Kwame Brathwaite, a pioneering photographer and activist who played a pivotal role in the "Black is Beautiful" movement of the 1960s, has passed away at the age of 85. His work continues to be celebrated for its powerful portrayal of African American culture and identity.
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in Brooklyn, New York, Brathwaite was drawn to photography at a young age. A pivotal moment in his development as a photographer came when he encountered David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till in open casket in 1955. This encounter sparked his interest in capturing the human experience through images.
Brathwaite's work with the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) helped to push back against Eurocentric beauty standards, promoting a more inclusive definition of beauty that celebrated African American features. His most famous photographs, taken of young Black women known as Grandassa Models, showcased their natural beauty and became iconic representations of the "Black is Beautiful" movement.
One of Brathwaite's most notable projects was his collaboration with jazz legends such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and Nina Simone. His photographs not only captured these musicians in performance but also conveyed a deeper understanding of their music and the culture it represented.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite continued to explore new ways to express himself through photography, always staying true to the "Black is Beautiful" ethos that had guided him since the early 1960s. His work has been celebrated by museums, collectors, and scholars alike, solidifying his legacy as a pioneering figure in the history of African American art.
In recent years, Brathwaite's work has gained renewed attention, with exhibitions such as "Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For" currently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago. Despite struggling with declining health, which prevented him from being interviewed for a 2021 profile in T Magazine, his photographs continue to inspire and educate new generations about the power of photography to tell African American stories.
Brathwaite's contributions to the world of art and activism cannot be overstated. As a photographer, activist, and artist, he played a significant role in shaping the cultural landscape of the 1960s and beyond. His legacy continues to inspire artists, scholars, and activists working towards greater representation and inclusion in the arts.
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in Brooklyn, New York, Brathwaite was drawn to photography at a young age. A pivotal moment in his development as a photographer came when he encountered David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till in open casket in 1955. This encounter sparked his interest in capturing the human experience through images.
Brathwaite's work with the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) helped to push back against Eurocentric beauty standards, promoting a more inclusive definition of beauty that celebrated African American features. His most famous photographs, taken of young Black women known as Grandassa Models, showcased their natural beauty and became iconic representations of the "Black is Beautiful" movement.
One of Brathwaite's most notable projects was his collaboration with jazz legends such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and Nina Simone. His photographs not only captured these musicians in performance but also conveyed a deeper understanding of their music and the culture it represented.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite continued to explore new ways to express himself through photography, always staying true to the "Black is Beautiful" ethos that had guided him since the early 1960s. His work has been celebrated by museums, collectors, and scholars alike, solidifying his legacy as a pioneering figure in the history of African American art.
In recent years, Brathwaite's work has gained renewed attention, with exhibitions such as "Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For" currently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago. Despite struggling with declining health, which prevented him from being interviewed for a 2021 profile in T Magazine, his photographs continue to inspire and educate new generations about the power of photography to tell African American stories.
Brathwaite's contributions to the world of art and activism cannot be overstated. As a photographer, activist, and artist, he played a significant role in shaping the cultural landscape of the 1960s and beyond. His legacy continues to inspire artists, scholars, and activists working towards greater representation and inclusion in the arts.
Kwame Brathwaite's passing is a loss for us all, it's crazy he was still taking photos until his health declined 
He played such an important role in showcasing black culture and beauty to the world, and I think that's something we can all learn from. His collabs with jazz legends are on another level 
And I love how his work is still inspiring new generations today! The way he used photography as a tool for activism is really something special 
. This guy was a total trailblazer and his work is still so relevant today 
. It's like, his legacy is a reminder that our struggles are not over yet, but also that there are people like him who paved the way for us to keep pushin' forward 
. And those Grandassa Models? Iconic, man! They're still makin' waves today 
. I don’t usually comment but Kwame Brathwaite's story is just too inspiring not to share 
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he was a pioneer for more than just his photography skills, but also for how he showcased african american culture without apologizing for it. his work is still giving us so much today and i love that we're seeing more of his legacy being celebrated now 
Just heard about Kwame Brathwaite's passing 
He was truly a legend in his own right! I mean, can you imagine having grown up in Brooklyn as a Barbadian immigrant and still managing to turn photography into such an iconic movement? 
And let's not forget those incredible collaborations with jazz legends - talk about a dream team! 
His legacy will definitely continue to inspire new generations of artists, activists, and anyone who's passionate about telling powerful stories through images 
just lost another pioneer of beauty & identity... thought his collab w/ jazz legends was mind-blowing 
he was more than just a photographer, he was a movement 
and it's crazy how much impact he had on shifting beauty standards in this country 
like, what happened to all those collectors who wanted a piece of that 'black is beautiful' magic? anyway, brathwaite's legacy lives on and it's dope to see younger artists taking notice 
he was more than just a photographer, tho - he was a movement, a symbol of resistance against eurocentric values that sought to erase our beauty & worth... his legacy lives on, and we can all learn from his vision & passion 
kwame brathwaite was like a pioneer in capturing black american culture on camera he always promoted black beauty and challenged those eurocentric standards that society has imposed on us for too long it's crazy to think that his work is still being celebrated today and inspiring new gen's of artists and activists to keep pushing for greater representation 
it's crazy to think about all the art and activism he was a part of, his legacy will def live on 
. Can't believe his legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists, scholars, and activists 
.
. Anyway, RIP Kwame Brathwaite 
it's crazy to think that his work was instrumental in pushing back against Eurocentric beauty standards and promoting a more inclusive definition of beauty 
i mean who wouldn't want to see a black woman celebrated for being herself? 
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