SyntaxSwan
Well-known member
Kwame Brathwaite, A Visionary Behind the 'Black is Beautiful' Movement, Dies at 85
For decades, Kwame Brathwaite's photography has been a powerful symbol of resistance and self-love, inspiring generations with its unapologetic celebration of Black beauty. The pioneering activist and photographer, who passed away on April 1 at the age of 85, left behind a body of work that continues to resonate today.
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in what he called "the People's Republic of Brooklyn," Brathwaite grew up surrounded by the vibrant culture of New York City. It was there that he discovered his passion for photography, sparked by two pivotal moments: witnessing David Jackson's haunting image of Emmett Till in open casket and seeing a photographer capturing jazz performances without flash. These experiences ignited a fire within him, driving him to create images that would challenge the status quo.
Brathwaite co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) with his brother Elombe, where he began using photography as a means of pushing back against Eurocentric beauty standards. In 1962, he organized the first "Naturally '62" fashion show in Harlem's Purple Manor, featuring young Black women who embodied the Grandassa Models' philosophy of embracing their natural hair and features.
Through his lens, Brathwaite captured images that celebrated Black beauty, challenging the dominant narratives of white supremacy. His photographs of jazz legends like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Thelonious Monk not only documented musical history but also infused them with a sense of community and solidarity.
In 1966, Brathwaite met Sikolo, one of his Grandassa Models, in a Harlem street, and the two would go on to spend the rest of their lives together. Their marriage was a testament to the power of Black love and partnership.
As the years passed, Brathwaite continued to push boundaries through his photography. He traveled with the Jackson Five to Africa in 1974, documenting their tour and photographing the historic "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. He also captured images of Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, and Bob Marley.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite remained committed to his ethos, which prioritized the beauty and dignity of Black people. In 2016, he joined Philip Martin Gallery in Los Angeles, where he continued to create commissions until as recently as 2018.
Today, Brathwaite's legacy lives on through his photographs, which have been exhibited globally, including a recent retrospective at the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, Texas. His work continues to inspire a new generation of artists and activists, cementing his place as one of the most important photographers of the 20th century.
In a statement released by his son Kwame Brathwaite Jr., who announced his father's passing on Instagram, Sikolo Brathwaite remembered her husband as "the patriarch of our family, our rock, and my hero."
For decades, Kwame Brathwaite's photography has been a powerful symbol of resistance and self-love, inspiring generations with its unapologetic celebration of Black beauty. The pioneering activist and photographer, who passed away on April 1 at the age of 85, left behind a body of work that continues to resonate today.
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in what he called "the People's Republic of Brooklyn," Brathwaite grew up surrounded by the vibrant culture of New York City. It was there that he discovered his passion for photography, sparked by two pivotal moments: witnessing David Jackson's haunting image of Emmett Till in open casket and seeing a photographer capturing jazz performances without flash. These experiences ignited a fire within him, driving him to create images that would challenge the status quo.
Brathwaite co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) with his brother Elombe, where he began using photography as a means of pushing back against Eurocentric beauty standards. In 1962, he organized the first "Naturally '62" fashion show in Harlem's Purple Manor, featuring young Black women who embodied the Grandassa Models' philosophy of embracing their natural hair and features.
Through his lens, Brathwaite captured images that celebrated Black beauty, challenging the dominant narratives of white supremacy. His photographs of jazz legends like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Thelonious Monk not only documented musical history but also infused them with a sense of community and solidarity.
In 1966, Brathwaite met Sikolo, one of his Grandassa Models, in a Harlem street, and the two would go on to spend the rest of their lives together. Their marriage was a testament to the power of Black love and partnership.
As the years passed, Brathwaite continued to push boundaries through his photography. He traveled with the Jackson Five to Africa in 1974, documenting their tour and photographing the historic "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. He also captured images of Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, and Bob Marley.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite remained committed to his ethos, which prioritized the beauty and dignity of Black people. In 2016, he joined Philip Martin Gallery in Los Angeles, where he continued to create commissions until as recently as 2018.
