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Tribute to Elombe Brath
By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews
TrFibute to Elombe Brath
Declaring that a tribute to Elombe Brath is long overdue, state
Sen. Bill Perkins is calling for all the hero's friends, colleagues and
comrades to join him and members of Brath's family on Saturday, May 11,
at 4 p.m. at Harriet Tubman School in Harlem.
And for that tiny minority of folks who may not know who Brath is, let the following words provide you with at least a sketch of his remarkable life in the service of the downtrodden and oppressed.
In his autobiography, "Ready for Revolution," the acclaimed revolutionary Stokely Carmichael, aka Kwame Ture, referred to Brath as the "dean of Harlem nationalists." While such a tribute from Ture is admirable, Brath's Black Nationalism and his Pan-African thoughts, as many will attest, extend well beyond Harlem, possessing a special resonance among freedom fighters around the globe.
Brath's political commitment evolved in the late 1950s almost simultaneously with the struggle to eliminate "Negro" as the nomenclature of African-American people. From this moment of Black consciousness, it was an easy and logical step for him to lead the way in the "Black is Beautiful" campaign and the subsequent creation of the African Jazz-Arts Society and Studios with his brother Kwame and a cadre of other local activists.
Removing "Negro" from the lexicon, insisting on the beauty of Blackness and refusing to accept the Eurocentric worldview, Brath and his cohorts were in the vanguard of change as they launched the Grandassa Models, featuring Black women in all their natural-born loveliness.
All of these activities were the foundation for his total involvement in African affairs, including his association with the Federation of Pan-African Nationalist Organizations, which eventually set the stage for African Liberation Day and the development of the African Liberation Support Committee that played such a critical role in educating and organizing thousands in the fight against imperialism, colonialism and neo-colonialism on the African continent.
One of the pivotal moments in Brath's constantly evolving political philosophy, an outlook grounded in the ideas and actions promoted by Marcus Garvey and Carlos Cooks, was the formation of the Patrice Lumumba Coalition (PLC) in 1975. The PLC came at a most propitious time when there was much confusion about which liberation movement to support in the war against colonial domination in Africa. It was a matter of separating the truly progressive organizations from the reactionary ones, and Brath and members of the PLC were indispensable in providing the correct guidance and understanding of the often fractious and contentious forces vying for hegemony.
For more than a generation, Brath, as the chairman of PLC, helped to coordinate hundreds of forums with the purpose of educating the masses, not only about the struggle in Africa, but also about the conditions oppressed people faced all over the world. To list just a few of the revolutionary leaders who found the PLC a refuge of political camaraderie and a platform to express the challenges they faced would require a book.
Despite his total immersion on the international front as well as countless battles against racism at home, Brath was employed at WABC-TV, where as a graphic artist--using skills he had acquired in high school and at the School of Visual Arts--he was a vital consultant, particularly on African affairs, to Gil Noble, the esteemed host of "Like It Is." "Elombe was instrumental in facilitating the presence of many of the African leaders on the show," said Robert Van Lierop, an attorney and filmmaker formerly affiliated with the show.
None of these activities, however, detracted Brath from taking care of his family, and along with his wife, Nomsa, they raised six very successful young men, all of whom are endowed with their parents' spirit for freedom and justice.
Many of Brath's followers and comrades admit missing their leader, who was always burdened with the books, magazines and newspapers, always ready to dispense with the latest information on social and political matters, both at home and abroad, and always ready to stand his ground against backwards, counterproductive theory and practice.
Harriet Tubman School is located at 250 W. 127th St., between Frederick Douglass and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. boulevards. For more information on the tribute, call Perkins' office at 212-222-7315, attention Cordell Cleare. Admission is free.
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FROM ELDHUGHES.COM
As we end Black History Month, I want to pay homage to the Black is Beautiful
movement that began 50 years ago this year. The belief in many world
cultures that black people’s contributions are insignificant and their
physical features inherently unattractive, was challenged over a half
century ago by South African author/activist Steven Biko in his Black Consciousness testament. 
A groundbreaking event that reinforced this consciousness soon became the catalyst for change in the Black Power Movement. Black is Beautiful
steadily built momentum until it became the proud cry of blacks
throughout the diaspora, especially in the United States. And it was
achieved decades before Facebook or Twitter.
