Kwame Brathwaite, Photographer Behind the 'Black is Beautiful' Movement, Passes Away at 85
Renowned photographer Kwame Brathwaite has left an indelible mark on the world of photography and civil rights activism. He died on April 1st, aged 85, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations.
Born in Brooklyn in 1938, Brathwaite was exposed to the harsh realities of racism at a young age. However, it wasn't until he encountered David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till's open casket in 1955 that he found his calling as a photographer. The encounter sparked a passion for documenting the African American experience and pushing against Eurocentric beauty standards.
Brathwaite's work is characterized by its raw emotion, intimacy, and unflinching honesty. He photographed some of the most iconic figures of the Civil Rights Movement, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and Muhammad Ali. His photographs captured the essence of jazz legends performing live, their music transporting viewers to a world of beauty and joy.
One of Brathwaite's most enduring legacies is his work with the Grandassa Models, young Black women he photographed in the 1960s, celebrating their natural beauty and hair textures. The movement, which has continued even after Brathwaite's passing, aimed to challenge traditional beauty standards that marginalized African Americans.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite explored various forms of popular Black music, including soul, reggae, and hip-hop. He photographed Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, Bob Marley, and other music legends, capturing the essence of their artistry.
Brathwaite's work has been recognized by institutions worldwide, with his first major institutional retrospective debuting in 2019 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. The exhibition, which toured the country, cemented his status as a master photographer and civil rights activist.
Despite struggling with health issues, Brathwaite continued to create until his passing. A recent profile published by T Magazine on the occasion of his retrospective noted that his health had deteriorated significantly, making it impossible for him to be interviewed.
Brathwaite's legacy extends far beyond his photographs, which serve as a testament to his tireless dedication to social justice and human rights. His work continues to inspire artists, activists, and everyday people around the world, reminding us of the power of beauty and self-love in shaping our lives.
Kwame Brathwaite's passing leaves a void that can never be filled, but his photographs will continue to speak volumes about his unwavering commitment to social justice and the celebration of Black identity.
Renowned photographer Kwame Brathwaite has left an indelible mark on the world of photography and civil rights activism. He died on April 1st, aged 85, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations.
Born in Brooklyn in 1938, Brathwaite was exposed to the harsh realities of racism at a young age. However, it wasn't until he encountered David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till's open casket in 1955 that he found his calling as a photographer. The encounter sparked a passion for documenting the African American experience and pushing against Eurocentric beauty standards.
Brathwaite's work is characterized by its raw emotion, intimacy, and unflinching honesty. He photographed some of the most iconic figures of the Civil Rights Movement, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and Muhammad Ali. His photographs captured the essence of jazz legends performing live, their music transporting viewers to a world of beauty and joy.
One of Brathwaite's most enduring legacies is his work with the Grandassa Models, young Black women he photographed in the 1960s, celebrating their natural beauty and hair textures. The movement, which has continued even after Brathwaite's passing, aimed to challenge traditional beauty standards that marginalized African Americans.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite explored various forms of popular Black music, including soul, reggae, and hip-hop. He photographed Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, Bob Marley, and other music legends, capturing the essence of their artistry.
Brathwaite's work has been recognized by institutions worldwide, with his first major institutional retrospective debuting in 2019 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. The exhibition, which toured the country, cemented his status as a master photographer and civil rights activist.
Despite struggling with health issues, Brathwaite continued to create until his passing. A recent profile published by T Magazine on the occasion of his retrospective noted that his health had deteriorated significantly, making it impossible for him to be interviewed.
Brathwaite's legacy extends far beyond his photographs, which serve as a testament to his tireless dedication to social justice and human rights. His work continues to inspire artists, activists, and everyday people around the world, reminding us of the power of beauty and self-love in shaping our lives.
Kwame Brathwaite's passing leaves a void that can never be filled, but his photographs will continue to speak volumes about his unwavering commitment to social justice and the celebration of Black identity.
. his work with black is beautiful movement was so iconic & it's still relevant today. he captured so much beauty in his photography, not just physical but also the cultural heritage of black people. his ability to make us see ourselves in our own history is what makes him such an important figure. and can you believe he photographed all those legendary jazz & music figures? 
anyway, we'll miss him but his legacy lives on 
kwame brathwaite was like the ultimate hero for black people and photography, his work is still giving me chills even after all these years. i mean, he wasnt just a photographer, he was a symbol of self love and acceptance, especially in a time when its easy to be told u dont belong. his grandassa models project is so iconic, it changed the game for black women everywhere 
just heard about Kwame Brathwaite's passing 
his 'Black is Beautiful' movement is so important in challenging traditional beauty standards that marginalized African Americans 
i grew up admiring his work and learning from his legacy 
the way he celebrated Black culture, music, and identity is truly inspiring 
can't wait to see how his work continues to inspire future generations of artists & activists 
kwame brathwaite's legacy is more than just his photos, its about the movement he sparked that still lives on today. he helped us see ourselves in a different light, to love our natural beauty and not have it diminished by societal norms 
kwame brathwaite was like a mastermind behind the 'black is beautiful' movement, and it's wild to think he passed away at 85 without anyone even noticing his health was slipping 
, but what really gets me is that grandassa models were just a way for him to subtly flip the script on traditional beauty standards 
. it's like he was saying, 'hey, you can't erase us, we're beautiful too!' 
kwame brathwaite was more than just a photographer he was a movement 
️ his work is still giving us life today and his legacy will live on forever 
what can we learn from his life and art? 
sadly we lost an icon, Kwame Brathwaite was more than just a photographer, he was a movement, his work with the Grandassa Models is so inspiring, I wish I could've seen him at work in person 
all those iconic photos of jazz legends, soul music icons, and black models just celebrating their natural beauty... it's like he's leaving us with this amazing legacy to carry on 
... and can we talk about his work with Nina Simone & Stevie Wonder? what a genius he was! 
. Rest in peace, Kwame 
kwame brathwaite is literally the OG 
i'm so sad he passed away but his legacy lives on 
especially those black is beautiful pics 
his work with grandassa models was SO ahead of its time 
can't wait for that retrospective exhibition in 2019 to be re-released 
btw i'm gonna go listen to some nina simone now 
His 'Black is Beautiful' campaign has had a lasting impact on how we perceive beauty 
But seriously, his work is still giving us life today. I love how he celebrated Black beauty and challenged traditional Eurocentric standards 
I wish we had more people like him, you know? Someone who's passionate about social justice and human rights 