Two-hundred pictures, countless cute little girls and a lot more work to do!When I asked for folks to submit their sisters, friends and daughters for my "Little Black Girls Are Everywhere, You Idiots" campaign (hmmm ... should I change that name?), you people didn't dilly-dally. You got the word out and I was inundated with hundreds of pictures!

Currently, I am cataloging the pictures, confirming the identities and getting proper permission from the parent's and guardians involved. I'm then going to:

A) Put together my press packet and artful slideshow (me and Flash animation -- Together again!)

B) Look for a "partner-in-crime" to help me get the word out. I'm presently networking with some industry folks looking for someone with more cache than myself to help make this project work.

What I want to do (as I've said in the past) is accomplish two goals: to promote awareness among both the industry, but among ourselves that our children, especially our daughters, are beautiful as they are, using this tool as something made out of love to show to our daughters and educate them that they don't need to wait for Madison Avenue, Hollywood or glossy magazines for validation. Nor do they have to look up to video dancer #6, rubbing up next to Fiddy Cent as an example of "black beauty."

Our girls are lovely and loveable as the girls that they are, so I'm honored that so many parents trust me and what I'm trying to put complish in the form of a photo book activism.

I don't need any more submissions, but I'm not turning away people who email me either. I know how much this means to people and has long become bigger than just myself.

The publishing of the photo book/black beauty awareness weapon to the offending modeling agencies will cost some money, so I am accepting any donations towards the making and printing of the book. If you'd like to contribute you can donate via the PayPal button on my page or just contact me via email.

Once again, thank you to all the bloggers who helped spread the word. You are awesome! (Jack and Jill Politics, Femisite and Feministing alone sent me thousands of hits.) If you linked the the article, shoot me an email and the link and I'd like to send you a personalized e-card from me. (You know how I love to doodle and get artsy-craftsy. I'll make ya' sumpthin' nice).

PS. I sent out an email this week requesting additional information from those who submitted photos. For those who sent pictures but didn't get the email, send me a note and I'll forward it to you. I don't want anyone to get lost in the shuffle with so many applicants. Also, if you sent me pictures via Facebook, please resend them to The Black Snob email account.

Thanks again!

Update on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 6:14PM by Danielle Belton

Also: Folks are still talking about what the Obama factor will do for black models, especially those allegedly "hard to find" Sasha and Malia look-a-likes.

AOL Black Voices recently tackled the phenomenon in their own story.

Amanda Blaire, vice-president of New York City youth modeling agency Product Model Mangement, told ABC News that requests for young black models surged after Election Day and plans to hold casting calls to keep up with the demand.

"Obviously, there would be an occasional call for models of other ethnicities," she said. "But now the new craze is African-American kids.. There is an abundance of calls coming in for models who look like Sasha and Malia," Blaire said. "African-American girls were always in demand but not nearly as much as they are now because of the new president."

Does the increase in modeling requests for young black girls (aka Sasha and Malia Obama lookalikes) come off as a bit weird or exploitative? It depends on your stance on child modeling. But in a world where black is so rarely seen as the beauty ideal in mainstream media, it's great to have black girls in the spotlight for once.