Challenging European Aesthetics
In 1962, a group of designers, musicians, artists and writers called The African Jazz-Art Society & Studios (AJASS) collaborated on an unprecedented fashion event that fueled change in the perception of black imagery around the world, The Grandessa Models Naturally ’62 debuted January 28 at Harlem’s Purple Manor. The theme: Black is Beautiful, a provocative statement of its time, with the subtitle, “The Original African Coiffure and Fashion Extravaganza Designed to Restore Our Racial Pride & Standards. Among those responsible for this event was Kwami Braithwaite, President of the National Council of Artists (NCA) New York Chapter; Carlos A. Cooks of the African Nationalist Pioneer Movement, models Jimmy Abu Williams and Black Rose Nelms.
Singer/actress Abbey Lincoln and musician Max Roach, were charter
members who performed at the events. The Grandessa models challenged
European aesthetics by showing off their natural textured hair, full
features and no makeup as they graced the runway in vibrant African
designs created by local fashion designers. They took Harlem by storm.
It was the birth of what would be an international phenomenon.
Black is Beautiful Reaches Tipping Point
By 1966, the Civil Rights Movement rose to a feverish pitch, which propelled the Black is Beautiful movement. Given the swell of Black unrest, this was the year the Black is Beautiful event reached a tipping point. Negroes and coloreds throughout America were proclaiming their blackness without shame or apology. It’s interesting to note how it trended without digital technology. AJASS designed books, magazines, and pamphlets touting the Black is Beautiful experience. It spread quickly by automobile, train, airplane and ship via travelers determined to shift paradigms. The Naturally extravaganzas toured such cities as Chicago and Detroit. The Black is Beautiful movement soon became part of the radical mainstream. Brothers and sisters of a darker hue were now in demand for TV and advertising.
African inspired clothing and jewelry were the rage. Blacks
abandoned hair chemicals and conks for naturals and afros. Black people
not only said they were beautiful, they believed it.
New Movement Reclaiming the Beauty of Blackness
The Black is Beautiful movement lasted nearly two decades but faded in the 80′s. Why did it go out of style? Did the natural hair backlash in corporate America have anything to do with it, or the Jheri curl and designer labels? Did integration, assimilation, or emerging multiculturalism contribute to its demise?
Black pride and standards have regressed since the 60’s. Though the
current generation have held on to the “Black”, not all see it as
beautiful; hence the upsurge in weaves and bleaching creams. But
despite the backsliding, there is a black light at the end of the
tunnel. The spirit of Black is Beautiful is making a comeback through the growing number of black women who are forsaking chemically treated hair for natural styles. Black is Beautiful today speaks to women of many hues and hair textures as evidenced in P & G’s My Black is Beautiful campaign. I have the feeling that this quiet resurgence will have a more lasting impact.
Resources:
http://www.demarketplace.com/blog/2010/01/sankofa-grandassa-and-calabar-magazine/
http://yeyeolade.wordpress.com/2006/12/15/black-is-beautiful-2/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SmaiTawi/message/21000
And for that tiny minority of folks who may not know who Brath is, let the following words provide you with at least a sketch of his remarkable life in the service of the downtrodden and oppressed.
In his autobiography, "Ready for Revolution," the acclaimed revolutionary Stokely Carmichael, aka Kwame Ture, referred to Brath as the "dean of Harlem nationalists." While such a tribute from Ture is admirable, Brath's Black Nationalism and his Pan-African thoughts, as many will attest, extend well beyond Harlem, possessing a special resonance among freedom fighters around the globe.
Brath's political commitment evolved in the late 1950s almost simultaneously with the struggle to eliminate "Negro" as the nomenclature of African-American people. From this moment of Black consciousness, it was an easy and logical step for him to lead the way in the "Black is Beautiful" campaign and the subsequent creation of the African Jazz-Arts Society and Studios with his brother Kwame and a cadre of other local activists.
Removing "Negro" from the lexicon, insisting on the beauty of Blackness and refusing to accept the Eurocentric worldview, Brath and his cohorts were in the vanguard of change as they launched the Grandassa Models, featuring Black women in all their natural-born loveliness.
All of these activities were the foundation for his total involvement in African affairs, including his association with the Federation of Pan-African Nationalist Organizations, which eventually set the stage for African Liberation Day and the development of the African Liberation Support Committee that played such a critical role in educating and organizing thousands in the fight against imperialism, colonialism and neo-colonialism on the African continent.
One of the pivotal moments in Brath's constantly evolving political philosophy, an outlook grounded in the ideas and actions promoted by Marcus Garvey and Carlos Cooks, was the formation of the Patrice Lumumba Coalition (PLC) in 1975. The PLC came at a most propitious time when there was much confusion about which liberation movement to support in the war against colonial domination in Africa. It was a matter of separating the truly progressive organizations from the reactionary ones, and Brath and members of the PLC were indispensable in providing the correct guidance and understanding of the often fractious and contentious forces vying for hegemony.
