Renowned photographer and activist Kwame Brathwaite has passed away at the age of 85, leaving behind a legacy of powerful images that continue to inspire and provoke. Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in New York, Brathwaite's life was marked by his unwavering commitment to celebrating Black beauty and identity.
Growing up in Harlem, Brathwaite encountered some of the most iconic figures of his time, including jazz legends Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Thelonious Monk. He was drawn to photography at a young age, captivated by David Jackson's haunting image of Emmett Till's open casket in 1955. This encounter would shape Brathwaite's own approach to photography, which he later described as capturing the "feeling, the mood" of his subjects.
In the early 1960s, Brathwaite co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS), an organization dedicated to promoting Black art and culture. Through AJASS, Brathwaite developed his signature style, which emphasized natural beauty and rejected Eurocentric standards of beauty. His photography of young Black women, known as the Grandassa Models, became a defining image of the "Black is Beautiful" movement.
Brathwaite's work extended far beyond his iconic images of Black beauty. He traveled to Africa with the Jackson Five in 1974, photographing some of the most iconic figures of popular Black music at the time. His commissions also included Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, and Bob Marley. Through it all, Brathwaite remained committed to celebrating Black culture and identity.
Despite his passing, Brathwaite's work continues to inspire new generations of artists and activists. A retrospective exhibition of his work is currently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago, where it will remain until July 24. As T Magazine noted in a 2021 profile, Brathwaite's health had been declining, but his legacy remains as strong as ever.
Throughout his life, Brathwaite remained dedicated to promoting Black beauty and identity. His work continues to be a powerful testament to the enduring power of art and activism.
Growing up in Harlem, Brathwaite encountered some of the most iconic figures of his time, including jazz legends Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Thelonious Monk. He was drawn to photography at a young age, captivated by David Jackson's haunting image of Emmett Till's open casket in 1955. This encounter would shape Brathwaite's own approach to photography, which he later described as capturing the "feeling, the mood" of his subjects.
In the early 1960s, Brathwaite co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS), an organization dedicated to promoting Black art and culture. Through AJASS, Brathwaite developed his signature style, which emphasized natural beauty and rejected Eurocentric standards of beauty. His photography of young Black women, known as the Grandassa Models, became a defining image of the "Black is Beautiful" movement.
Brathwaite's work extended far beyond his iconic images of Black beauty. He traveled to Africa with the Jackson Five in 1974, photographing some of the most iconic figures of popular Black music at the time. His commissions also included Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, and Bob Marley. Through it all, Brathwaite remained committed to celebrating Black culture and identity.
Despite his passing, Brathwaite's work continues to inspire new generations of artists and activists. A retrospective exhibition of his work is currently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago, where it will remain until July 24. As T Magazine noted in a 2021 profile, Brathwaite's health had been declining, but his legacy remains as strong as ever.
Throughout his life, Brathwaite remained dedicated to promoting Black beauty and identity. His work continues to be a powerful testament to the enduring power of art and activism.
Kwame Brathwaite was a total icon 
! I mean, can you even imagine growing up in Harlem with jazz legends as your neighbors? 
He was all about celebrating Black beauty and identity, and his photography still gives me CHILLS 
. The way he captured the "feeling, the mood" of his subjects is just pure MAGIC 
. And who can forget those iconic Grandassa Models? 
They're still giving me life today! 
Anyway, it's so sad to hear he's gone, but his legacy lives on and will continue to inspire us for generations to come 
.
... like we're supposed to feel sad about some dude passing away? Not me. Kwame Brathwaite was a legend, no doubt, but 85 is still pretty young, you know? 
Still can't believe he's gone. His photography is iconic, but let's be real, it's not like the world didn't already have enough pics of black people looking gorgeous 
. Anyway, I'm glad his work is inspiring new gens to keep pushing boundaries, even if some old folks might say "back in my day..." 
just saw about Kwame Brathwaite passing away at 85... what an incredible legacy he leaves behind 
the way he captured those grandassa models back in the day was like nothing anyone else was doing. still feels like we're missing out on the next big thing from him now... 
, can't believe he's gone at 85... what a legacy, though! #RIPKwameBrathwaite 
The Art Institute of Chicago is doing him justice with that retrospective exhibition #KwameBrathwaiteExhibition 
Can't wait to see it when I get a chance! 
Kwame Brathwaite was defo an icon in the photography world. I think its sad that hes passed away but his legacy lives on thru his pics 
The fact that hes worked w/ Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, & Bob Marley is wild 
.
. The way he captured Black beauty and identity in a time when it wasn't always celebrated is, like, SO inspiring 
. I love how he didn't just take pics of famous people but also highlighted lesser-known artists & activists too 
. His work is still so relevant today and I'm low-key obsessed with the Grandassa Models pics 
. This retrospective exhibition in Chicago better be on my bucket list ASAP 
!
They're still serving looks to this day 
. I think what I admire most about Brathwaite is that he never compromised his vision or message, even when the world wasn't ready for it 
Kwame Brathwaite was more than just a photographer, he was a movement 
. I mean, can you imagine growing up without seeing yourself reflected in the media? It's crazy to think about how much of an impact his photography had on shaping our understanding of what it means to be Black 
! And let's not forget about all the other iconic figures he photographed, from Nina Simone to Stevie Wonder 
I've got some stats on his impact: 
️
his photos of the Grandassa Models are still giving me chills today 
also did he have any regrets about not focusing more on other aspects of black culture beyond beauty? 
And it's cool that his work influenced so many people, including artists and activists. His commitment to celebrating Black beauty and identity is a great reminder of the importance of representation in media.