Pioneering Photographer of the 'Black is Beautiful' Movement Passes Away at 85
Kwame Brathwaite, a trailblazing photographer whose work played a pivotal role in shaping the aesthetic of the "Black is Beautiful" movement of the 1960s and beyond, has passed away on April 1st, aged 85. His son announced his father's passing on Instagram, calling him "Baba," or father.
Born to Barbadian immigrants in Brooklyn in 1938, Brathwaite's life was marked by a deep-seated commitment to celebrating Black culture and identity. After being exposed to the haunting photograph of Emmett Till's open casket at the age of 17, he became drawn to photography as a means to express himself and tell the stories of his community.
In collaboration with his brother Elombe, Brathwaite co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS), which aimed to promote Black artistic expression and challenge Eurocentric beauty standards. This endeavor led him to create the iconic Grandassa Models, young Black women who were photographed by Brathwaite to celebrate their natural beauty.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite worked with some of the most influential figures in jazz, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Thelonious Monk. He also traveled extensively, documenting the Jackson Five's tour and photographing iconic events such as the "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.
In recent years, Brathwaite's work has experienced a resurgence in interest, with several exhibitions showcasing his contributions to the "Black is Beautiful" movement. His first major institutional retrospective, organized by Aperture Foundation, debuted at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles in 2019 before touring across the country.
Brathwaite's photography was not only about capturing the beauty of Black people but also about conveying a sense of pride and self-love. As he once stated, "You want to get the feeling, the mood that you're experiencing when they're playing." His work continues to inspire new generations of artists, curators, and collectors who are committed to preserving and promoting the aesthetic values of the "Black is Beautiful" movement.
As Brathwaite's legacy endures, his family, friends, and fans are left to mourn the loss of a true pioneer in the world of photography. His passing serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of celebrating our shared cultural heritage and the enduring power of art to shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
Kwame Brathwaite, a trailblazing photographer whose work played a pivotal role in shaping the aesthetic of the "Black is Beautiful" movement of the 1960s and beyond, has passed away on April 1st, aged 85. His son announced his father's passing on Instagram, calling him "Baba," or father.
Born to Barbadian immigrants in Brooklyn in 1938, Brathwaite's life was marked by a deep-seated commitment to celebrating Black culture and identity. After being exposed to the haunting photograph of Emmett Till's open casket at the age of 17, he became drawn to photography as a means to express himself and tell the stories of his community.
In collaboration with his brother Elombe, Brathwaite co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS), which aimed to promote Black artistic expression and challenge Eurocentric beauty standards. This endeavor led him to create the iconic Grandassa Models, young Black women who were photographed by Brathwaite to celebrate their natural beauty.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite worked with some of the most influential figures in jazz, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Thelonious Monk. He also traveled extensively, documenting the Jackson Five's tour and photographing iconic events such as the "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.
In recent years, Brathwaite's work has experienced a resurgence in interest, with several exhibitions showcasing his contributions to the "Black is Beautiful" movement. His first major institutional retrospective, organized by Aperture Foundation, debuted at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles in 2019 before touring across the country.
Brathwaite's photography was not only about capturing the beauty of Black people but also about conveying a sense of pride and self-love. As he once stated, "You want to get the feeling, the mood that you're experiencing when they're playing." His work continues to inspire new generations of artists, curators, and collectors who are committed to preserving and promoting the aesthetic values of the "Black is Beautiful" movement.
As Brathwaite's legacy endures, his family, friends, and fans are left to mourn the loss of a true pioneer in the world of photography. His passing serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of celebrating our shared cultural heritage and the enduring power of art to shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
just found out about Kwame Brathwaite's passing and I'm so bummed 
he was literally a legend in my eyes, you know? like, his work is still giving me LIFE 
85 years young and leaving an indelible mark on photography and art history is just...wow. I remember reading about the Grandassa Models he worked with and being blown away by their beauty and confidence - it's no wonder they've become icons in the world of fashion 
. his legacy lives on through all the artists, curators, and collectors who continue to celebrate Black culture and identity 
he was literally a hero 2 me his photography is still giving me life & inspiration 2 this day i was just lookin at old pics of him with the jackson five 
i remember watchin those vids w/ my mom in high school we always celebrated black culture & identity & kwame's work is like a big ol' hug 4 all us people who've ever felt like we didn't fit into the norm he really showed us that our beauty & worth are beyond compare 
... but at the same time, some of his work can feel pretty dated to me? Idk, maybe I'm just too critical lol. What do you guys think about the resurgence of interest in his work? Should we be giving him more recognition for paving the way for future generations of Black artists? 
his work was more than just photography, it was a celebration of Black identity and beauty that continues to inspire people today 
but to see how it sparked something in him to become a photographer and share black beauty with the world... it's truly inspiring 
. I mean think about it, he was only 17 when he saw Emmett Till's open casket and that's what sparked this fire in him to use photography as a means of expression 
. And can we talk about the Grandassa Models? Those young Black women were literally the definition of natural beauty 
. It's wild how his work has experienced a resurgence in interest, but it's even crazier that people are still discovering his contributions to the "Black is Beautiful" movement 
. His passing is a huge loss, but his legacy will live on through the countless artists and collectors he inspired 
. I'm sure his photos of the Grandassa Models will continue to inspire young artists to take control of their own narratives 
I don't want to dismiss his contributions to the "Black is Beautiful" movement as being too superficial. Maybe, just maybe, he was trying to celebrate a different kind of beauty that wasn't always seen or valued in mainstream culture. It's hard for me to say, tbh.
his work was more than just photography, it was a celebration of black culture & identity 
. he inspired a generation with his art and his legacy will live on through the many artists & collectors he touched