Kwame Brathwaite, the visionary photographer behind the 'Black is Beautiful' movement of the 1960s and beyond, has passed away at the age of 85. His legacy as a trailblazing activist and artist will undoubtedly be remembered for generations to come.
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in New York, Brathwaite's exposure to racism and inequality sparked his determination to challenge traditional beauty standards. In 1955, at just 17 years old, he was deeply moved by David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till's open casket, which galvanized him into action.
Brathwaite co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) in 1956 with his brother Elombe. The organization, which aimed to celebrate Black culture and challenge Eurocentric norms, gave Brathwaite a platform to explore photography as a form of social commentary.
Using a Hasselblad medium-format camera, Brathwaite honed his skills in working with limited light, developing a darkroom technique that amplified the rich tones of Black skin. His photographs showcased the beauty and resilience of Black people, defying the conventional norms of the time.
Through his work, Brathwaite captured iconic images of jazz legends, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, and Bob Marley. His photographs also celebrated the beauty of Black culture, as seen in his work with the Grandassa Models, a group of young Black women who became synonymous with the 'Black is Beautiful' movement.
In 1962, Brathwaite married Sikolo, another Grandassa Model he had photographed on the street, and the couple remained together until Brathwaite's passing. By the 1970s, Brathwaite had expanded his focus to other forms of popular Black music, documenting the Jackson Five's tour in Africa and photographing the historic "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match.
Throughout his life, Brathwaite continued to explore and develop his photographic style, remaining committed to the 'Black is Beautiful' ethos. His work has been celebrated through various exhibitions, including a major retrospective at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, which made its debut in 2019 before touring across the country.
In recent years, Brathwaite's legacy has experienced renewed interest from curators, historians, and collectors. A separate exhibition, "Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For," is currently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago until July 24.
As a testament to his enduring impact, Brathwaite's photographs continue to inspire generations of artists, activists, and cultural leaders. His unwavering commitment to celebrating Black beauty and culture will be deeply missed, but his legacy will forever be etched in the fabric of our collective consciousness.
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in New York, Brathwaite's exposure to racism and inequality sparked his determination to challenge traditional beauty standards. In 1955, at just 17 years old, he was deeply moved by David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till's open casket, which galvanized him into action.
Brathwaite co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) in 1956 with his brother Elombe. The organization, which aimed to celebrate Black culture and challenge Eurocentric norms, gave Brathwaite a platform to explore photography as a form of social commentary.
Using a Hasselblad medium-format camera, Brathwaite honed his skills in working with limited light, developing a darkroom technique that amplified the rich tones of Black skin. His photographs showcased the beauty and resilience of Black people, defying the conventional norms of the time.
Through his work, Brathwaite captured iconic images of jazz legends, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, and Bob Marley. His photographs also celebrated the beauty of Black culture, as seen in his work with the Grandassa Models, a group of young Black women who became synonymous with the 'Black is Beautiful' movement.
In 1962, Brathwaite married Sikolo, another Grandassa Model he had photographed on the street, and the couple remained together until Brathwaite's passing. By the 1970s, Brathwaite had expanded his focus to other forms of popular Black music, documenting the Jackson Five's tour in Africa and photographing the historic "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match.
Throughout his life, Brathwaite continued to explore and develop his photographic style, remaining committed to the 'Black is Beautiful' ethos. His work has been celebrated through various exhibitions, including a major retrospective at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, which made its debut in 2019 before touring across the country.
In recent years, Brathwaite's legacy has experienced renewed interest from curators, historians, and collectors. A separate exhibition, "Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For," is currently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago until July 24.
As a testament to his enduring impact, Brathwaite's photographs continue to inspire generations of artists, activists, and cultural leaders. His unwavering commitment to celebrating Black beauty and culture will be deeply missed, but his legacy will forever be etched in the fabric of our collective consciousness.
Kwame Brathwaite may have been a trailblazer for Black culture, but I'm not sure it's all that surprising he lived to be 85... 
The world is just so slow to recognize true talent and greatness. And what's with the "Black is Beautiful" movement being associated with his work? Sounds like a marketing gimmick to me... 
Kwame Brathwaite was like a superhero for Black people, you know? He wanted to change the way we see ourselves and I think he totally succeeded 
His photos were so powerful and beautiful, they made us feel proud and loved 
And it's crazy that someone as young as 17 started this movement and just kept going with it even when everyone else was telling him no 
But what really gets me is how his legacy lives on and will keep inspiring people for years to come 
85 yrs young and still killing the game with his pics 
: I'm so saddened by Kwame Brathwaite's passing 
. He was a true legend in the world of photography & activism 
. His work with the 'Black is Beautiful' movement was way ahead of its time, promoting unity & self-love among black people 
. We're all gonna miss him so much 
.
. He paved the way for future generations to express themselves & celebrate their culture 
.
. That's some amazing history right there 
I've been eyeing that one out 
. we need more people like him today...people who aren't afraid to challenge the status quo and celebrate our beauty. rest in peace kwame 