Renowned photographer and activist Kwame Brathwaite has passed away at the age of 85. Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in what is now Brooklyn, New York, Brathwaite's life work was deeply intertwined with his commitment to celebrating Black identity.
Brathwaite began his career as a photographer at the tender age of 17, after being inspired by a haunting image of Emmett Till in an open casket. He then went on to study photography and founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) alongside his brother Elombe in 1956. This was the moment when Brathwaite's mind became filled with the endless possibilities that photography could offer.
Throughout the 1960s, Brathwaite used his camera to challenge Eurocentric beauty standards. He photographed the Grandassa Models – young Black women who were celebrated for their natural features – and organized a fashion show called "Naturally '62" in 1962. This event was a defining moment of the "Black is Beautiful" movement that Brathwaite played such a significant role in shaping.
Brathwaite's work also extended beyond photography, as he co-founded AJASS, an organization dedicated to promoting Black culture and artistry. He photographed numerous jazz legends of the 1950s and '60s, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and Nina Simone.
One of Brathwaite's most significant projects was his collaboration with the Jackson Five in 1974, during which he documented their tour and captured iconic images of Muhammad Ali and George Foreman's historic "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match. Commissions for Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, Bob Marley, and other music legends also came under Brathwaite's lens.
Over several decades, Brathwaite continued to evolve as a photographer, exploring different forms of popular Black music and collaborating with prominent artists. In 2016, he joined Philip Martin Gallery in Los Angeles and was still actively photographing commissions up until 2018.
Despite struggling with failing health, Brathwaite's legacy continues to inspire, with exhibitions such as the Blanton Museum of Art's recent retrospective traveling to the Art Institute of Chicago.
Brathwaite began his career as a photographer at the tender age of 17, after being inspired by a haunting image of Emmett Till in an open casket. He then went on to study photography and founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) alongside his brother Elombe in 1956. This was the moment when Brathwaite's mind became filled with the endless possibilities that photography could offer.
Throughout the 1960s, Brathwaite used his camera to challenge Eurocentric beauty standards. He photographed the Grandassa Models – young Black women who were celebrated for their natural features – and organized a fashion show called "Naturally '62" in 1962. This event was a defining moment of the "Black is Beautiful" movement that Brathwaite played such a significant role in shaping.
Brathwaite's work also extended beyond photography, as he co-founded AJASS, an organization dedicated to promoting Black culture and artistry. He photographed numerous jazz legends of the 1950s and '60s, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and Nina Simone.
One of Brathwaite's most significant projects was his collaboration with the Jackson Five in 1974, during which he documented their tour and captured iconic images of Muhammad Ali and George Foreman's historic "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match. Commissions for Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, Bob Marley, and other music legends also came under Brathwaite's lens.
Over several decades, Brathwaite continued to evolve as a photographer, exploring different forms of popular Black music and collaborating with prominent artists. In 2016, he joined Philip Martin Gallery in Los Angeles and was still actively photographing commissions up until 2018.
Despite struggling with failing health, Brathwaite's legacy continues to inspire, with exhibitions such as the Blanton Museum of Art's recent retrospective traveling to the Art Institute of Chicago.
his photography wasnt just about capturing black folks, it was about challenging the status quo and celebrating blackness in all its forms 
a 17-yr-old kid from brooklyn took on the fashion industry and came out on top with "naturally '62" 
he also captured some incredible jazz legends, including miles davis & john coltrane 
brathwaite's work is more than just photos, its a reminder of the power of art to bring people together and challenge our assumptions 
. As a parent, I remember my kids learning about this incredible man and his work in school, and it really resonated with them. He was more than just a photographer - he was a champion of Black identity and self-love. His "Naturally '62" fashion show was so ahead of its time, promoting the beauty of darker skin tones 
. It's amazing to think about how his work can still inspire us today. My kids are growing up in a world where diversity and inclusivity are valued, but it's nice to know that someone like Kwame Brathwaite paved the way for them 
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Kwame Brathwaite's passing is like a reminder that our time on this earth is short, and we gotta make the most of it while we're here 
He lived an incredible life, not just as a photographer but also as an activist, celebrating Black identity and challenging Eurocentric norms. It's crazy to think about how his work paved the way for future generations to express themselves authentically 
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. And what about his archive? I guess it's just gonna get lost in the shuffle now 
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. And can you imagine seeing some of those old pics of Miles Davis and Nina Simone? That's just cool 
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. I love how he used his camera to celebrate Black culture and artistry, especially through his work with the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS). It's crazy that he started taking photos at just 17 years old and went on to do so much more 
. He will definitely be missed by many! 
he was way ahead of his time, i mean 1962 fashion show "naturally" 
and promoting black beauty standards? that's like, so 2025 but he did it back then. and can you believe he photographed muhammad ali and george foreman for the rumble in the jungle? 
. And thinkin' about all the legends he photographed - Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Nina Simone... what an incredible portfolio he had 
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. what a legend 
. His legacy lives on though, and it's awesome that exhibitions are still happening today 
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he was like the OG Black identity activist photographer... I mean, who else but him could make Eurocentric beauty standards look so dated? 
and can you believe he was just 85? 
felt like he was just getting started with all that LA collab stuff in 2016 
. He was the OG black beauty standard-setter, capturing those gorgeous grandassa models in 1962 and giving everyone permission to love themselves as they are 
. Anyway, his legacy lives on through the art and music he loved so much, so let's keep celebrating black identity and beauty in all its forms 
can't believe he passed away at 85 though, feels like he was just getting started 
I mean, who else could make "Black is Beautiful" a movement? 
his photography is still giving us life to this day, especially those images of Nina Simone, John Coltrane & Muhammad Ali 
kwame brathwaite was like a legend in photography 
. it's crazy to think that he passed away at 85 tho... what an impact one life can have