Civil rights activists fought for equality through the power of the vote.
We all knew that we were a part of history.
That election was all hands on deck, and we made it happen.
Model De’Laney Ortiz (fourth from right, in a Tom Ford suit; tomfordfashion.com), photographed with family at his grandmother’s house in Detroit. From left: CJ Finley, Skylar Destini Love, Derrick Poston (in a Tom Ford suit), Dominique Dickerson (in a Marc Jacobs dress; bergdorfgoodman.com), Blessing Poston, London Knight, Derrick Poston Jr., Rae’Jon Hampton, Dereke Pauling, Raquel Ortiz, and De’Kartier Poston. In foreground: Diez Poston.Hair: Sabrina Szinay. Menswear Editor: Michael Philouze.
I took three planes to get back for the last election.
Ive waited in lines for hours into the night when necessaryand Ill be doing the same on November 5.
Civil rights, womens rights, environmental consciousnessthe list of important issues is long.
Precious Lee and her mother, Anita, photographed at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta. Precious wears an Erdem top and skirt; erdem.com. Anita wears a Dolce & Gabbana dress; dolcegabbana.com. Jimmy Choo shoes on both; jimmychoo.com. Hair, Sabrina Szinay; makeup, Grace Ahn.Fashion Editor: Camilla Nickerson.
We cant afford to ignore whats happeningwe have to show up and vote.
I was born on the Navajo Nation in Arizona, so it feels like my second home.
Some of my favorite childhood memories are riding our familys horses on Black Mesa.
Quannah Chasinghorse (far right, in a Ralph Lauren Collection dress; ralphlauren.com) and members of the Navajo Nation, photographed at the Page Shores Amphitheater in Page, Arizona. From left: Jocelyn Billy-Upshaw, Naomi Upshaw, Mya Upshaw, model Nanabah (wearing a JW Anderson dress; jwanderson.com), Sharon Claw-Watson, and Rose Claw.Hair: Sabrina Szinay.
I feel a close connection to the Dine culture, their beautiful lands and their way of life.
The Native vote is powerful, our vote is important, necessary and can help decide an election.
My great-grandparents were not considered citizens and didnt have the right to vote.
Tess Breeden and her cousin Charlie, photographed at a friend’s farm in Hartland, Wisconsin. Tess wears a Burberry sweater and dress; us.burberry.com. Charlie wears a Zara tank top (zara.com) and Gap shorts (gap.com).Hair: Sabrina Szinay.
I have to use my freedom, voice and vote.
It is more important than ever.
To this day, Indigenous people are still fighting to protect our sacred lands.
Back row: Jamie Knight (in a Dior dress; Dior boutiques), Aubony Poston (in an Emilia Wickstead dress; emiliawickstead.com), London Knight, Raquel Ortiz, Derrick Poston, Blessing Poston, Dominique Dickerson, CJ Finley, and Darius Poston. Front row: Saudia Poston, De’Kartier Poston, Diez Poston, Dereke Pauling, De’Laney Ortiz, Rae’Jon Hampton, Derrick Poston, and Skylar Destini Love.
Many dont even have reliable access to clean water.
For me, another real concern are the threats to our tribal sovereignty.
If we lose our sovereignty, we lose our right to govern ourselves, have jurisdiction over our lands.
Darius Poston wears a Hanes tank top (hanes.com), H&M shorts (hm.com), and Nike shoes (nike.com).
Seeing more women and people of color win seats in Congress is impactful and inspiring.
Our vote matters, our voice is important.
Im staying positive by knowing Im not alone in this battle.
Dereke Pauling wears a Calvin Klein tank top (calvinklein.com). London Knight (second from right) wears an Adidas tracksuit.
Tess wears a Burberry sweater and dress; us.burberry.com.
Charlie wears a Zara tank top (zara.com) and Gap shorts (gap.com).Hair: Sabrina Szinay.
I hold Wisconsin close to my heartthe lakes and forests and the wildflowers alongside the roads.
Jessica Miller wears a Gabriela Hearst dress; gabrielahearst.com.Hair, Jimmy Paul; makeup, Grace Ahn.
My family and I spend our time on the water, skiing, kayaking, and swimming.
There are so many issues that motivate me to vote, but theyre all about being heard.
American women have been losing the right to make choices about our own bodies.
Hunter Pifer wears a Chloé jumpsuit; chloe.com. Her mother, Paula, wears a Prada dress; prada.com. Gentle Monster sunglasses; gentlemonster.com.Hair, Jimmy Paul; makeup, Grace Ahn.
Gun laws are something I feel very strongly about.
Dereke Pauling wears a Calvin Klein tank top (calvinklein.com).
London Knight (second from right) wears an Adidas tracksuit.
Actor Maddie Ziegler wears an MM6 Maison Margiela slip dress; maisonmargiela.com.Hair, Jimmy Paul; makeup, Grace Ahn.
We vote at my old elementary schoolits our tradition.
Ive been a voting cheerleader since I first signed up and registered when I turned 18.
Hunter Pifer, Florida
Hunter Pifer wears a Chloe jumpsuit; chloe.com.
Zahra Traore (at right) and her younger sister Mariam, photographed in their mother’s backyard in Charlotte, North Carolina. Zahra wears a Loewe dress; similar styles at loewe.com.Hair, Sabrina Szinay.
Her mother, Paula, wears a Prada dress; prada.com.
Gentle Monster sunglasses; gentlemonster.com.Hair, Jimmy Paul; makeup, Grace Ahn.
I was born in Michigan and then moved to Florida when I was super young.
Luckily, I had an amazing support system, including my mom and my friends.
The fact that those rights are now being threatened again is terrifying.
Its so cool to be able to weigh in on the conversation now.
Education and civil rights and liberties are really important to me.
I voted for the first time in the last election, when I had just turned 18. stickersit was a very big moment.
This year, I plan to go in person.
Zahra wears a Loewe dress; similar styles at loewe.com.Hair, Sabrina Szinay.
Im young, so gun reform is huge.
Its why Im still registered to vote in North Carolina; it feels like my vote matters more there.
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