Kwame Brathwaite, the visionary photographer behind the iconic "Black is Beautiful" movement, has left an indelible mark on the world of art and culture. The trailblazing artist, who passed away on April 1 at the age of 85, spent a lifetime capturing the essence of Black identity through his lens.
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in what he referred to as "the People's Republic of Brooklyn," Brathwaite grew up surrounded by the vibrant sounds and sights of Harlem. It was here that his passion for photography began, sparked by two pivotal moments: the haunting image of Emmett Till's open casket in 1955, and the sight of a young photographer capturing intimate portraits without flash in a dimly lit jazz club in 1956.
Brathwaite's early work focused on jazz legends like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Thelonious Monk, but it wasn't long before he shifted his attention to celebrating Black beauty. Alongside his brother Elombe and fellow activists at the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS), Brathwaite co-founded the Grandassa Models, young Black women whose striking features would become the hallmark of his photography.
One such model, Sikolo Brathwaite, whom he married in 1966, became his muse and partner in life. Together, they worked tirelessly to promote a more inclusive and nuanced definition of beauty. Their collaborative efforts culminated in "Naturally '62," a groundbreaking fashion show that showcased the talents of these remarkable women.
Throughout the decades, Brathwaite continued to push boundaries with his camera, photographing icons like Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, and Bob Marley. His work was marked by a deep sense of empathy and an unwavering commitment to capturing the essence of Black experience.
In recent years, Brathwaite's photographs have experienced a resurgence in interest, with exhibitions and retrospectives sprouting up around the world. A testament to his enduring influence can be seen in the Art Institute of Chicago's current exhibition, "Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For," which will remain on view until July 24.
As we bid farewell to this remarkable artist, we remember a man whose work embodied the spirit of Black beauty and resilience. Kwame Brathwaite may be gone, but his photographs – and the legacy they represent – will continue to inspire and empower generations to come.
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in what he referred to as "the People's Republic of Brooklyn," Brathwaite grew up surrounded by the vibrant sounds and sights of Harlem. It was here that his passion for photography began, sparked by two pivotal moments: the haunting image of Emmett Till's open casket in 1955, and the sight of a young photographer capturing intimate portraits without flash in a dimly lit jazz club in 1956.
Brathwaite's early work focused on jazz legends like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Thelonious Monk, but it wasn't long before he shifted his attention to celebrating Black beauty. Alongside his brother Elombe and fellow activists at the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS), Brathwaite co-founded the Grandassa Models, young Black women whose striking features would become the hallmark of his photography.
One such model, Sikolo Brathwaite, whom he married in 1966, became his muse and partner in life. Together, they worked tirelessly to promote a more inclusive and nuanced definition of beauty. Their collaborative efforts culminated in "Naturally '62," a groundbreaking fashion show that showcased the talents of these remarkable women.
Throughout the decades, Brathwaite continued to push boundaries with his camera, photographing icons like Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, and Bob Marley. His work was marked by a deep sense of empathy and an unwavering commitment to capturing the essence of Black experience.
In recent years, Brathwaite's photographs have experienced a resurgence in interest, with exhibitions and retrospectives sprouting up around the world. A testament to his enduring influence can be seen in the Art Institute of Chicago's current exhibition, "Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For," which will remain on view until July 24.
As we bid farewell to this remarkable artist, we remember a man whose work embodied the spirit of Black beauty and resilience. Kwame Brathwaite may be gone, but his photographs – and the legacy they represent – will continue to inspire and empower generations to come.
. He was such an icon in the photography world and it's crazy how much of a impact he had on celebrating Black beauty. I remember seeing his pictures back in the day, like "Naturally '62" fashion show, and being blown away by how stunning those models looked 
. It's amazing to see that his work is still getting so much attention now, with all these exhibitions popping up around the world 
. He was more than just a photographer, though - he was a movement in himself. The way he used his camera to capture the essence of Black experience and promote inclusivity was really ahead of its time 
. Anyway, it's sad that we won't get to see what he'd create next, but his legacy lives on through his incredible body of work 
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just heard about Kwame Brathwaite's passing 
and art 
I mean can you believe he started taking pics of jazz legends like Miles Davis back in the day? 
but then shifted to celebrating Black beauty 
his work is still so iconic and influential today 
the way he captured the essence of Black identity through his lens was pure genius 
I'm loving that the Art Institute of Chicago just did a retrospective exhibition on him 
it's like, finally getting the recognition he deserves after all these years 
what a legacy he leaves behind 
, capturing the essence of black identity through his lens and promoting a more inclusive definition of beauty 
. his work continues to be relevant even after all these years, showing us that black beauty is more than just skin deep 
. it's amazing how one person can leave such a lasting impact on art and culture 
. his legacy will live on through his photographs and the countless lives he touched 
Kwame Brathwaite was more than just a photographer, he was a movement 
. His pics of Black people, especially women, were like nothing anyone had ever seen before 
. And let's be real, his collabs with models and activists was EVERYTHING 
. And look at how his work has inspired so many people around the world! It's like, we all have our own unique gifts and talents, but it's how we choose to use them that really matters. Brathwaite's story is a reminder to keep shining our light, even in the darkest of times 
.
We're seeing similar conversations today with people like Rihanna using their platforms to uplift Black voices and promote diversity in the industry.
his "black is beautiful" movement was way ahead of its time & it's amazing 2 see how much of an impact it had on the art world & beyond 
. I mean, have you seen the exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago? It's just a bunch of his photos stuck behind glass 
. Where are the interactive experiences? The community engagement? It just feels like they're presenting him as this isolated figure, rather than a part of a larger cultural movement 
.
. It's all just "oh, look at this beautiful photo of Nina Simone" without any context or critique 
. I want to see more nuanced discussions about the power dynamics and social commentary in his work 
His work was more than just photography – it was a way of life #RespectForKwameBrathwaite. And what's so cool is that his legacy is still being celebrated today 
. We can learn so much from this man's passion and commitment to capturing the beauty in Blackness 
just heard about kwame brathwaite passing away at 85 
his collab with sikolo brathwaite was everything 
his pics of nina simone, stevie wonder & bob marley are still some of my fave 
can't wait for the art institute of chicago's exhibition to see more of his masterpieces 
brathwaite's legacy is all about embracing black beauty & resilience 
i mean who wouldn't want to have sikolo brathwaite as their muse 
the grandassa models were more than just subjects they were his partners in promoting a new definition of beauty 
and his collaboration with nina simone is still giving me life 
i'm so grateful for his legacy and can't wait to see what future generations create inspired by his work 
. I think it's high time we give more recognition to artists like Kwame Brathwaite who paved the way for greater representation and inclusivity in the industry. His work, particularly "Black is Beautiful," was not just aesthetically stunning but also played a significant role in challenging societal norms around beauty standards.
his legacy will live on through his photography and the many lives he touched 
