The Beauty of Blackness: The Inspiring Story of Game-Changing Photographer Kwame Brathwaite

History has seen countless fascinating films highlighting image makers: Vivian Maier. Perhaps cinematic storytelling naturally comes alive when showcasing exceptionally powerful visual compositions. Here we have a new exceptional instance, by creator Yemi Bamiro, documenting the impressive life's work of Kwame Brathwaite—a creative force, musician and civil rights advocate who exemplified a special artistic-political vision.

In partnership with his brother Elombe, he pioneered the expression “Black Is Beautiful” in the 1960s by capturing the Grandassa Models in New York: emerging women of color who became the groundbreaking standard for beauty, rejecting typical beauty standards and the established Caucasian standard of womanhood.

The Influence of Three Words

Black Is Beautiful became a radical rallying cry, an inspired memorable prose poem for transformation. Simply declaring that black people were beautiful emerged as a empowering force in culture, politics and culture. The artist became a key figure in the civil rights African diaspora struggle by photographing the legendary boxer leading up to his legendary Zaire bout in that era.

He served as the exclusive photographer for the band's African tour, and eventually became the house photographer for the legendary cultural institution, building an amazing portfolio of musical pioneers. In collaboration with Elombe, he became the central figure behind bringing the South African leader to speak in Harlem.

Family Legacy

Brathwaite's son Kwame Jr recounts the their mission to secure due acknowledgment for his father's legacy after he was hurtfully excluded in Washington DC's Smithsonian institution, opened by the former president in recent years.

This documentary also recounts the profoundly sorrowful origin of the artist's interest in photography: the horrendous pictures of the lynching martyr, the adolescent Black lynching victim whose bereaved parent boldly demanded an uncovered casket so the horrific reality of racial hatred would not be hidden.

Through Darkness to Empowerment

Through this vision of tragedy, the artist discovered a form of transformative realization that guided him toward images of community. His images were eloquent of community pride and frequently subtle in messaging: he curated a new visual language of pride around which political movements could unite.

This represents an exhilarating testament of cultural impact that continues to inspire across generations.