Select Portraits
Dolly Parton
Derrean Tucker
Under Georgia law, Derrean Tucker will not be able to vote until 2046.
When Tucker was 17, he was arrested for attempted armed robbery. Tucker was sentenced to 30 years, but released on parole in 2022. Not long after he was incarcerated, he was beaten by other men in prison to the point of permanent blindness. Now Tucker works to advocate for the rights of fellow disabled Georgians. Tuckers says he realizes that lack of access to voting is part of his punishment. “I just wish that voting for disabled people would be accessible,” he says. “And I hope that when I come off of parole, I can vote freely and easily without any hindrances.”
Justina
Brendan
Brendan Jordan is an influencer, youtuber, and an LGBTQ+ rights activist. He rose to fame for dancing behind a reporter during a broadcast, garnering the attention of RuPaul, Lady Gaga, and Queen Latifah, among others. He uses his platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and open up discussions about important issues for the community.
Mia in the hot tub
Joan Didion
Brandy and Michelle
Nordic princess at Fantasy Fare
American Ballet Theatre auditions
Nicole looking in the mirror
Nicole in the bathroom
Boy with snake
Nadya Suleman (Octomom)
Kyle Maynard
Kyle Maynard was born with a rare condition called congenital amputation. Early on, he learned to live independently both physically and philosophically- without prosthetics, but also without limitations. He adopted what he calls a ‘no excuses’ mentality, fueling a career of incredible accomplishments. He is an ESPN Espy award winner, the recipient of the 2004 President's Award for the Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame, a regular in the pages of Vanity Fair, and the first quadruple amputee to ascend Mount Kilimanjaro without the aid of prosthetics.
Twins in Brooklyn apartment
New Orleans debutantes in their presentation dresses
Debutantes, often called ‘debs,’ are women of high social standing who are making a formal entrance into society via debutante balls. Typically, dress code includes a white ‘presentation dress’ and matching opera length gloves. While debutantes exist throughout the south, they are a notably complex and current part of social culture in New Orleans.
Blayne Yves LaBorde with her mother, Peggy LaBorde
Debutantes are a quintessential part of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, often serving as key members of the parade and celebration. Blayne Yves LaBorde, a debutante, serves as a Queen as well as a member of several courts (each responsible for a part in the Mardi Gras day parade). To be a queen is to be a local celebrity- Mardi gras ‘royalty’ are featured in local newspapers and other publications. Blayne says of her position as Mardi Gras royalty: it’s “much more fun than I thought it would be. I honestly felt like a queen.”
Wes Autrey, 'The Subway Hero'
Wes Autrey, better known as ‘the subway hero,’ saved a life on January 2nd, 2007- earning him a place in the hearts of New Yorkers, and a spot in TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people of the year. While waiting for the train with his daughters, Wes saw a young man, Cameron Hollopeter, having a seizure and rushed to his aid. Following the seizure, Cameron fell onto the subway tracks- directly in front of an oncoming train. Wes jumped down with hopes of helping him up, but there wasn’t enough time. Instead, Wes held Cameron down over a gap in the tracks, protecting him from the oncoming train as it skidded to a halt. All but two subway cars passed over Wes and Cameron, but they emerged safely. Of his courageous act, Wes says: “I don’t feel like I did something spectacular; I just saw someone who needed help. I did what I felt was right.”
Makeda Davis with her daughter, Merhanda, and grandson, Enzo
Makeda Davis was incarcerated for seven and a half years after an assault charge in 2006. Life afterwards is an uncertain experience. With courage and heart, Makeda forges ahead through the toughest parts of reentry: rekindling and fostering relationships with her family, celebrating holidays and occasions, returning to work, and continuing her education. Makeda looks forward to completing her Bachelor’s degree at Marymount Manhattan College, as well as coding courses at Columbia University. She plans to use what she learns to create resources to make reentry easier for others. In her own words: “not every criminal is innocent … or right, but every criminal is a human being.”