Opposite page: A’Kasha Hodges, seven, in Marquette Park

McLean: “I taught A’Kasha in kindergarten. She was one of the most bright and inquisitive students. Over time, though, I saw that she was treated differently because she was darker skinned. I wanted to make space for darker- skinned kids to see themselves as nuanced . . . to show joy but also that struggle in creating relationships, friendships, and loving yourself.”