Renowned photographer and activist Kwame Brathwaite, who played a pivotal role in defining the aesthetics of the "Black is Beautiful" movement, has passed away at the age of 85. Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants, Brathwaite grew up in New York before moving to Harlem and eventually becoming a fixture of the vibrant South Bronx community.
Brathwaite's journey into photography was marked by two pivotal moments: his encounter with David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till in open casket in 1955, which left an indelible mark on his work; and his observation of a young man taking photos without flash at a jazz club in 1956, sparking his desire to experiment with photography.
Using a Hasselblad medium-format camera, Brathwaite honed his skills, learning to work with limited light and develop a darkroom technique that enriched the visual narrative of his imagery. His photographs captured moments of triumph and celebration, such as the "Grandassa Models" – young Black women whose features were accentuated in his images – which became an iconic representation of Black beauty.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite's focus shifted from jazz to other forms of popular Black music, including collaborations with The Jackson Five, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, and Bob Marley. His work continued to explore the "Black is Beautiful" ethos, earning him recognition as a photographer and activist who challenged whitewashed beauty standards.
In recent years, Brathwaite's work has experienced a resurgence in interest from curators, historians, and collectors. His first major institutional retrospective took place at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles in 2019 before touring the country. A separate exhibition, "Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For," is currently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Despite his passing at 85, Brathwaite's legacy continues to inspire a new generation of artists and activists. His photographs remain powerful testaments to the beauty and resilience of Black people, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural landscape.
Brathwaite's journey into photography was marked by two pivotal moments: his encounter with David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till in open casket in 1955, which left an indelible mark on his work; and his observation of a young man taking photos without flash at a jazz club in 1956, sparking his desire to experiment with photography.
Using a Hasselblad medium-format camera, Brathwaite honed his skills, learning to work with limited light and develop a darkroom technique that enriched the visual narrative of his imagery. His photographs captured moments of triumph and celebration, such as the "Grandassa Models" – young Black women whose features were accentuated in his images – which became an iconic representation of Black beauty.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite's focus shifted from jazz to other forms of popular Black music, including collaborations with The Jackson Five, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, and Bob Marley. His work continued to explore the "Black is Beautiful" ethos, earning him recognition as a photographer and activist who challenged whitewashed beauty standards.
In recent years, Brathwaite's work has experienced a resurgence in interest from curators, historians, and collectors. His first major institutional retrospective took place at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles in 2019 before touring the country. A separate exhibition, "Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For," is currently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Despite his passing at 85, Brathwaite's legacy continues to inspire a new generation of artists and activists. His photographs remain powerful testaments to the beauty and resilience of Black people, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural landscape.
He may be gone but his legacy lives on through his incredible photography, which continues to inspire us all 
His work was a testament to the beauty and resilience of Black people, and we should never forget that. The world needs more people like him who fought against whitewashed beauty standards and celebrated true Black beauty 
, Kwame Brathwaite was more than just a photographer, he was a movement 
. His work wasn't just about capturing moments, it was about challenging the status quo and promoting self-love 
. It's wild that his legacy is still inspiring new artists and activists today 
. The fact that he collaborated with some of the biggest names in music at the time, like Stevie Wonder and Bob Marley, is just mind-blowing 
. His photography is a testament to the power of Black culture and the importance of representation 
. We need more people like Kwame Brathwaite in this world 
.
he was such an iconic figure in the photography world and his work is still so relevant today 
. and to think he collaborated with some of my fave artists like stevie wonder and nina simone 
... his legacy will live on for sure, inspiring people to keep pushing against whitewashed beauty standards 
just heard about Kwame Brathwaite passin away at 85 
. I wish we had more people like him who aren't afraid to challenge the status quo & celebrate black culture 
.
. i wish more ppl knew about him and his work, especially the kids today who need to see themselves represented in art and media 
. his legacy will live on and inspire even more people to celebrate their blackness and be proud of who they are 
. sad that he's gone but grateful for the impact he had on the world 
even though he's not here anymore it's crazy how his work is still inspiring new gen artists & activists 
"things well worth waiting for" what's that all about? 
gotta look into it 
his legacy will live on though, for sure. we need more people like him pushing boundaries and challenging norms...
️. Brathwaite's legacy will live on forever 
. RIP Kwame 
. I mean, those "Grandassa Models" pics are iconic 
.
. His legacy will live on, though - it's awesome that young artists and activists are still discovering and being inspired by his work 
. He may be gone, but his photos are still giving us life 