Because of Them We Can

Created by photographer and cultural architect Eunique Jones Gibson, this stunning oversized book features photos of children taking on the roles of 365 African American trailblazers, sharing a rich history and promising future through images that refute stereotypes and build self-esteem. From Muhammad Ali and the Greensboro Four to Katherine Dunham and Gwendolyn Boyd, Gibson draws attention to both well-known and lesser-known figures and includes a quotation and brief bio for each individual or group. While the photographs are full of charm and spirit, the real value of this book is its ability to inspire curiosity in all children and spark discussions about the many contributions of African Americans.

 Inspired by the historic election of Barack Obama and the births of her two sons, Gibson started the "Because of Them We Can" social media campaign to connect young people to African American achievers, past and present, during Black History Month in February 2013. She quickly realized that one month and 28 photographs was not enough to honor the depth of History and potential within the African American community, so she extended the campaign and collected 365 of her photographs into this book.