Pioneering Photographer of 'Black is Beautiful' Movement Kwame Brathwaite Passes Away at 85
Kwame Brathwaite, a photographer whose powerful images helped define the "Black is Beautiful" movement of the 1960s and beyond, has died at the age of 85. The celebrated artist's work has been on resurgent display in recent years, with notable exhibitions including his major institutional retrospective, which debuted in 2019 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in Brooklyn, New York, Brathwaite's family moved to Harlem and then the South Bronx when he was five years old. He attended the School of Industrial Art (now the High School of Art and Design), where he discovered his passion for photography after encountering David Jackson's haunting image of Emmett Till in 1955.
Brathwaite's work is characterized by its use of limited light, a technique that enhances the visual narrative of his images. He also developed a darkroom technique that deepened how Black skin appeared in his photographs, reflecting his dedication to celebrating the beauty and dignity of Black subjects.
In the early 1960s, Brathwaite co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) with his brother Elombe, which aimed to push back against Eurocentric beauty standards. He photographed young Black women, known as Grandassa Models, who celebrated their natural hair and features. The group organized a groundbreaking fashion show in 1962, "Naturally '62," which would go on to be held regularly until 1992.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite worked with numerous jazz legends, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and Nina Simone. He also photographed popular music icons such as Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, Bob Marley, and the Jackson Five on their African tour in 1974.
By the 1970s, Brathwaite's focus shifted to other forms of Black music, and he continued to explore his photography style, joining Philip Martin Gallery in Los Angeles in 2016. Despite struggling with health issues, which prevented him from being interviewed for a profile in T Magazine in 2021, his work remains on display at various exhibitions, including the current show "Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For" at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Brathwaite's legacy as a pioneering photographer and activist will be remembered for generations to come. His powerful images continue to celebrate the beauty and dignity of Black subjects, inspiring new audiences to appreciate the richness and diversity of Black culture.
Kwame Brathwaite, a photographer whose powerful images helped define the "Black is Beautiful" movement of the 1960s and beyond, has died at the age of 85. The celebrated artist's work has been on resurgent display in recent years, with notable exhibitions including his major institutional retrospective, which debuted in 2019 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in Brooklyn, New York, Brathwaite's family moved to Harlem and then the South Bronx when he was five years old. He attended the School of Industrial Art (now the High School of Art and Design), where he discovered his passion for photography after encountering David Jackson's haunting image of Emmett Till in 1955.
Brathwaite's work is characterized by its use of limited light, a technique that enhances the visual narrative of his images. He also developed a darkroom technique that deepened how Black skin appeared in his photographs, reflecting his dedication to celebrating the beauty and dignity of Black subjects.
In the early 1960s, Brathwaite co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) with his brother Elombe, which aimed to push back against Eurocentric beauty standards. He photographed young Black women, known as Grandassa Models, who celebrated their natural hair and features. The group organized a groundbreaking fashion show in 1962, "Naturally '62," which would go on to be held regularly until 1992.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite worked with numerous jazz legends, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and Nina Simone. He also photographed popular music icons such as Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, Bob Marley, and the Jackson Five on their African tour in 1974.
By the 1970s, Brathwaite's focus shifted to other forms of Black music, and he continued to explore his photography style, joining Philip Martin Gallery in Los Angeles in 2016. Despite struggling with health issues, which prevented him from being interviewed for a profile in T Magazine in 2021, his work remains on display at various exhibitions, including the current show "Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For" at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Brathwaite's legacy as a pioneering photographer and activist will be remembered for generations to come. His powerful images continue to celebrate the beauty and dignity of Black subjects, inspiring new audiences to appreciate the richness and diversity of Black culture.
just saw the news about Kwame Brathwaite passing away at 85... what a legendary photographer! I mean, who else could say they helped define a movement that's still celebrated today? 
his work is like no other - it's not just about taking pictures, it's about giving voice to an entire community. and let's be real, those "Naturally '62" photos are GOALS 
... celebrating Black beauty has always been important, but Kwame Brathwaite was a true pioneer in making it mainstream. his legacy is definitely something we can all get behind 
just heard about Kwame Brathwaite passing away at 85 & I'm still in awe of his work! he was more than just a photographer, he was an artist, activist & trailblazer who helped shape the "Black is Beautiful" movement 
. it's amazing to see how his legacy continues to inspire new generations & celebrate the beauty & dignity of Black subjects 
. as a parent, I love seeing my kids learn about history through art & activism - Kwame Brathwaite's story is such an important reminder of the power of creativity & determination 
. let's keep celebrating his life & work! 
. I think what's amazing is that he wasn't just a photographer, but also a part of the movement to break down Eurocentric beauty standards 
. His work still inspires people today, and I love that his legacy will keep pushing for self-love and acceptance 
.
. I mean, all this retroactive recognition is nice, but where were his peers back in the day? Did they have the guts to show the world that Black skin is beautiful without getting lynched or arrested first? The 'Black is Beautiful' movement was about more than just aesthetics – it was about survival and resistance.
Kwame Brathwaite was like a legend in photography 
he had this amazing technique with limited light which made his pics even more powerful 
rest in peace 
.
. and can we talk about the "naturally '62" fashion show? game changer 
.
he was truly a pioneer in celebrating black beauty & identity on camera his photography is more than just pics - it's a movement 
anyway, i'm gonna go check out that art institute show ASAP 
... i mean, some people say he was but others claim it was always like that in africa and he just showed us through his lens 
... can we even separate art from the artist? maybe brathwaite's work was influenced by his environment and upbringing, rather than being a direct representation of black beauty standards 
his work still inspires us today with its raw emotion & unapologetic celebration of black beauty 
his use of limited light added another layer of depth to his images, making them even more striking 
and let's give a shoutout to the Grandassa Models - they were ahead of their time in celebrating natural hair & beauty 
I'm so sad to hear about Kwame Brathwaite's passing 
... he was a true legend in his field and a pioneer for the 'Black is Beautiful' movement 
... they were pushing against Eurocentric beauty standards at a time when it was super rare for Black people to be represented positively in media 
. Brathwaite worked with some of the biggest jazz legends and music icons of all time, which is just amazing 
. His legacy will definitely live on and continue to inspire new generations 
and those grandassa models he photographed were truly trailblazers 
his pics are still giving me LIFE 
mind blown. his legacy will live on thru all the youngins out there who are still celebrating black beauty today 
rest in peace kwame 
, but his work still lives on and that's something to celebrate! I mean who wouldn't want to be remembered as the guy who made Black beauty the new norm?