Kwame Brathwaite, a trailblazing activist and photographer who played a pivotal role in shaping the "Black is Beautiful" movement of the 1960s, has passed away at the age of 85. His passing marks the end of an era for a man whose tireless work helped redefine the aesthetics of Black identity.
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in what he referred to as "the People's Republic of Brooklyn," Brathwaite's life was marked by a passion for photography and a commitment to challenging traditional beauty standards. He was drawn into the world of photography at two formative moments: in 1955, when he encountered David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till; and in 1956, after co-founding the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS), which gave him the opportunity to develop his skills.
Brathwaite's unique approach to photography was characterized by a focus on capturing the essence of Black experience through images that celebrated the beauty of Black skin. Using a Hasselblad medium-format camera, he honed his craft in a small darkroom in his Harlem apartment, where he developed a distinctive technique for enhancing the visual narrative of his imagery.
As one of the pioneers of the "Black is Beautiful" movement, Brathwaite played a pivotal role in promoting Black self-love and pride. Through his photography, he showcased the beauty and strength of Black women, particularly those who were part of his Grandassa Models collective, which aimed to challenge Eurocentric beauty standards.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite collaborated with some of the most iconic figures of the 1960s music scene, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and Nina Simone. He also traveled extensively to document major events such as the historic "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.
Despite facing declining health in his later years, Brathwaite continued to create work that reflected his unwavering commitment to the "Black is Beautiful" ethos. A retrospective exhibition of his work, "Things Well Worth Waiting For," was recently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago, where it will remain until July 24.
Kwame Brathwaite's legacy extends far beyond his own photographs, however. He has inspired generations of artists and activists to challenge the status quo and promote self-love and pride among Black people. His work serves as a powerful reminder that beauty is not just about physical appearance but also about the inner strength and resilience that defines us all.
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in what he referred to as "the People's Republic of Brooklyn," Brathwaite's life was marked by a passion for photography and a commitment to challenging traditional beauty standards. He was drawn into the world of photography at two formative moments: in 1955, when he encountered David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till; and in 1956, after co-founding the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS), which gave him the opportunity to develop his skills.
Brathwaite's unique approach to photography was characterized by a focus on capturing the essence of Black experience through images that celebrated the beauty of Black skin. Using a Hasselblad medium-format camera, he honed his craft in a small darkroom in his Harlem apartment, where he developed a distinctive technique for enhancing the visual narrative of his imagery.
As one of the pioneers of the "Black is Beautiful" movement, Brathwaite played a pivotal role in promoting Black self-love and pride. Through his photography, he showcased the beauty and strength of Black women, particularly those who were part of his Grandassa Models collective, which aimed to challenge Eurocentric beauty standards.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite collaborated with some of the most iconic figures of the 1960s music scene, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and Nina Simone. He also traveled extensively to document major events such as the historic "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.
Despite facing declining health in his later years, Brathwaite continued to create work that reflected his unwavering commitment to the "Black is Beautiful" ethos. A retrospective exhibition of his work, "Things Well Worth Waiting For," was recently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago, where it will remain until July 24.
Kwame Brathwaite's legacy extends far beyond his own photographs, however. He has inspired generations of artists and activists to challenge the status quo and promote self-love and pride among Black people. His work serves as a powerful reminder that beauty is not just about physical appearance but also about the inner strength and resilience that defines us all.
85?! That's like, ancient history 
. Kwame Brathwaite was a total icon in my eyes 
, especially for bringing Black beauty to the forefront. His photography was more than just a hobby – it was a movement 
. I love how he used his camera to celebrate Black skin and challenge those Eurocentric beauty standards. He's an inspiration to anyone who's ever felt like they don't fit the mold 
. And can you believe he worked with some of the biggest names in music back in the day? Miles Davis, John Coltrane... that's legendary! 
His legacy will live on through all the people he inspired, and I'm so grateful to have grown up hearing about his work 
. Rest in peace, Kwame 
, cant believe kwame brathwaite passed away at 85 its like the end of an era for the black is beautiful movement i remember reading about his work in school and being blown away by his photography it was like nothing i had ever seen before he had a way of capturing the beauty in black skin that was just so powerful 
my grandma used to show me some of his pics and she'd always say "see, son, we're beautiful" in those days i wish more people were exposed to his work but i guess thats part of why his legacy lives on 
Kwame Brathwaite was more than just a photographer, he was a movement. His work wasn't just about capturing beauty, but about challenging the narrative and creating space for Black people to see themselves in a new light 
He showed us that our skin is not a flaw, but a part of what makes us beautiful 
And it's wild to think that his legacy will live on through all the artists and activists he inspired to keep pushing boundaries 
this is sad news... Kwame Brathwaite was like a true legend in the art world, you know? I mean, he was instrumental in bringing Black beauty to the forefront, which is something we still need more of today 
. His work with Grandassa Models collective was especially inspiring - showcasing those gorgeous Black women and challenging Eurocentric standards... it's amazing what his photography can do 
. And can you believe he was only 85? 
. But his legacy lives on through the countless Black artists & activists he inspired 
. I mean, who can forget his iconic pics of Black women being their gorgeous selves? 
The fact that he collaborated with legends like Miles Davis & Nina Simone is just mind-blowing 
. His work will forever be a reminder to love ourselves just the way we are 
Back in my day, we didn't see that kind of representation, but Brathwaite changed the game. His work with the "Black is Beautiful" movement was so powerful, it's amazing how much of an impact he had on people's perception of beauty.
. It's like we're still fighting the same battles, but now we have Brathwaite as our champion. His legacy will live on through his photographs and the countless lives he touched. We can all learn a thing or two from his unwavering commitment to self-love and pride 
... anyway, it's crazy to think about all the icons he worked with - miley davis, john coltrane... what an incredible legacy! 
#RIPKwameBrathwaite
He was like a pioneer for Black identity and self-love, you know? His photography was all about celebrating Black skin and challenging those Eurocentric beauty standards that we still see today. I mean, who wouldn't want to see more of that beautiful Blackness on the pages of fashion mags or in museums? 
!
Kwame Brathwaite's passing at 85 is sad news, but what really gets me is how underreported his life's work was. I mean, we're still getting articles about him now? 
Like, where were the retrospectives when he was alive? That "Black is Beautiful" movement was huge back in the day, so why wasn't there more attention paid to this guy's contributions?
. Remember when we used to look up to him as this icon of the Black is Beautiful movement? 
. Still, his legacy lives on, inspirin' new gen of artists and activists to keep pushin' for change 
. He was truly a trailblazer in every sense of the word. His work still inspires me to this day 
