Kwame Brathwaite, photographer of 'Black is Beautiful' movement, dies at 85

The legacy of a pioneering photographer and activist has been left behind, as Kwame Brathwaite, the mastermind behind the "Black is Beautiful" movement, passed away at the age of 85. Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in New York, Brathwaite's journey was marked by his relentless pursuit of capturing the essence of Black culture through his lens.

The seeds of his artistic vision were sown in 1955, when he stumbled upon a haunting photograph of Emmett Till's open casket. This encounter would shape his approach to photography, as he sought to amplify the stories and experiences of Black Americans. Alongside his brother Elombe, Brathwaite co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS), which became a hub for artistic expression and activism.

Through his work, Brathwaite championed the beauty and diversity of Black culture, challenging traditional Eurocentric beauty standards. His photographs of young women, known as Grandassa Models, celebrated their natural features and helped redefine the notion of beauty in the 1960s. The concept of "Black is Beautiful" became a rallying cry for Brathwaite's work, as he sought to empower Black people through art.

Brathwaite's photography career spanned multiple decades, with notable commissions including documenting the Jackson Five's tour and photographing music legends like Nina Simone and Stevie Wonder. His lens captured not only iconic moments but also intimate portraits of individuals who were pushing boundaries in their respective fields.

Despite his passing, Brathwaite's legacy continues to resonate through various exhibitions and retrospectives. The Art Institute of Chicago is currently hosting a solo exhibition of his work, "Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For," which will run until July 24. This body of work serves as a testament to the enduring impact of Brathwaite's vision and artistry.

As news of Brathwaite's passing spread, his son announced the news in an Instagram post, expressing deep sadness at losing his father, who was "our rock and my hero." The outpouring of tributes and accolades highlights the significant influence Brathwaite had on the world of photography and beyond.

In a 2017 interview with Aperture Magazine, Brathwaite distilled his artistic philosophy to a single phrase: "You want to get the feeling, the mood that you're experiencing when they're playing." This commitment to capturing the essence of Black culture has left an indelible mark on the world, and it is clear that Kwame Brathwaite's legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

Kwame Brathwaite's life and work is like a canvas with layers upon layers - his passion for photography was just one thread in a tapestry of artistic expression, activism, and the pursuit of beauty. He reminded us that our experiences, stories, and emotions are what make us human, and by sharing them through art, he gave voice to the voiceless. It's crazy how one photograph of Emmett Till could spark such change and create a movement - it just goes to show how one image can be both haunting and beautiful at the same time

man this kwame brathwaite dude was a total pioneer in photography like he knew how to tell real stories through his pics he was all about celebrating black culture and challenging those traditional beauty standards that have been holding us back for too long anyway i'm sad to hear he's gone but i know his legacy is gonna keep living on in the art world it's amazing to see how his work has inspired so many people and i love how he talked about capturing the mood of a moment in an interview

just heard about kwame brathwaite passing away at 85 he was a total pioneer in capturing black culture through his lens & i'm obsessed with the idea of "black is beautiful" it's crazy how his photography career spanned decades from documenting famous artists to showing grandassa models rocking their natural features his artistry is still giving me chills and it's amazing that exhibitions like "things well worth waiting for" are being held to celebrate his life & work the outpouring of tributes is a testament to how much he impacted people's lives

man i cant believe he's gone 85 yrs young and still makin' waves with his camera that dude was a true pioneer, knew exactly how to capture the essence of black culture and make it beautiful like, remember those grandassa models pics from back in the day? wow what a legacy he's left behind

Kwame Brathwaite was like the OG beauty standard setter... instead of making everyone conform to a certain look he just let Black people be themselves his "Black is Beautiful" movement still holds water today and I'm so glad I got to grow up seeing him spread love and acceptance through art

aww mann 85 yrs old is still super young! i cant even imagine losing my own family at such a young age Kwame Brathwaite was definitely a trailblazer and his work is still giving me LIFE celebrating black culture and beauty is so important and it's crazy how far back the roots go to 1955 that haunting photo of Emmett Till's open casket must've been a real wake-up call for him i love that he had an entire community behind him like the African Jazz Arts Society it's so cool that his son is still sharing his dad's story and legacy

omg i'm literally shook kwame brathwaite was more than just a photographer he was a movement his work is still giving me chills especially those grandassa models pics they're so iconic and powerful, like, we need more of this in the world right now anyway, his legacy will definitely live on through all the exhibitions and retrospectives coming up can't wait to see more of his work at the art institute of chicago

I'm totally feeling like we're losing a crucial chapter in American history here... think about it, Kwame Brathwaite was more than just a photographer, he was a movement maker! He used his lens to challenge the status quo and amplify Black voices, which is exactly what our society needs more of. The fact that he's leaving behind an incredible legacy of artwork that celebrates Black beauty and diversity is a testament to the power of art in shaping our cultural conversation . We should be talking about how we can continue this important work and make sure his vision doesn't get lost in the noise .

I don’t usually comment but I just wanted to say that Kwame Brathwaite’s photography career is a total inspiration . I mean, the way he used his lens to celebrate Black culture and challenge traditional beauty standards was so ahead of its time. His work on the "Black is Beautiful" movement is still relevant today and it's amazing to see how his legacy continues to inspire new artists and activists.

