We Are the Change

Sixteen Acclaimed and Award-Winning Children's Book Artists Illustrate Quotes from Civil Rights Leaders

“Explore this illustrious book highlighting some of the most influential figures in the historical fight for equality and justice.” –Harry Belafonte, from the introduction

In honor the American Civil Liberties Union’s work to guard the rights of all Americans under the law, sixteen acclaimed and award-winning children’s book artists created illustrations inspired by quotes from civil rights leaders and activists in We Are the Change.

The quotes are from leaders past and present, and represent the fight for the rights of minorities, women, the disabled, farm workers, political dissidents and others throughout the course of history.

Each in addition to stunning and moving illustrations, each artist reflects on the life and work of the leader and the meaning of the quote they chose.

Latinx illustrator John Parra selected the words of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, “If the system is broken, my inclination is to fix it.”

He writes, “Sotomayor’s words remind us that we can accomplish much by reframing our goals of working toward what we believe in, instead of what we are against.”

The stirring introduction by actor and activist Harry Belafonte ties the work of the featured leaders to the ideals of the Constitution, and encourages future leaders to learn from those who have gone before.

Harry Belafonte is a Jamaican-American singer, songwriter, actor, and social activist. He has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 1986 and is now the American Civil Liberties Union celebrity ambassador for juvenile justice issues.

Activists and Illustrators

The words of Maya Angelou illustrated by Selina Alko and Sean Qualls ​ ​

The words Gwendolyn Brooks illustrated by Juana Medina ​

The words Frederick Douglass illustrated by Lisa Congdon ​ ​

The words W. E. B. Du Bois illustrated by Greg Pizzoli ​ ​

The words Khalil Gibran illustrated by Innosanto Nagara ​

The words Dolores Huerta illustrated by Raúl the Third ​

The words Helen Keller illustrated by Alina Chau ​

The words Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. illustrated by Brian Pinkney ​ ​

The words John Lewis illustrated by Dan Santat ​ ​

The words Queen Lili'uokalani illustrated by Emily Hughes ​

The words Barack Obama ​ illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal ​ ​

The words Eleanor Roosevelt illustrated by Molly Idle ​ ​

The words Nina Simone illustrated by Shadra Strickland ​ ​

The words Sonia Sotomayor illustrated by John Parra ​ ​

The words E. B. White illustrated by Melissa Sweet ​