FUTURE AMERICAN PRESIDENT 50 STATES 100 FAMILIES infinite DREAMS Matthew Jordan Smith FUTURE AMERICAN PRESIDENT 50 STATES 100 FAMILIES infinite DREAMS AUTUMN 2014 Matthew Jordan Smith Nozomi Takeyabu Smith Executive Producer UTAH Julian; 6 ARIZONA Desiree; 5 FUTURE AMERICAN PRESIDENT is a visual story of the American Dream seen through the eyes of our least cynical and most hopeful citizens—our children. Conceived and brought to life by renowned photographer Matthew Jordan Smith, it is a reminder that every child has the right to aspire to greatness and ultimately achieve it. 50 States, 100 Families, and Countless Dreams: Matthew’s pictures celebrate the best of the American spirit while inspiring countless children to dream big and never give up on those dreams. With some incredible help from Boys & Girls Clubs of America, families in every State were beautifully photographed by Matthew Jordan Smith and asked what they would do if they were President. Sometimes funny, always thought provoking, their answers point to a future national attitude of hope, compassion, and understanding in an otherwise jaded world. With a foreword from Disney star Zendaya Coleman and a personal note from President Jimmy Carter, Future American President features children from all 50 of the United States, from all ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, and from all walks of life.This project 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. WYOMING Alex; 5 Best known for his intimate celebrity por- Born in Brooklyn and now in Los Angeles, Mat- traiture of superstars such as Halle Berry, thew dreamed up the full scope of this book Jennifer Connelly, Oprah Winfrey, Michael project while shooting a series of images from Jordan, and Vanessa Williams, Matthew rural America during election year. Several Jordan Smith is a veteran photographer years of preparation and more than one epic whose work appears regularly on na- road trip later, Future American President is now tional television and print campaigns. ready to be published. It is Matthew’s vision to see this book and its message in the hands Since the successful publication in 2001 of Se- of children across the United States, knowing pia Dreams: A Celebration of Black Achieve- he has a responsibility as a photographer to ment Through Words and Images, Matthew help children see uplifting and empowering re-focused his camera on some of the social reflections of themselves in print and media. issues for which he has long been an advocate. Published in 2006, Lost and Found was A larger-than-life personality, Matthew remains made possible with help from Microsoft and in regular touch with the families he met along was created in collaboration with the Nation- the road and looks forward to meeting more al Center of Missing and Exploited Children. Featuring portraits from around the country of families Future Presidents. He plans to reconnect with the children who were a part of the initial shoots, giving whose lives have been affected by a missing child, Lost and Found stands today as one of the critical them an opportunity to participate in each book signing, and more importantly, to guide this project projects that helped push our government passing the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act. and its message into the larger national discussion about the future of our country and its people. foreword by Zendaya Coleman Born in 1996, Zendaya Coleman became a Disney star at the ripe old age of 14. Since then she has gone on to release both a best selling book called Between U and Me: How to Rock Your Tween Years with Style and Confidence and a best-selling self-titled album. Involved in philanthropy at an age when most of her peers are fussing over what to wear, Zendaya has publicly committed to being a positive and empowering role model for young women around the world. Tell the truth. Keep the peace. Accommodate changing times but cling to unchanging principles. –president Jimmy Carter From president jimmy carter A chance meeting on a long and late flight steered a copy of Future American President toward the desk of President James Carter, who graciously contributed his thoughts on the project. Better known as Jimmy, President Carter served as the 39th President of the United States of America. A key figure in the international humanitarian and diplomacy scene, Carter also established the Federal Department of Education and continues to serve in an advisory capacity for Habitat for Humanity. Winner of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for his work to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development through The Carter Center, President Carter is the second native Georgian, after Dr. Martin Luther King, to receive this award. 10 Throughout the course of shooting, Matthew leaned heavily on Boys & Girls Clubs of America to help him find the right locations, the right families, and the right communities in which to capture these future presidents. Impacting the lives of more than 4 million children annually, Boys & Girls Clubs of America operates more than 4,000 unique locations throughout the country. Established in 1860, it is the mission of BGCA to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. An established partnership of Matthew’s in the stages of further development, BGCA has committed to help spread the message of Future American President during the lead up to publication during Autumn 2014. Whether participating in regional and national media efforts, organizing book launch events at local Clubs, and helping put copies of Future American President into the hands and homes of children across the country, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has been a critical part of seeing this project come to life in book form. Goff Books, an imprint of ORO Editions (est. 1987), aims to inspire, challenge, and entertain the heart, soul, mind, and senses with books that celebrate creativity and provoke the human spirit. We are pleased to partner with Matthew, knowing the biggest changes often come from the smallest places and that nothing gets done without the right team working together. The Future American President project provides several ways for media partners and established brands to participate in the larger discussion of our national health, the future of our children, and what our future Presidents will have to work with as we grow as a nation. To help with final production, international distribution, and delivery to the children who were involved in the project, the Future American President Team seeks a positive corporate partner committed to bestowing a gift of books to Boys & Girls Clubs of America during the 2014 Holiday Season. For Media and Partnership Opportunities: Matthew Ricke Director of Business and Creative Development, Oro Editions. Mail to: [email protected] VERMONT From left to right: Owen; 8, Dana; 12, Tamara; 13,Lilli; 12, Calli; 14, Patty; 6, Dan’ell; 8, #FuturePresident CONNECTICUT Natalie; 5, Sofie; 1 15 CALIFORNIA Esmerelda; 10 157 ALASKA Maya; 10, Lea; 7 NEW YORK Hunter; 4 months TEXAS Blake; 9 MAINE Bonge; 13 PENNSYLVANIA Kacie; 5, McKenzie 6