Photographer Kwame Brathwaite, known for ‘Black is Beautiful’ movement, passes away at 85

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Kwame Brathwaite, the revolutionary activist and photographer, passed away on April 1 at the age of 85. His work was instrumental in shaping the “Black is Beautiful” movement of the 1960s. Known for capturing powerful imagery, his photos have recently garnered renewed appreciation from curators, historians, and collectors. His first major retrospective in 2019 at the Skirball Cultural Center brought his work to the forefront.

Born to Barbadian immigrants in 1938, Brathwaite’s journey into photography began after encountering impactful images that sparked his passion. With a Hasselblad medium-format camera, he captured iconic jazz legends and later became a champion for Black beauty standards through his Grandassa Models project. His dedication to showcasing Black excellence continued through the years with commissions to photograph music icons like Nina Simone and Bob Marley.

Despite failing health, Brathwaite’s commitment to his craft remained strong until his passing. His legacy lives on through ongoing exhibitions such as “Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For” at the Art Institute of Chicago. A true visionary in his field, Brathwaite’s work remains a testament to the power of art in shaping cultural narratives.