Renowned photographer and activist Kwame Brathwaite, a key figure 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's Brooklyn borough, Brathwaite's life was marked by a profound impact on the world of photography.
The pioneering activist's connection with photography began when he encountered David Jackson's haunting image of Emmett Till in his open casket in 1955. He also witnessed a young photographer taking photos in a dark jazz club without using a flash, sparking an idea that ignited his passion for capturing life through the lens. With this fascination, Brathwaite co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) with his brother Elombe, fostering a space where creativity and expression were encouraged.
Through AJASS, Brathwaite developed his signature approach to photography – focusing on celebrating Black beauty standards by capturing images of young Black women in Harlem. This was showcased through "Naturally '62," an annual fashion show held at the Purple Manor from 1962 until 1992. Brathwaite's vision extended beyond this movement, as he went on to photograph jazz legends and popular music icons such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, Bob Marley, Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, and others.
Brathwaite's work captured more than just performances; it conveyed a deeper sense of culture and identity. He sought to capture the essence – the mood, the feeling – that defined his subjects' experiences when they performed on stage or in their daily lives. As he once stated, "You want to get the feeling, the mood that you're experiencing when they're playing."
Throughout his life, Brathwaite continued to explore and develop his unique approach to photography while staying true to his vision of celebrating Black beauty. In 2016, he joined Philip Martin Gallery in Los Angeles, continuing to work on commissions well into the late 2010s. His work has been rediscovered by curators, historians, and collectors in recent years, as seen in exhibitions at institutions such as the Blanton Museum of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago.
As a testament to Brathwaite's lasting impact, his photography continues to inspire a new generation of artists and activists. His legacy is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of art and self-expression in challenging societal norms and promoting positive change.
The pioneering activist's connection with photography began when he encountered David Jackson's haunting image of Emmett Till in his open casket in 1955. He also witnessed a young photographer taking photos in a dark jazz club without using a flash, sparking an idea that ignited his passion for capturing life through the lens. With this fascination, Brathwaite co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) with his brother Elombe, fostering a space where creativity and expression were encouraged.
Through AJASS, Brathwaite developed his signature approach to photography – focusing on celebrating Black beauty standards by capturing images of young Black women in Harlem. This was showcased through "Naturally '62," an annual fashion show held at the Purple Manor from 1962 until 1992. Brathwaite's vision extended beyond this movement, as he went on to photograph jazz legends and popular music icons such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, Bob Marley, Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, and others.
Brathwaite's work captured more than just performances; it conveyed a deeper sense of culture and identity. He sought to capture the essence – the mood, the feeling – that defined his subjects' experiences when they performed on stage or in their daily lives. As he once stated, "You want to get the feeling, the mood that you're experiencing when they're playing."
Throughout his life, Brathwaite continued to explore and develop his unique approach to photography while staying true to his vision of celebrating Black beauty. In 2016, he joined Philip Martin Gallery in Los Angeles, continuing to work on commissions well into the late 2010s. His work has been rediscovered by curators, historians, and collectors in recent years, as seen in exhibitions at institutions such as the Blanton Museum of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago.
As a testament to Brathwaite's lasting impact, his photography continues to inspire a new generation of artists and activists. His legacy is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of art and self-expression in challenging societal norms and promoting positive change.
... he was more than just a photographer, he was a movement 
. his work celebrated black beauty standards, but also showed us the essence of our culture & identity through his lens 
. it's wild that people are rediscovering him & his legacy is inspiring a new gen of artists & activists 
... i think we can all learn from his passion for capturing life's moments & his commitment to challenging societal norms 
.
! Kwame Brathwaite was definitely one of those unsung heroes who helped shape our understanding of Black identity through his lens 
. I mean, can you imagine what it would've been like to witness the Civil Rights Movement through his camera? The stories he could've told, the images he could've captured... 
His dedication to celebrating Black beauty and culture was truly ahead of its time 
. And let's not forget all the jazz legends and icons he photographed – what a dream lineup! 
I'm so grateful for his work being rediscovered by new generations, keeping his legacy alive 
kwame brathwaite's work was ahead of its time, i mean think about it he was capturing these iconic figures back in the 60s and 70s when black people were still being marginalized and oppressed, but his lens showed a different side, one that celebrated black beauty and culture. and its crazy to think about how many legends he photographed 
. As someone who grew up admiring his work, it's surreal to think that he's no longer with us to share his vision and inspire new generations 
. His contribution to photography, particularly in capturing Black beauty standards, was truly groundbreaking 
It's crazy to think about the likes of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Bob Marley being immortalized through his lens 
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. He had this uncanny sense of what defined his subjects' experiences when they performed on stage or in their daily lives 
. His work wasn't just about aesthetics; it was about capturing a feeling that transcended time and space 
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. He showed us that by celebrating Black beauty, we can challenge societal norms and promote positive change 
.
just heard about Kwame Brathwaite passing away at 85... what an amazing legacy he left behind 
I love that he co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society with his brother Elombe - what an amazing partnership 
and I'm glad to see that his work is being rediscovered by new generations of artists and activists 
but at the same time I feel like it's kinda weird that he lived for 85 years and still managed to be relevant all this time? I mean, 85 is old, even for someone as passionate about life as him. but on the other hand, shouldn't he get a pass just because he had such an incredible impact on the world of photography? like, his work is still inspiring people today, so that's kinda cool right? 
. it's crazy how they only just started rediscovering his photography now, must be because they realized their mistake in not giving him the recognition he deserved sooner 
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. As an artist myself, I can only imagine how inspiring his legacy must be for young creatives looking to make a difference through their own work 
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i remember reading about how he got inspired by seeing a young photog take pics in a dark jazz club without flash - that's some old-school cool 
he got people to see black beauty in a whole new way and that's still feeling the vibes today 
he left us with a legacy that will keep on inspiring people for generations to come 
just heard about Kwame Brathwaite passing away at 85 
it's crazy to think he co-founded AJASS with his brother Elombe and started capturing images of young Black women in Harlem back in the day 
i love how his work was more than just performances, it was a way to convey culture and identity 
... just found out about Kwame Brathwaite, that OG photographer who snapped pics of legends like Miles Davis & Stevie Wonder back in the day 
. Like, who else could make you feel like royalty just by takin' your pic? 
Kwame Brathwaite was a true pioneer, his work was more than just photography, it was a movement, you know? he captured the essence of black culture, identity, and beauty in a way that was raw and real. I remember watching those "Naturally '62" fashion shows back in the day, they were like nothing anyone had ever seen before 
. and now his work is being rediscovered by new generations, it's amazing to see how his legacy continues to inspire and influence art and activism 
he was definitely a legendary photographer but i need to know more about his connection to the "Black is Beautiful" movement 
it's crazy to think about all the jazz legends he shot over the years, like Miles Davis and Nina Simone 
. Still, his legacy lives on through his work... let's keep celebrating Black beauty 
. The fact that his photography has been rediscovered by curators, historians, and collectors is just proof of its timeless impact