25 Photos That Show How Much Obama's Presidency Matters To Young Black Americans

It's deeper than policy.

President Barack Obama made history when he became the first black man to ever be elected as president of the United States in 2008.

Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

It was an emotional victory for those who believed the glass ceiling he broke through had been cemented shut by this country's horrific history of racism; for those who thought they'd never know what it felt like to be represented, and who finally had a first family that looked like them. Policy aside, the significance of that victory was powerful, personal, and enduring for many. Obama's presidency allowed parents of color to believe in themselves, even just a bit more, any time they told their kids, "You can be anything you want in this country." And even though our country still has a lot of work to do when it comes to race, Obama's presidency allowed a new generation of black children to know nothing but a diverse White House — which can make their own dreams seem more possible. Our president is black, and the impact of that fact can been seen on black faces across the world as they beam with pride and wonder every time they see themselves in him. Take a look.

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Stan Honda / AFP / Getty Images

President Obama greets a young girl at a rally during his first presidential campaign on October 2, 2008, at Michigan State University.

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Pete Souza/The White House

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Pete Souza/The White House

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Pool / Getty Images

President Obama welcomes Anthony, a fifth grader from Washington, D.C., in the Oval Office on October 11, 2010.

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Scott Olson / Getty Images

Three-year-old Dusten Washington holds a fan supporting President Obama at a town hall style meeting during his first presidential campaign.

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Saul Loeb / AFP / Getty Images

President Obama gives a young boy a fist bump as he greets guests at Shaker Heights High School in Shaker Heights, Ohio on January 4, 2012.

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Saul Loeb / AFP / Getty Images

President Obama embraces 11-year-old Mikaila Ulmer, social entrepreneur behind "Me & the Bees Lemonade" as he arrives to speak during the United State of Women Summit in Washington, DC, June 14, 2016.

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Mark Makela / Getty Images

President Obama gives a high five to a boy after delivering a speech at the Salvation Army, Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center May 18, 2015 in Camden, New Jersey.

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Saul Loeb / AFP / Getty Images

President Obama greets guests alongside Chinese President Hu Jintao during a State Arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, January 19, 2011.

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Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

A boy holds up a book about President Obama as he listens to Obama address a campaign rally in Cleveland, Ohio.

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Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

President Obama delivers remarks about his 'My Brother's Keeper' initiative with students from the Chicago's Youth Guidance program Becoming a Man (BAM) at the White House on February 27, 2014.

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Tim Sloan / AFP / Getty Images

A young girl cries while listening to a speech by President Obama during a rally to officially kick off his first general election campaign on June 05, 2008 in Bristow, Virginia.

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Chris Schneider / Getty Images

President Obama slaps hands with a boy after speaking at a campaign event September 13, 2012 in Golden, Colorado.

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Jim Watson / AFP / Getty Images

Two-year-old Princess Smith sits with her father Francis Smith as they await President Obama's arrival to International Conference Center in Accra, Ghana, on July 11, 2009.

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Brendan Smialowski / AFP / Getty Images

President Obama looks at a boy with a magnifying glass while visiting children at College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center on February 14, 2012 in Decatur, Georgia.

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David Mcnew / Getty Images

Mable Coleman carries life-size cardboard cut-outs of President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama at the 29th annual Kingdom Day Parade on January 20, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.

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Mandel Ngan / AFP / Getty Images

Well-wishers hold a US flag and message for President Obama in the Highland Park neighborhood on June 19, 2015.

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The White House / Getty Images

President Obama talks to kids during a stop at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland on June 14, 2012 in Cleveland, Ohio.

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Jim Watson / AFP / Getty Images

President Obama poses for a photo with children from the New Beginnings Worship Center summer camp during an unscheduled stop at Lechonera El Barrio quick service cafe in Orlando, Florida on August 2, 2012.

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Mandel Ngan / AFP / Getty Images

President Obama shakes hands with a young girl as he greets supporters at a campaign rally October 4, 2012 at Sloan's Lake Park in Denver, Colorado.

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Juan Barreto / AFP / Getty Images

A girl looks at pictures of President Obama sold on a street stall in Port of Spain on April 16, 2009.

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Mandel Ngan / AFP / Getty Images

President Obama leans over to listen to a student during a visit to the Dr. Martin Luther King Charter School October 15, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

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Saul Loeb / AFP / Getty Images

President Obama greets a young boy after speaking during a campaign event at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida on September 9, 2012.

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Jim Watson / AFP / Getty Images

President Obama wishes school children a happy Thanksgiving during a surprise visit to St. Columbanus Parish and School in Chicago, Illinios on November 26, 2008.

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Pool / Getty Images

President Obama greets a boy at Calvin Coolidge High School where students, military families, and volunteer service groups are working on various projects supporting the troops on January 19, 2009 in Washington, DC.