Renowned Photographer and Civil Rights Icon Kwame Brathwaite Passes Away at 85
Kwame Brathwaite, a trailblazing photographer and activist whose work embodied the "Black is Beautiful" ethos of the 1960s, has passed away at the age of 85. Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in Brooklyn, New York, Brathwaite's life was marked by his unwavering commitment to capturing the beauty and dignity of African Americans.
Growing up in Harlem and later moving to the South Bronx, Brathwaite developed a passion for photography at an early age. His encounter with David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till in 1955 was a pivotal moment that sparked his interest in documentary photography. He would go on to attend the School of Industrial Art (now the High School of Art and Design), where he honed his skills and began experimenting with photography.
In the early 1960s, Brathwaite co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) with his brother Elombe. Together, they sought to challenge Eurocentric beauty standards by promoting Black pride and self-expression through their work. The Grandassa Models, a group of young Black women who posed for Brathwaite's photographs, became a defining aspect of the "Black is Beautiful" movement.
Brathwaite's photography spanned multiple genres, including jazz legends, popular music icons like Nina Simone and Stevie Wonder, and even documenting the historic "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. His work was marked by its unique blend of intimacy, storytelling, and unapologetic celebration of Black identity.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite's focus remained on capturing the essence and beauty of African American culture. He continued to evolve as an artist, exploring new themes and techniques while staying true to his core values. His work has been exhibited in institutions worldwide, including a major retrospective at the Art Institute of Chicago, which will run until July 24.
Brathwaite's legacy extends far beyond his impressive body of work. As a photographer, activist, and father, he left an indelible mark on the lives of those who knew him. His dedication to promoting Black pride, self-expression, and cultural heritage will continue to inspire future generations of artists, activists, and anyone who seeks to celebrate and challenge the status quo.
In a statement announcing his passing, Brathwaite's son, Kwame Brathwaite Jr., wrote: "I am deeply saddened to share that my Baba, the patriarch of our family, our rock and my hero has transitioned." The outpouring of tributes and condolences from around the world is a testament to Brathwaite's profound impact on the art world, social justice movements, and countless individuals who have been touched by his work.
Kwame Brathwaite, a trailblazing photographer and activist whose work embodied the "Black is Beautiful" ethos of the 1960s, has passed away at the age of 85. Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in Brooklyn, New York, Brathwaite's life was marked by his unwavering commitment to capturing the beauty and dignity of African Americans.
Growing up in Harlem and later moving to the South Bronx, Brathwaite developed a passion for photography at an early age. His encounter with David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till in 1955 was a pivotal moment that sparked his interest in documentary photography. He would go on to attend the School of Industrial Art (now the High School of Art and Design), where he honed his skills and began experimenting with photography.
In the early 1960s, Brathwaite co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) with his brother Elombe. Together, they sought to challenge Eurocentric beauty standards by promoting Black pride and self-expression through their work. The Grandassa Models, a group of young Black women who posed for Brathwaite's photographs, became a defining aspect of the "Black is Beautiful" movement.
Brathwaite's photography spanned multiple genres, including jazz legends, popular music icons like Nina Simone and Stevie Wonder, and even documenting the historic "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. His work was marked by its unique blend of intimacy, storytelling, and unapologetic celebration of Black identity.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite's focus remained on capturing the essence and beauty of African American culture. He continued to evolve as an artist, exploring new themes and techniques while staying true to his core values. His work has been exhibited in institutions worldwide, including a major retrospective at the Art Institute of Chicago, which will run until July 24.
Brathwaite's legacy extends far beyond his impressive body of work. As a photographer, activist, and father, he left an indelible mark on the lives of those who knew him. His dedication to promoting Black pride, self-expression, and cultural heritage will continue to inspire future generations of artists, activists, and anyone who seeks to celebrate and challenge the status quo.
In a statement announcing his passing, Brathwaite's son, Kwame Brathwaite Jr., wrote: "I am deeply saddened to share that my Baba, the patriarch of our family, our rock and my hero has transitioned." The outpouring of tributes and condolences from around the world is a testament to Brathwaite's profound impact on the art world, social justice movements, and countless individuals who have been touched by his work.
He was like the ultimate OG photographer, you know? Capturing the essence of Black culture in a time when it was really needed. The "Black is Beautiful" movement is still so iconic and influential today, but it's crazy to think that it was basically started by this one dude from Brooklyn 
His photography is just so intimate and storytelling, you can feel the passion and conviction behind every shot 
That's like a masterclass in documentary photography right there. The way he wove that image into the fabric of American history... it's just mind-blowing. And can we talk about the Grandassa Models for a sec? 
They're like the original Black models, paving the way for everyone else.
His legacy is more than just his photography – it's about the impact he had on people's lives, especially Black people.
Life is like a canvas, paint it yourself 
He captured so many iconic moments in history, from jazz legends to civil rights icons. His legacy lives on through his son & the countless people he inspired with his work 
It's heartbreaking that we've lost this incredible talent, but his pics will keep celebrating Black identity for generations to come 
he was so iconic! his photography was more than just pictures it was a movement 
, a photographer who didn't just capture Black people as subjects but actually celebrated their beauty and identity. His work is still so relevant today, you know? I mean, the "Black is Beautiful" movement was way ahead of its time and it's crazy to think that it was all inspired by his passion for photography 
. His legacy will live on though, and I'm sure there are so many young people out there who are gonna be inspired by his work to keep pushing boundaries and celebrating their own identities 
He lived a life full of purpose & passion, doc. His photography is still giving me chills, especially those portraits of the Grandassa Models - they're like a window into another era, ya know? 
The way he captured the beauty in Black culture, it's like he was saying, "Hey, we're worth looking at!" 
He must've had some awesome conversations, right? 
it's crazy that this guy has been gone for like 2 days already feels like we just lost him yesterday 
his work is still giving us so much life and inspiration. can't believe the world will never see another photo from him that's just 
Kwame Brathwaite was like my ultimate hero lol he's been an inspiration to me since i was a kid and now he's gone 
I remember seeing his photos of the Grandassa Models and being blown away by how beautiful and proud they were 
it's crazy to think that someone who lived over 85 years ago was still breaking down barriers for black people's self-expression and identity back then 
anyway i'm gonna keep looking at his work and learning from him 
, creating over 30,000 images 
. His iconic "Black is Beautiful" movement 
helped challenge Eurocentric standards and promote self-love and pride 
, but his impact goes way beyond financial value 
. He inspired a generation of artists, activists, and social justice warriors 
Let's look at some stats: Kwame Brathwaite's work is in the collections of 15 major art museums 
The "Black is Beautiful" movement is still celebrated today 
, with events and exhibitions taking place worldwide 
. Kwame Brathwaite's legacy will continue to inspire future generations to celebrate their culture and challenge the status quo 
Did you know that 90% of Black models who posed for Brathwaite went on to become artists or activists themselves? 
kwame's legacy extends far beyond his own work too - he was a true activist and advocate for social justice. rest in peace to an amazing man! 