Kwame Brathwaite, the Visionary Behind 'Black is Beautiful,' Dies at 85
The renowned photographer and activist who spearheaded the "Black is Beautiful" movement has passed away on April 1st at the age of 85. His work continues to captivate audiences with its powerful message of self-love and acceptance.
Born in New York in 1938, Brathwaite's life was marked by a passion for art and activism from an early age. After being exposed to David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till in his open casket at the age of 17, he became determined to pursue photography as a means of self-expression and social commentary.
In 1956, Brathwaite co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS), where he met his future wife Sikolo. The couple's union was cemented in 1966 when they married, surrounded by their Grandassa Models – young Black women who would become the face of Brathwaite's photography.
Through his lens, Brathwaite aimed to capture the essence of Black culture and identity, pushing back against Eurocentric beauty standards. His work became synonymous with the "Black is Beautiful" movement, which celebrated the unique qualities of Black skin and hair. The Grandassa Models, many of whom were also involved in AJASS, became iconic figures in Brathwaite's photography.
Brathwaite's impact extended beyond his work as a photographer. He was an influential figure in the Civil Rights Movement, attending historic events such as the Rumble in the Jungle boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. His photographs of jazz legends like Miles Davis and John Coltrane further solidified his reputation as a talented and innovative artist.
In recent years, Brathwaite's work has experienced a resurgence in interest, with exhibitions at institutions like the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles and the Art Institute of Chicago. Despite struggling with health issues that prevented him from being interviewed for a 2021 profile in T Magazine, his legacy lives on through the countless artists, musicians, and activists whose careers he helped to document.
Kwame Brathwaite's vision is an enduring testament to the power of art and self-love. His passing leaves behind a rich legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.
The renowned photographer and activist who spearheaded the "Black is Beautiful" movement has passed away on April 1st at the age of 85. His work continues to captivate audiences with its powerful message of self-love and acceptance.
Born in New York in 1938, Brathwaite's life was marked by a passion for art and activism from an early age. After being exposed to David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till in his open casket at the age of 17, he became determined to pursue photography as a means of self-expression and social commentary.
In 1956, Brathwaite co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS), where he met his future wife Sikolo. The couple's union was cemented in 1966 when they married, surrounded by their Grandassa Models – young Black women who would become the face of Brathwaite's photography.
Through his lens, Brathwaite aimed to capture the essence of Black culture and identity, pushing back against Eurocentric beauty standards. His work became synonymous with the "Black is Beautiful" movement, which celebrated the unique qualities of Black skin and hair. The Grandassa Models, many of whom were also involved in AJASS, became iconic figures in Brathwaite's photography.
Brathwaite's impact extended beyond his work as a photographer. He was an influential figure in the Civil Rights Movement, attending historic events such as the Rumble in the Jungle boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. His photographs of jazz legends like Miles Davis and John Coltrane further solidified his reputation as a talented and innovative artist.
In recent years, Brathwaite's work has experienced a resurgence in interest, with exhibitions at institutions like the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles and the Art Institute of Chicago. Despite struggling with health issues that prevented him from being interviewed for a 2021 profile in T Magazine, his legacy lives on through the countless artists, musicians, and activists whose careers he helped to document.
Kwame Brathwaite's vision is an enduring testament to the power of art and self-love. His passing leaves behind a rich legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.
It's heartbreaking to hear about Kwame Brathwaite's passing, but his work will undoubtedly keep inspiring us all. His legacy of celebrating Black beauty and identity is a reminder that our worth isn't defined by external standards. He'll be deeply missed, but his vision lives on through the countless artists and activists he touched. 
Kwame Brathwaite was like a true pioneer in the photography world, you know? his work was all about spreading love and acceptance, especially when it came to black culture 
he wasn't afraid to challenge those eurocentric beauty standards that were holding our community back. and let's not forget his impact on the civil rights movement - dude was a total trailblazer 
he had this fire in his soul and he used photography as a way to spread love and acceptance, you know? it's crazy how he started taking pics at 17 after seeing that emmett till photo 
and then went on to create this iconic movement with the grandassa models 
. his legacy is all about celebrating black culture and identity, and it's so needed in these times 
. i'm glad people are still discovering and appreciating his work, even if he's not around anymore 
. it's crazy that his legacy is still being celebrated today, but at the same time, i feel like we're still having these conversations about representation in media 
. anyway, his passing feels like a loss for our cultural landscape 
he was like a true pioneer in showcasing Black beauty, you know? I mean, can you imagine if someone had done something similar for white people back then? It would've been huge! 
but it's sad that he passed away at 85, he was definitely one of the most iconic photographers out there. I remember reading about his work in art school and being blown away by his vision... 
anyway, it's great to see that his legacy lives on and people are still discovering his work today... 
anyway, i'm glad kwame brathwaite is getting the recognition he deserves, but let's be real, his work was way ahead of its time. 85 years young and still pushing boundaries... that's what i call a true visionary 
the fact that his photos are still being celebrated today is a testament to how important it is to preserve our cultural heritage. can we please get some more black voices on this platform tho? 
. Kwame Brathwaite was more than just a photographer, he was a symbol of hope for Black people around the world. I mean think about it, a man who was born in New York and grew up seeing the beauty in his own skin, decided to make it his mission to show the world that too 
.
.