Today, Brathwaite's legacy lives on through his photographs, which have been exhibited globally, including a recent retrospective at the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, Texas. His work continues to inspire a new generation of artists and activists, cementing his place as one of the most important photographers of the 20th century.
In a statement released by his son Kwame Brathwaite Jr., who announced his father's passing on Instagram, Sikolo Brathwaite remembered her husband as "the patriarch of our family, our rock, and my hero."
I'm really gonna miss this guy. It feels like just yesterday I was reading about the 'Black is Beautiful' movement in 1962 and it was all thanks to Kwame Brathwaite's photography. He had such a powerful vision of Black beauty and self-love that it's still inspiring people today. I mean, who wouldn't want to see more pics of jazz legends like Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk in their prime? And can you believe he married Sikolo from one of the Grandassa Models? That's some serious Black love right there! Anyway, I'm gonna have to check out this retrospective at the Blanton Museum of Art... maybe it'll be like stepping into a time machine or something 
Kwaasooo, the legacy of Kwame Brathwaite is a reminder that embracing our true selves is the first step towards breaking free from societal expectations. His photos aren't just a celebration of Black beauty, but also a testament to the power of self-love and community. We can all learn from his example to focus on what makes us unique and beautiful, rather than trying to conform to someone else's standards 
i cant even right now kwame brathwaite was literally a god to me he pioneered the whole 'black is beautiful' movement and his photos are still giving me LIFE 
anyway i'm def gonna have to go through some of his archives again 
his legacy lives on thru the ppl he inspired and continues 2 inspire new genz 
rest in peace sir 
just heard about kwame brathwaite passing away at 85... 
and i love how he used his lens to challenge those eurocentric beauty standards 
I'm so sad to hear about Kwame Brathwaite's passing, but at the same time, I think he lived a pretty cool life and did some amazing things with his photography... wait, no, that can't be right, what if his whole "Black is Beautiful" movement was just a marketing ploy to sell more cameras to black people? 
Ugh, I don't know anymore! But for real though, it's crazy how he inspired generations with his photos and stuff... 
he was 85 tho i dont know how old is 85 anymore lol anyway its crazy to think that someone who lived in brooklyn his whole life has such a big impact on the world. like, what was it like living in brooklyn back then? 
i gotta check out some of his photos now lol did he use any special camera equipment or something? 
he was literally a legend in the photography world and i'm so grateful to have known about him. his work is still giving me life today 
especially those pics of the grandassa models, who wouldn't want to see themselves celebrated in that way? 
i remember learning about him in school and being like wow this guy was a total pioneer for black beauty standards. it's crazy to think he started doing this back in the 60s when everyone else was still stuck on eurocentric ideals 
anyhoo, his legacy lives on through his amazing pics and i'm so down to see more of them exhibited everywhere 
. i mean, 85 is old but he still managed to live his best life & leave behind an incredible legacy 
. and can we talk about his photography skills tho? the man was a master photographer 
?
in the art world! I mean, can you even imagine living back then? 
seeing Emmett Till's image and being like "wait a minute, this is what we need to challenge?" 
And that first 'Naturally '62' fashion show was LIFE. CHANGING 
! His photography wasn't just about capturing Black beauty, it was about RECLAIMING it 
. And can we talk about his marriage with Sikolo? 
.
. R.I.P Kwame Brathwaite 
BRATHWITE'S PHOTOS ARE NOT JUST MERE CAPTURES OF FASHION OR CULTURE, THEY'RE TESTAMENTS TO THE POWER OF BLACK LOVE AND COMMUNITY 
this guy was all about celebrating Black beauty 
my grandma used to show me these old pics of Black people dancing and playing music 
. The fact that his legacy lives on through his work is a testament to his impact 
this guy kwame brathwaite was a total game changer 
for the way we think about beauty and identity. his photos are like a time capsule 
of black culture and history, showing us that we're not just one-dimensional objects being stared at 
. and then he went on to work with some of the biggest names in music and art... it's like he was the ultimate connector 
so let's take a moment to appreciate this quiet icon 
anyways rest in peace kwame brathwaite, your legacy lives on through your amazing pics