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”!