For more than a generation, Brath, as the chairman of PLC, helped to coordinate hundreds of forums with the purpose of educating the masses, not only about the struggle in Africa, but also about the conditions oppressed people faced all over the world. To list just a few of the revolutionary leaders who found the PLC a refuge of political camaraderie and a platform to express the challenges they faced would require a book.
Despite his total immersion on the international front as well as countless battles against racism at home, Brath was employed at WABC-TV, where as a graphic artist--using skills he had acquired in high school and at the School of Visual Arts--he was a vital consultant, particularly on African affairs, to Gil Noble, the esteemed host of "Like It Is." "Elombe was instrumental in facilitating the presence of many of the African leaders on the show," said Robert Van Lierop, an attorney and filmmaker formerly affiliated with the show.
None of these activities, however, detracted Brath from taking care of his family, and along with his wife, Nomsa, they raised six very successful young men, all of whom are endowed with their parents' spirit for freedom and justice.
Many of Brath's followers and comrades admit missing their leader, who was always burdened with the books, magazines and newspapers, always ready to dispense with the latest information on social and political matters, both at home and abroad, and always ready to stand his ground against backwards, counterproductive theory and practice.
Harriet Tubman School is located at 250 W. 127th St., between Frederick Douglass and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. boulevards. For more information on the tribute, call Perkins' office at 212-222-7315, attention Cordell Cleare. Admission is free.
7777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777
FROM ELDHUGHES.COM
“Black is Beautiful” 50-year Anniversary: A Movement that went Viral Before Digital Technology
AJASS with Grandessa Models, 1968
A groundbreaking event that reinforced this consciousness soon became the catalyst for change in the Black Power Movement. Black is Beautiful
steadily built momentum until it became the proud cry of blacks
throughout the diaspora, especially in the United States. And it was
achieved decades before Facebook or Twitter.Challenging European Aesthetics
In 1962, a group of designers, musicians, artists and writers called The African Jazz-Art Society & Studios (AJASS) collaborated on an unprecedented fashion event that fueled change in the perception of black imagery around the world, The Grandessa Models Naturally ’62 debuted January 28 at Harlem’s Purple Manor. The theme: Black is Beautiful, a provocative statement of its time, with the subtitle, “The Original African Coiffure and Fashion Extravaganza Designed to Restore Our Racial Pride & Standards. Among those responsible for this event was Kwami Braithwaite, President of the National Council of Artists (NCA) New York Chapter; Carlos A. Cooks of the African Nationalist Pioneer Movement, models Jimmy Abu Williams and Black Rose Nelms.
Black Rose and Jimmie Abu
Abby Lincoln
By 1966, the Civil Rights Movement rose to a feverish pitch, which propelled the Black is Beautiful movement. Given the swell of Black unrest, this was the year the Black is Beautiful event reached a tipping point. Negroes and coloreds throughout America were proclaiming their blackness without shame or apology. It’s interesting to note how it trended without digital technology. AJASS designed books, magazines, and pamphlets touting the Black is Beautiful experience. It spread quickly by automobile, train, airplane and ship via travelers determined to shift paradigms. The Naturally extravaganzas toured such cities as Chicago and Detroit. The Black is Beautiful movement soon became part of the radical mainstream. Brothers and sisters of a darker hue were now in demand for TV and advertising.
Nadinola Skin cream abandoned fairer skinned models for natural sisters.
New Movement Reclaiming the Beauty of Blackness
The Black is Beautiful movement lasted nearly two decades but faded in the 80′s. Why did it go out of style? Did the natural hair backlash in corporate America have anything to do with it, or the Jheri curl and designer labels? Did integration, assimilation, or emerging multiculturalism contribute to its demise?
P&G's My Black is Beautiful campaign
Resources:
http://www.demarketplace.com/blog/2010/01/sankofa-grandassa-and-calabar-magazine/
http://yeyeolade.wordpress.com/2006/12/15/black-is-beautiful-2/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SmaiTawi/message/21000
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The conversation with Kwame On the 50th anniversary has stuck with me – as has my committment to finding long term solutions. DeMarketplace has now Launched Shopping guide to help those in the Black fashion Niche and an online database with plans to use technology to achive some of those goals …
http://catalog.DeMarketplace.com and we will be working with artist and designers on all areas – Sourcing | Designing | Production/Manufacturing | Marketing | Retail- {Sales -Fulfillment} | Sport/Entertainment | Innovation | Education | Archiving | Communication and media development.
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