Barack Obama is a Renaissance man. He served as the first black president of the Harvard Law Review and won two Grammys for the audio versions of his memoirs. He’s a former civil rights attorney and a skillful left-handed basketball player who references Jay-Z and Lil Wayne.

This is the man who Hollywood resoundingly supports and to whom Oprah Winfrey gives her blessing. Ads for his Republican opponent, Arizona Senator John McCain, even referred to him as “The Biggest Celebrity in the World.”

As the first African-American president in US history, this biracial scholar, family man and community organizer is revolutionizing politics. Armed with and unafraid to use social-networking tools such as Facebook and Black Planet, Obama boldly marketed his “Change” campaign through e-mail blasts and text messages. Obama gives weight to all things pop: music, art, fashion, film, the Internet and fame.

We celebrate the power and profound influence of a leader. When Obama accepted the nomination at the Democratic National Convention, on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s legendary “March on Washington” speech, CNN political analyst Donna Brazile said, “Tonight is a giant night for this country.” No truer words have been spoken. President-elect Obama has made politics and government sexy and compelling again and motivated the youth vote along the way. Obama is the man standing up for change, and for that, GIANT salutes him. – EMIL WILBEKIN

Click here to see GIANT’s entire Barack Obama Special Report: “Leader Of The New School”!

I cried when Barack Obama became our 44th Presidential Elect. All his calls for hope and change made me emotional, as did his personal thanks to the youth who participated in getting him this far (that’s me). However, and I hate to admit this, despite all the history-making, I was so distracted by the mess that was Michelle’s dress. I credit her to bringing back a woman’s love for a sheath, but that Narciso Rodriguez get-up (Spring 2009) was not a favorite of mine, nor many the fashion critic.

I won’t dwell though—I like to see the good in people—so I will dismiss this incident as a single lapse of judgment (though it was one momentous-ass occasion!) and give props to Michelle for recognizing the talent of Thakoon Panichgul. Much like the attention that was caused by her Election Night dress (though that was more fashion “don’t” than “do”), was the frenzy made over her floral frock just a couple of months ago at the Democratic National Convention.

Michelle understands the less-is-more mantra – unlike Cindy Mac who prefers the blinding colors of $3000 suits by renown Oscar De La Renta, and the not-so-subtle adornment of diamonds and pearls – and so, Mrs. President chose a red/purple, scoop neck printed piece (Radzimir Kimono, Pre-Spring 2009) by the lesser known Manhattan-based designer.

To more applause, she rocked Thakoon again in September at the University of Mississippi Presidential Debate in Oxford, wearing a floral, ballet-neck dress made of silk and inside-out insets from the Fall 2008 line.

Who wouldn’t want to be the First Lady? Or at least look like one?

Target has appointed Thakoon as its latest designer (this is the 14th, if you’re counting) to contribute to its GO! International series. The pieces of his capsule collection manage to stay true to the bargain boutique’s price range ($20 – $70) without compromising the designers signature use of prints and posies. However, don’t expect to wear any of these pieces during the winter months, unless you’re going away for vacation, because not only has he created string bikini’s and short-shorts, but tunics, tees, sun dresses, and cover-ups made for layering. The coastline-and-sunshine collection is full of bold color and textiles, and is just the thing you’ll need to bring you out of the rut that tends to be caused by the holiday seasons cold weather, cloudy skies, and—who are we kidding?—inescapable financial woes.

To drop Christmas Day, December 25.

-Danielle Cheesman

Barack Hussein Obama was elected the 44th president of the United States on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. Obama’s historic win signifies the removal of the racial barrier in US politics as the Junior Senator from Illinois took the election by winning both the popular and electoral vote, making him the first black president to hold office in the history of the country.

Obama, 47, a first-term senator from Illinois, defeated Senator John McCain of Arizona, 72, who was making his second bid for the presidency.

“If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer,” said Obama, as he gave his acceptance speech in Chicago’s Grant Park.

Obama will be sworn in as the President of the United States of America on January 20, 2009.

I hope you rocked the vote today! If you didn’t, you may see Kevin Garnett and Tracy McGrady looking for you. The two Adidas-signed athletes will wear their election-inspired kicks in the Boston versus Houston game tonight. Check them out below!

Please remember to exercise your right to vote today. It counts and you can make a difference!!!

- The GIANT Staff

Graffiti artists are taking this year’s election into their own “cans”—get it, cans. Anyway, the idea of change is popping up in street art all over the country: from Obama as Superman on a New York City street, to the man himself shaking hands with America in Chicago; graffiti has taken to Obama like 50 Cent to the dollar bill.

Graffiti provides a voice for the voiceless, those whose opinions are not often covered by the standard media. It has been used as a means for political subcultures to get their word on the street and into the minds of the everyday folk.

For decades, graff artists used the peace sign as a symbol for positive change. Today, Barack Obama is that symbol. With the election just five days away, maybe McCain should get his graffiti grind on and start tagging “Maverick”—or maybe “MavOne”—on city blocks.

-Bilal Morris

Usher debuts a new song that serves as a call-to-service for the young and old to come together and make a genuine change in the state of affairs in America.

This marks the first time that Usher will communicate his passion for action and service through the art of song. Arguably one of the most active celebrities in pushing awareness for the 2008 Presidential elections, Usher has led youth rallies, organized voter registration drives and participated in voter registration PSA’s for Leonardo DiCaprio, DoSomething.org, CNN’s League of First Time Voters, The Barack Obama Campaign and his own New Look Foundation.

Check out this video below: