eunique jones gibson

Photo: Ashleigh Bing

Little Kids, Big Shoes
For Black History Month in 2013, photographer Eunique Jones Gibson took a series of pictures featuring kids dressed up as inspirational African American figures (Angela Davis, Malcolm X, Spike Lee). She posted one each day on her website, Instagram and Facebook, and in less than two weeks the images went viral. A year and a half later, having amassed tens of thousands of social-media followers, the powerful —and really charming—campaign Because of Them, We Can has become Gibson's main gig.

Photo: Eunique Jones Gibson

Where It Started
"I was in the kitchen watching my son, Chase, who was 4 at the time, run around and air-box, and I was struck by his confidence. He was like a mini Muhammad Ali—the epitome of self-esteem—and the longer I watched, the more I thought, 'Wow, because of Ali, Chase gets to be Chase. Because of him, he can.'"

Posing as Muhammad Ali.
harriet tubman portrayal

Photo: Eunique Jones Gibson

Why It Matters
"I wanted to connect the dots between the past and present. We all know the stories of Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, but do we ever imagine them as little 4-year-olds? They had to learn how to tie their shoes, too. If these figures remain on a pedestal, kids miss an opportunity to relate."

Dressed as Harriet Tubman.
ray charles

Photo: Eunique Jones Gibson

How It Came Together
"Once I decided to extend the campaign for a full year, I started traveling every other weekend, photographing up to 100 kids at a shoot. I posted casting calls online, but I also had in mind children I already knew who were spot-on, like my Frederick Douglass—that hair! For the props and costumes, I lived in thrift stores and antiques shops. People started calling me if they got something they thought we could use. And I raided my grandmother's closet. She was a first lady of her church, so let's just say I didn't need any help with hats."

Dressed as Frederick Douglass.

Photo: Eunique Jones Gibson

"Cause I'm a woman / Phenomenally. / Phenomenal woman, / That's me." — Dr. Maya Angelou
Frederick Douglass

Photo: Eunique Jones Gibson

Dressed as Ray Charles.

Photo: Eunique Jones Gibson

Dressed as Debbie Allen.