Celebrity photographer Matthew Jordan Smith recently launched a new campaign around his book Future American President, a visual journey of the American dream seen through the eyes of our nation’s children. The original book released earlier this year features photos taken by Jordan Smith of children from every state. Jordan Smith is set to publish another run of the book, this time giving families the opportunity to order a special version of the book with their own child on the cover.
This revised edition is a part of Jordan Smith’s vision to educate, empower and inspire kids across America to dream bigger and to know that they, too, can reach high and become anything they want – even President of the United States. “It’s my life’s goal to let every child know there are no limits to what they can achieve,” says Jordan Smith. “And what better way to prove it than by showing them? There’s such a huge impact when a child sees his or her face and the word ‘President’ above it. Just that image alone can light a fire in them that can last a lifetime, which is exactly what I aim to do.”
Inside the pages, Jordan Smith also featured the children of his friends, actresses Angela Bassett and Nicole Ari Parker. “It’s obvious that Matthew is gifted behind the camera,” said Bassett. “The only thing more special is the kindness of his heart. To take on a project like this is not only noble, but crucial to the self-confidence and ambition in our youth.”
“I was thrilled to be a part of Matthew’s first project,” added Ari Parker. “And I’m even more excited about this second phase that will allow more of these important books to be printed. Every parent should take the opportunity to give their child the encouragement he or she needs to be all they could possibly be.”
Matthew’s friend, writer/producer/director Felicia D. Henderson added, “The Kickstarter campaign launched at a cocktail party hosted by Angela, Nicole, leading dermatologist Dr. Pearl Grimes and myself. Hostesses walked around with computer tablets so that anyone could donate on the spot. I’ve bought 25 special edition books for the teen girls I work with from Dr. Grimes’ CARRY Foundation. These girls are ‘at-risk.’ They need to see their faces on the cover of a book that normalizes dreaming big.”
With a foreword from Disney star Zendaya Coleman and a personal note from President Jimmy Carter, Future American President encourages and inspires today’s youth to always live their lives knowing that their highest aspirations are possible and that every great American leader and innovator was once also a “future” president.
For images from Jordan Smith’s recent campaign event, including snaps of Parker, Bassett and Henderson, check out the gallery below.
