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

We have witnessed numerous engaging documentaries focusing on image makers: Vivian Maier. Maybe cinematic storytelling truly excels when presenting exceptionally powerful photographs. Here comes a new exceptional case, from filmmaker Yemi Bamiro, chronicling the remarkable professional journey of Kwame Brathwaite—a photographer, performer and African American activist who exemplified a special politico-aesthetic approach.

Together with his family member Elombe, he virtually invented the phrase “Black Is Beautiful” during the sixties by photographing the Harlem models in Harlem: youthful Black women who became the transformative standard for aesthetics, moving beyond typical beauty standards and the established Caucasian standard of womanhood.

The Impact of Three Words

This powerful statement became a transformative rallying cry, an inspired concise manifesto for change. Simply stating that black people radiated beauty emerged as a empowering influence in art, activism and the arts. The artist emerged as integral to the social justice African diaspora struggle by capturing images of the sports icon leading up to his legendary Zaire bout in that era.

He was appointed the primary photographer for the band's international performances, and eventually became the official visual chronicler for the iconic Harlem venue, assembling an extraordinary collection of African American artists. Together with his brother, he became the driving force behind bringing the anti-apartheid icon to address the public in Harlem.

Historical Recognition

The photographer's offspring Kwame Jr recounts the family's quest to ensure proper recognition for his parent's achievements after he was hurtfully excluded in the prestigious Smithsonian institution, inaugurated by Barack Obama in 2016.

The film further reveals the profoundly sorrowful origin of the photographer's interest in photography: the disturbing images of the young victim, the teenage African American lynching victim whose mourning family member defiantly requested an uncovered casket so the brutal truth of bigoted brutality would not be covered up.

From Tragedy to Empowerment

In this representation of tragedy, the visionary found a type of anti-epiphany that guided him toward images of community. His images powerfully conveyed celebratory strength and often not overtly political: he developed a fresh iconography of pride upon which social causes could gather.

This represents an exhilarating chronicle of artistic vision that still resonate across generations.