Kwame Brathwaite, a photographer who played a pivotal role in the "Black is Beautiful" movement of the 1960s and beyond, has passed away at the age of 85. Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in New York, Brathwaite's life was marked by a relentless pursuit of beauty, identity, and empowerment.
As a young man, Brathwaite was drawn to photography after encountering David Jackson's haunting image of Emmett Till in open casket. He soon discovered that he could use the medium to push back against Eurocentric beauty standards and celebrate Black culture. In 1962, he co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) with his brother Elombe, which became a hub for promoting Black artists and challenging whitewashed norms.
One of Brathwaite's most notable achievements was his work with the Grandassa Models, young Black women who were celebrated for their natural beauty. His photographs of these models helped to redefine the notion of beauty in the 1960s, showcasing African American features in a way that had never been seen before.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite worked with some of the most iconic figures of the time, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and Nina Simone. He also traveled to Africa to document the Jackson Five's tour and captured the historic "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.
Despite struggling with poor health in recent years, Brathwaite continued to work as a photographer until his passing. His legacy lives on through his photographs, which have been exhibited worldwide and continue to inspire new generations of artists and activists.
As one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century, Kwame Brathwaite's work serves as a testament to the power of art to challenge and transform societal norms. His commitment to celebrating Black beauty and identity will be deeply missed, but his impact on the world of photography and beyond will continue to be felt for years to come.
As a young man, Brathwaite was drawn to photography after encountering David Jackson's haunting image of Emmett Till in open casket. He soon discovered that he could use the medium to push back against Eurocentric beauty standards and celebrate Black culture. In 1962, he co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) with his brother Elombe, which became a hub for promoting Black artists and challenging whitewashed norms.
One of Brathwaite's most notable achievements was his work with the Grandassa Models, young Black women who were celebrated for their natural beauty. His photographs of these models helped to redefine the notion of beauty in the 1960s, showcasing African American features in a way that had never been seen before.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite worked with some of the most iconic figures of the time, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and Nina Simone. He also traveled to Africa to document the Jackson Five's tour and captured the historic "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.
Despite struggling with poor health in recent years, Brathwaite continued to work as a photographer until his passing. His legacy lives on through his photographs, which have been exhibited worldwide and continue to inspire new generations of artists and activists.
As one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century, Kwame Brathwaite's work serves as a testament to the power of art to challenge and transform societal norms. His commitment to celebrating Black beauty and identity will be deeply missed, but his impact on the world of photography and beyond will continue to be felt for years to come.
He was way older than 85 tho... born in 1938, that makes him at least 87 lolol. I guess they gotta say he passed away, not just "gone" 
... he was a total legend in the photography game, pushing boundaries with his work on black beauty & identity. can't believe his legacy will live on through his amazing photos - they're still so powerful today, giving us chills and making us feel seen 
. i'm loving the fact that his work is still being exhibited all over the world, inspiring new gen of artists & activists to keep pushing forward 
. what an incredible impact he had on our culture & society 
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. The dude was a total legend and a true pioneer in promoting Black culture and beauty through his work with AJASS and the Grandassa Models 
. His photos of those young models back in the 60s were game changers, you know? They helped to break down all those Eurocentric beauty standards and show the world what true beauty looks like 
. I'm gonna miss seeing his work online, but I know it'll keep inspiring new generations of artists and activists 
. It's crazy to think that his work has been inspiring new gen of artists and activists - that's what it's all about, you know? Leaving a mark on the world in a positive way 
his work with the Grandassa Models was game changing, showing the world what beauty really looks like. he was all about celebrating black culture and identity, and that's something we need more of in this world today 
️.
not everyone appreciates that kinda power but i think its awesome that he fought against eurocentric beauty norms and celebrated african american culture instead 