Renowned photographer and activist Kwame Brathwaite has passed away at the age of 85. Brathwaite's work played a pivotal role in shaping the "Black is Beautiful" movement, which aimed to challenge Eurocentric beauty standards and promote African American identity.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1938, to Barbadian immigrants, Brathwaite grew up surrounded by vibrant cultural influences that would later shape his photography. His journey into photography began at a young age when he was exposed to powerful images, including David Jackson's haunting portrait of Emmett Till in open casket in 1955.
Brathwaite's passion for photography led him to co-found the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) with his brother Elombe. Through AJASS, Brathwaite began to use his camera as a tool to challenge dominant beauty standards and promote Black identity. He developed a unique darkroom technique that enriched and deepened how Black skin appeared in his photographs.
One of the most iconic aspects of Brathwaite's work is his "Grandassa Models," young Black women who became a staple of his photography. The Grandassa Models were celebrated for their natural beauty, which challenged traditional notions of beauty and helped to create a new standard of acceptance for African American women.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite worked with numerous legendary figures in the music industry, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, and Bob Marley. His photographs captured the essence of these artists and their music, showcasing the power of Black culture to shape the world.
In recent years, Brathwaite's work has experienced a resurgence in popularity, with institutions such as the Aperture Foundation and the Art Institute of Chicago featuring his photography in exhibitions. Despite struggling with health issues, Brathwaite continued to create until 2018, most recently photographing artist Joanne Petit-Frère for The New Yorker.
Kwame Brathwaite's legacy is a testament to the power of art and activism to challenge dominant narratives and promote diversity and inclusivity. His work will continue to inspire future generations to celebrate Black beauty and identity.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1938, to Barbadian immigrants, Brathwaite grew up surrounded by vibrant cultural influences that would later shape his photography. His journey into photography began at a young age when he was exposed to powerful images, including David Jackson's haunting portrait of Emmett Till in open casket in 1955.
Brathwaite's passion for photography led him to co-found the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) with his brother Elombe. Through AJASS, Brathwaite began to use his camera as a tool to challenge dominant beauty standards and promote Black identity. He developed a unique darkroom technique that enriched and deepened how Black skin appeared in his photographs.
One of the most iconic aspects of Brathwaite's work is his "Grandassa Models," young Black women who became a staple of his photography. The Grandassa Models were celebrated for their natural beauty, which challenged traditional notions of beauty and helped to create a new standard of acceptance for African American women.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite worked with numerous legendary figures in the music industry, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, and Bob Marley. His photographs captured the essence of these artists and their music, showcasing the power of Black culture to shape the world.
In recent years, Brathwaite's work has experienced a resurgence in popularity, with institutions such as the Aperture Foundation and the Art Institute of Chicago featuring his photography in exhibitions. Despite struggling with health issues, Brathwaite continued to create until 2018, most recently photographing artist Joanne Petit-Frère for The New Yorker.
Kwame Brathwaite's legacy is a testament to the power of art and activism to challenge dominant narratives and promote diversity and inclusivity. His work will continue to inspire future generations to celebrate Black beauty and identity.
Kwame Brathwaite was more than just a photographer, he was a movement in itself he gave us a platform to see ourselves in the media and challenge those Eurocentric beauty standards that have been holding us back for so long his work with the Grandassa Models is still giving me chills they were like the original Black girls on point 
i'm glad his legacy lives on through art and activism, it's a reminder that we can make a difference with our voices and our cameras 
kwame brathwaite was more than just a photographer, he was a movement! his work on the "black is beautiful" movement was so important in shaping our understanding of what it means to be black and beautiful 
i remember seeing those grandassa models for the first time and being blown away by their natural beauty 
my heart goes out to his family and loved ones - he may be gone but his legacy lives on through his incredible body of work 
Just heard about Kwame Brathwaite's passing at 85, it's so sad... he was a true pioneer in the photography world, using his lens to challenge Eurocentric beauty standards and promote African American identity. I mean, can you imagine if we didn't have these powerful images of Black people to look at, growing up? It's like he left behind a treasure trove of cultural heritage for us to learn from.
And his darkroom technique? Mind blown! It's no surprise his work is still popular today, especially after the Black Lives Matter movement. It just goes to show that art can be a powerful tool for social change. 
... I mean, who doesn't already know that? But for real though, Kwame Brathwaite was like a pioneer in this whole movement, you feel? His work was so ahead of its time and now everyone's all about celebrating diversity and inclusivity 
. At the same time, I'm not sure if he'd be happy with how much his work is being commercialized or whatever... I mean, he did struggle with health issues and stuff, so maybe that's just part of the deal 
. But overall, I think Kwame Brathwaite was a true legend and his legacy will live on forever 
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. And those Grandassa Models? Iconic! It's dope that Kwame Brathwaite got to work with some of the most legendary figures in music history, too – talk about a dream job 
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