I love how his photography didn’t just focus on iconic moments but also intimate portraits of individuals who were pushing boundaries in their respective fields . And can we talk about the Grandassa Models? Those women are total heroes for redefining beauty standards back in the 60s. It’s crazy to think that Kwame Brathwaite was only 85 when he passed away, leaving behind a body of work that will continue to be celebrated for generations to come .

I don’t know about you guys but I feel like we need more people like Kwame Brathwaite in the world today. His commitment to capturing the essence of Black culture and empowering Black people through art is something that we really need right now . Let’s keep his legacy alive and support artists who are carrying on his work .

OMG, just heard about Kwame Brathwaite passing away at 85! So sad! He was a true pioneer and his work still inspires me today His "Black is Beautiful" movement was so ahead of its time and I love how he celebrated Black culture in all its forms . Grandassa Models were everything before it was cool ! Can't believe the impact he had on photography and beyond His legacy lives on through his amazing work and I'm so grateful to have grown up knowing about him Rest in peace, Kwame

Wow Interesting how his work impacted beauty standards back then, now it seems like a normal thing his photography career was so extensive, I wonder if he got to see the full circle of how "Black is Beautiful" became a part of mainstream culture

man this guy kwame brathwaite was a total pioneer his photography was all about celebrating black culture and challenging those ugly beauty standards of yesteryear ‍ i mean can you imagine having to look at yourself in the mirror and see someone who doesn't even remotely resemble you being considered beautiful? no thanks. anyway, it's crazy that he's still inspiring people today and his legacy will live on through all the exhibitions and retrospectives they're doing for him. did you know about this guy before?

just heard about kwame brathwaite what a legend! his work is still giving me life i mean, who else could make black culture feel like beauty? he was more than just a photographer, he was a movement and now his legacy lives on through the grandassa models, ajass, and all the iconic photos of nina simone and stevie wonder i'm so glad the art institute of chicago is showcasing his work right now, it's like time stood still for us to appreciate his genius again rest in peace, kwame

Man, this guy was a total icon ! His pics were more than just snapshots - they told stories and gave voice to people who needed it most . The way he captured Black culture and beauty was so powerful, it's crazy to think about how much of an impact his work had on the world . I'm glad the Art Institute is showcasing his work right now - it's a must-see for anyone interested in photography or just learning more about Black history . Kwame Brathwaite may be gone, but his legacy lives on and will continue to inspire future generations to keep pushing boundaries .

@photoguy22: I completely agree! His use of color and composition was so innovative - it's amazing to see how he was able to tell stories through his pics . And can we talk about the Grandassa Models? Those ladies were total icons in their own right !

@historybuff99: Yeah, it's crazy to think about how much Brathwaite contributed to changing our cultural narrative around beauty and identity . His work was more than just photography - it was a movement .

@artlover33: The fact that he was able to capture the essence of Black culture and music is just incredible . His pics of Nina Simone and Stevie Wonder are must-see for any music lover or art enthusiast .

... what a loss this is! Kwame Brathwaite's contribution to photography and social justice can't be overstated. He was more than just an artist, he was a cultural movement in his own right. His work still holds up today - those Grandassa Models pics are iconic for a reason . It's amazing how one person can leave such a lasting impact on the way we see beauty and identity.

I think what I love most about Brathwaite's story is that it wasn't just about him, but about all the people he photographed and documented over the years - those Jackson Five guys, Stevie Wonder... they're all part of this larger narrative now . And his legacy isn't limited to the art world either; it's a reminder of the power of photography as a tool for social change.

The fact that the Art Institute is showing some of his work right now feels like a fitting tribute . It's a chance for us to celebrate Brathwaite's life and artistry, and to think about all the ways he influenced us.

I know it's easy to get caught up in feeling sad about someone passing on, but I'd argue that Kwame Brathwaite's legacy is actually pretty inspiring . He showed us that one person can make a real difference, and that art has the power to bring people together and challenge our assumptions... those are things we should be celebrating!

RIP Kwame Brathwaite , he was a true legend in his own right. His contributions to photography and Black culture can't be overstated. The fact that the Art Institute of Chicago is hosting a solo exhibition of his work is a testament to his enduring legacy . I'm so grateful for people like him who helped shape our understanding of beauty, identity, and what it means to be Black. His son's Instagram post was really beautiful, too - it's clear he had a deep love for his dad . It's going to be hard to see anyone else fill the void left by Kwame Brathwaite, but I'm excited to see how his legacy will continue to inspire new generations of artists and activists .

just heard about kwame brathwaite ... can you imagine not seeing his powerful work anymore? he was a true pioneer in capturing the beauty of black culture his photography wasn't just about taking pictures, it was about telling stories and amplifying voices that needed to be heard . i'm so grateful for the impact he had on the world and the generations that will follow in his footsteps

omg i just found out about kwame brathwaite and he sounds like such an amazing person i'm only 27 and i don't know much about photography or art history, but his story is so inspiring i mean, someone who was just trying to capture the beauty of black culture through photos is like, total hero in my eyes i wonder if he had any favorite models or photographers that inspired him what's your take on this guy? did you know about him before?

[Image of a picture with a sad face, crying tears, but with a beautiful background]

When he takes your picture u better be ready

[Image of a "Grandassa Model" smiling and posing]

Black is Beautiful and his legacy lives on

[Image of Emmett Till's open casket, with a red X marked through it]

Till death do us part... but Brathwaite's work will never die

[Image of Kwame Brathwaite taking a photo, with a big smile and a funky background]

He captured our stories, now we capture his legacy