History has seen countless compelling features about photographers: Vivian Maier. Perhaps cinematic storytelling particularly shines when presenting exceptionally powerful photographs. Here arrives another outstanding case, directed by creator Yemi Bamiro, exploring the remarkable career of Kwame Brathwaite—a creative force, performer and social justice champion who embodied a special cultural-activist perspective.
In partnership with his family member Elombe, he virtually invented the slogan “Black Is Beautiful” during the 1960s by photographing the Harlem models in Harlem: emerging Black women who became the transformative standard for aesthetics, moving beyond conventional beauty standards and the usual Eurocentric standard of femininity.
The Influence of a Simple Phrase
This powerful statement evolved into a radical rallying cry, an brilliant three-word declaration for progress. Just to assert that black people were beautiful became a liberating force in culture, politics and creative expression. The photographer became integral to the civil rights global Black cause by photographing the legendary boxer prior to his historic championship fight in that era.
He became the exclusive visual documentarian for the Jackson 5's international performances, and eventually assumed the role of the house photographer for the historic Harlem venue, building an incredible portfolio of musical pioneers. In collaboration with Elombe, he emerged as the driving force behind arranging for the anti-apartheid icon to address the public in the community.
Historical Recognition
The photographer's offspring Kwame Jr shares the family's campaign to achieve due acknowledgment for his father's legacy after he was hurtfully ignored in the nation's capital's Smithsonian institution, inaugurated by Barack Obama in this century.
The feature additionally explores the inexpressibly painful genesis of the artist's passion for visual storytelling: the shocking pictures of the young victim, the teenage Black murder victim whose bereaved parent courageously demanded an public viewing so the horrific reality of racial hatred would not be concealed.
Amidst Sorrow to Beauty
In this vision of tragedy, the visionary encountered a type of anti-epiphany that guided him toward visual representations of community. His work beautifully expressed community pride and often subtle in messaging: he curated a new visual language of empowerment through which activist groups could mobilize.
It is an captivating record of creative genius that persists in empower decades later.
