Inspired by the exhibition Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955-1985, we are thrilled to host the Jackson premiere of the documentary Black is Beautiful: The Kwame Brathwaite story. Everyone knows the phrase “Black is Beautiful,” but few know of the man who helped popularize it. Little known Harlem based photographer – freedom fighter and activist – Kwame Brathwaite took 500,000 photos across his 60-year career, always devoted to celebrating the joy and beauty of African American life. This feature documentary tells the story of Kwame and the “Black is Beautiful” movement.

Tickets: $5

“Before Black is beautiful, you didn’t see us on television, you didn’t see us in the magazines, you didn’t see us in the newspapers except for negative things. It was a beautiful time for us.” – Grandassa Model

“When you see Kwame’s work you’re like: ‘that’s my childhood, like that’s it’.” – Alicia Keys

“The beauty and role of photography is not just to exist in a vacuum in and unto itself but it’s to reflect the times and to essentially have a conversation with who and what is shaping culture.” -Tyler Mitchell