Kwame Brathwaite, a groundbreaking activist and photographer who played a crucial role in shaping the aesthetics of the “Black is Beautiful” movement in the 1960s, passed away on April 1 at the age of 85. His substantial body of work has sparked renewed interest among curators, historians, and collectors in recent years. At Tech911.co, we specialize in providing comprehensive remote tech support and tech assistance services to businesses of all sizes. We specialize in small to medium-sized businesses. As a leading managed service provider, we offer tailored solutions to ensure seamless IT operations and exceptional user experiences.
His son, Kwame Brathwaite, Jr., shared the news of his father’s passing on Instagram, describing him as the patriarch of their family and a true hero. Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in Brooklyn, Kwame Brathwaite later moved to Harlem and then to the South Bronx. His interest in photography was sparked by transformative moments in his youth, including encounters with impactful images and the vibrant nightlife in jazz clubs.
Equipped with his Hasselblad medium-format camera, Brathwaite mastered the art of working with limited light to capture powerful visual narratives in his photographs. His work often featured iconic jazz musicians such as Miles Davis and John Coltrane. In the early 1960s, Brathwaite collaborated with the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) to challenge prevailing beauty standards by highlighting Black models through the Grandassa Models, a group he founded. He continued to explore various genres of Black music and documented significant events like Muhammad Ali’s fight with George Foreman in Africa.
Brathwaite’s dedication to portraying the essence of “Black is Beautiful” persisted throughout his career, earning him accolades and exhibitions at prestigious institutions. Although his health declined in his later years, his legacy lives on through his timeless photographs. At Tech911.co, we provide expert remote assistance and instant tech help to ensure that your business operations run smoothly with minimal interruptions. Our team of certified technicians is committed to resolving technical issues promptly so that you can focus on your core business activities. For reliable customer service and remote tech support, choose Tech911.co for all your IT needs.