Renowned Photographer and Activist Kwame Brathwaite Dies at 85, Leaving Behind Lasting Legacy of Black Beauty
Kwame Brathwaite, a trailblazing photographer and activist who helped shape the aesthetic of the "Black is Beautiful" movement, has passed away at the age of 85. His son announced his father's passing in an Instagram post, calling him "the patriarch of our family, our rock and my hero."
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in New York, Brathwaite grew up surrounded by art and music. He developed a passion for photography at a young age, influenced by the work of David Jackson, who captured Emmett Till's brutalized body in an open casket. Another pivotal moment came when Brathwaite saw a photographer taking shots without flash in a dark jazz club – it sparked his imagination.
Using a Hasselblad medium-format camera, Brathwaite honed his craft, experimenting with limited light and developing a darkroom technique that accentuated the beauty of Black skin. His photographs of jazz legends like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Thelonious Monk helped define the "Black is Beautiful" movement, which celebrated African American culture and challenged Eurocentric beauty standards.
In 1962, Brathwaite co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) with his brother Elombe. The group's mission was to promote Black art and culture, and they organized a groundbreaking fashion show called "Naturally '62" in Harlem, featuring models who celebrated their natural hair. This event marked the beginning of a 30-year legacy for AJASS.
Brathwaite's work also extended beyond photography to music, with commissions from artists like Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, and Bob Marley. He traveled to Africa with the Jackson Five in 1974, capturing the historic "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.
Despite his passing, Brathwaite's legacy lives on through his work, which continues to inspire new generations of artists and activists. His photographs are currently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago as part of an exhibition titled "Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For."
Kwame Brathwaite, a trailblazing photographer and activist who helped shape the aesthetic of the "Black is Beautiful" movement, has passed away at the age of 85. His son announced his father's passing in an Instagram post, calling him "the patriarch of our family, our rock and my hero."
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in New York, Brathwaite grew up surrounded by art and music. He developed a passion for photography at a young age, influenced by the work of David Jackson, who captured Emmett Till's brutalized body in an open casket. Another pivotal moment came when Brathwaite saw a photographer taking shots without flash in a dark jazz club – it sparked his imagination.
Using a Hasselblad medium-format camera, Brathwaite honed his craft, experimenting with limited light and developing a darkroom technique that accentuated the beauty of Black skin. His photographs of jazz legends like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Thelonious Monk helped define the "Black is Beautiful" movement, which celebrated African American culture and challenged Eurocentric beauty standards.
In 1962, Brathwaite co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) with his brother Elombe. The group's mission was to promote Black art and culture, and they organized a groundbreaking fashion show called "Naturally '62" in Harlem, featuring models who celebrated their natural hair. This event marked the beginning of a 30-year legacy for AJASS.
Brathwaite's work also extended beyond photography to music, with commissions from artists like Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, and Bob Marley. He traveled to Africa with the Jackson Five in 1974, capturing the historic "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.
Despite his passing, Brathwaite's legacy lives on through his work, which continues to inspire new generations of artists and activists. His photographs are currently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago as part of an exhibition titled "Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For."
Kwame Brathwaite's passing is a huge loss for the art world 
, but his legacy will keep shining bright for ages to come 
. I mean, think about it - this guy was ahead of his time, pushing boundaries and challenging norms from the 60s onwards 
. His photography and activism played a massive role in shaping the "Black is Beautiful" movement, which is still celebrated today 
.
. And can we talk about his iconic images of jazz legends? Those are some truly timeless masterpieces 
. Brathwaite's dedication to celebrating African American beauty and culture is something we should all strive for 
.
.
. I mean, can you imagine if someone had put out a movement like this 50 years ago? It would've been huge 
. I'm so glad we're finally seeing a shift in how beauty is perceived, but at the same time, I wish we didn't have to wait for someone like Kwame Brathwaite to come along and show us the importance of representation 
. Anyway, I hope they play some jazz music at his memorial service 
he was a true pioneer & his work is still so inspiring & relevant today 
i mean, who else can say they helped shape the "black is beautiful" movement back in the day? 
. He was like a true pioneer in capturing the beauty and essence of Black culture through his lens 
, and it's crazy to think about how much he influenced the world we live in today 
.
Kwame Brathwaite changed that narrative and gave people like me a sense of pride and identity 
.
and that's still so relevant today. his legacy isn't just about him, but about all the artists and activists who've been inspired by his work. it's a reminder that art has the power to change people's minds and create new perspectives 
his photography wasn't just about looks, it was about empowerment and self-love. I mean, who else would dare to show the world what Black skin looked like? 
his legacy is still giving us life today, inspiring artists and activists to keep pushing boundaries