than to be chosen as the 2024 Gerber Baby. We look forward to all the adventures in the year ahead collaborating with Gerber to share his sweet smile with families across the country.”
A Gerber Baby with Purpose
Although his cheerful disposition played a major role in the decision, naming him Gerber Baby of 2024 is also due to his family’s kind and generous nature. Dominique and Akil Sr. are “passionate about community service.” The family spends much of their free time supporting community-building organizations. As such, the pair hope to instill “kindness, respect for others, and resilience,” in their children.
Behind the Decision
“Sonny immediately captured our hearts with his joyful smile and his family’s inspiring demonstration of what it means to grow with love,” said Chandra Kumar, President of Nestlé Infant Nutrition. “Inspired by the tens of thousands of photos submitted each year, Gerber Photo Search offers us a unique opportunity to connect with the families of today and reinforces the importance of our mission to help babies grow up healthy and happy.”
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What the Title Means
Sonny’s Gerber baby obligations will include “supporting the mission” of helping infants “grow with love.” He will be featured on the company’s social media pages and has been awarded numerous gifts, including a year of unlimited Gerber products, a $25,000 cash prize, and a new wardrobe. Additionally, Gerber is matching Sonny’s award money with a donation to March of Dimes.
Notable Firsts
Sonny is a special little guy from a wonderful family, but that’s not the only thing notable about the decision for 2024. For the first time in Gerber baby history, the panel was joined by parents of former Gerber babies to make this year’s selection. However, this year is also different because it’s the first year that ten other babies will be recognized as winners of “Inch stone moments.”
The Original Gerber Baby
The photo search launched over ten years ago, but that wasn’t the first Gerber baby in history. The company was founded in 1927 in Fremont, Michigan. A year later, it held a contest to find the first ever Gerber Baby in history. Dorothy Hope Smith won with her charcoal sketch. It was so well-loved that the sketch became the company’s official trademark in 1931. The company was incorporated into Nestlé in 2007 but has continued to strive for number 1 in “childhood nutrition.”
Another Interesting First
Another exciting first for a Gerber Baby happened in 2020. Baby Magnolia was the first adopted baby to be chosen for the position. On May 9, 2019, Courtney and Russell Earl adopted Magnolia. “Magnolia has brought so much joy to everyone she meets. Her personality is beyond happy and joyful,” Courtney shared. “Adoption is incredibly special to our family’s story. Winning Photo Search is an opportunity to tell Magnolia’s story and shed light on all the beautiful and different ways families are made.”
Magnolia has two older sisters, Whitney and Charlotte. “We believe every baby is a Gerber baby and standing behind our babies has never mattered more than it does now,” Bill Partyka, President and CEO of Gerber, wrote regarding the panel’s 2020 Gerber baby selection. “At a time when we are yearning for connection and unity, Magnolia and her family remind us of the many things that bring us together: our desire to love and be loved, our need to find belonging, and our recognition that family goes way beyond biology.”
For decades, the Gerber Baby was the same curly-haired cutie. However, companies are becoming more inclusive and Gerber is allowing numerous babies and their families to shine.
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Sources
- Gerber Announces Baby Akil “Sonny” of Arizona as 2024 Photo Search Winner. Gerber News June 25, 2024.
- Meet Magnolia, the 2020 Gerber baby and 1st adopted baby in company’s history. GMA Haley Yamada May 08, 2020.
