The Beauty of Blackness: The Revealing Story of Trailblazing Artist Kwame Brathwaite

We have witnessed numerous engaging documentaries about image makers: Vivian Maier. Maybe cinematic storytelling truly excels when showcasing exceptionally powerful photographs. Today we have another remarkable instance, from filmmaker Yemi Bamiro, documenting the remarkable career of Kwame Brathwaite—a creative force, performer and social justice champion who exemplified a unique artistic-political perspective.

In partnership with his sibling Elombe, he effectively created the slogan “Black Is Beautiful” during the 1960s by photographing the African American women in the cultural epicenter: young African American women who transformed into the transformative archetype for visual appeal, abandoning traditional beauty standards and the predominant Eurocentric ideal of female beauty.

The Influence of a Revolutionary Slogan

Black Is Beautiful evolved into a radical call to action, an brilliant three-word declaration for change. Merely stating that black people possessed beauty proved to be a transformative force in society, activism and the arts. The photographer grew into part of the Black power pan-Africanist cause by capturing images of the sports icon leading up to his historic championship fight in 1974.

He was appointed the official image creator for the Jackson 5's African tour, and eventually became the resident artist for the legendary Harlem venue, creating an amazing portfolio of musical pioneers. Alongside Elombe, he was the central figure behind securing Nelson Mandela to address the public in the community.

Personal Journey

His son Kwame Jr recounts the family's mission to secure appropriate credit for his father's legacy after he was hurtfully ignored in the nation's capital's National Museum of African American History and Culture, inaugurated by the political leader in 2016.

This documentary also recounts the profoundly sorrowful genesis of the artist's passion for photography: the shocking images of Emmett Till, the adolescent African American lynching victim whose mourning family member boldly requested an uncovered casket so the horrific reality of racist violence would not be covered up.

Amidst Sorrow to Beauty

Through this representation of horror, the visionary discovered a type of profound understanding that guided him toward visual representations of aspiration. His work were eloquent of community pride and typically subtle in messaging: he curated a innovative iconography of empowerment upon which activist groups could mobilize.

It is an inspiring testament of cultural impact that persists in empower decades later.