Embracing the Black Is Beautiful Legacy:

The Grandassa Models Intergenerational Reflections

In the words of the late scholar Elombe Brath, The Grandassa Models, a group of women who “embraced” their “classical African physiognomy” – natural features, natural hair and natural skin color tones in the late 1950’s/early ‘60s, nearly a full decade before their pioneering effort became a national trend — “were destined to be internationally celebrated. The women resurrected Marcus Garvey’s often scoffed credo, Black is Beautiful, at a time when, for some, to be called “Black” in some circles was anathema.

Brath and his brother Kwame Brathwaite, who would become an award-winning world-class photographer and image, joined forces with other sensitive, young thought leaders armored with knowledge and their personal appreciation for their African roots and a love for jazz, they formed the Jazz-Art Society & Studios in 1956. It was renamed The Jazz-Art Society & Studios, AJASS, producers of art exhibitions, jazz concerts and cultural presentations.

AJASS produced a revolutionary Cultural Manifestation that would deal directly with the problem of making Black people see themselves as beautiful. Influenced by Carlos A. Cooks, Marcus Garvey’s teachings and works, AJASS organizers Elombe Brath, Kwame Brathwaite, Robert Gumbs, Frank Adu, and others launched the Grandassa Models and the theme “Black Is Beautiful.”

The Original models were Priscilla Bardonille, Black Rose, Nomsa Brath, Beatrice Cramston, Esther Davenport, Clara Lewis, Wanda Sims and Mari Toussaint. These women were the visages who launched the first Black self-love global movement. They appeared in a series of “Naturally” shows, starting with “Naturally ‘62” which – as reported – “projected racial pride.”
Today, Grandassa Models are an intergenerational collective of women committed to promoting natural African beauty as the standard.

For Women’s Month, we’re reflecting on what Black Is Beautiful means in this technological age. We also pay tribute to the Grandassas who appeared in the first “Naturally” show – royals Brath, Lewis, Bardonille, Toussant, Davenport, Sims, Cramston, and our only living member of that group— Queen Black Rose.

As we extol the history, we also elevate the heiresses of that legacy who are determined to walk with pride and keep the Black is Beautiful alive. Below are our reflections on that tight but gentle embrace of our natural roots.

Brenda “Yemojaogun” Evans
(Original Grandassa/1962-present)
The Crown is the Home Plate: I attended the first ‘Naturally’ on January 28, 1962. Afterwards, Kwame and Elombe invited me to join the Grandassa Models, who— along with AJASS— re-energized my awareness of my worth, purpose, and God-given right to shine a light for all to see. I thank the Most Highs (HIM & HER), for the strength and the insight to endure; ability to express revelations within, and to release from personal wars in this revolutionary phase of my life, as it was and AS IT IS!
I bring thanks to QUEEN BLACK ROSE. Your relentless exhibitions of Black Beauty are reflected in every step, every word, without any hints of doubt, while embellishing THE CROWN AS THE HOME PLATE FOR ALL ELSE TO EXIST. ASE’! O BELOVED. ASE’!

Amina Nilajah Carlest
(Next Generation Grandassa/2023-present)
I feel beautiful, connected: “Black Is Beautiful” is more than a phrase—it’s a powerful statement of self-love, heritage, and identity. As the granddaughter of the late Kwame Brathwaite and grandniece of Elombe Brath, two pioneers of AJASS and the Grandassa Models, I am deeply connected to a legacy that celebrates Black beauty in its many forms. I’ve experienced and found joy in the creativity that natural hair allows. Adorning my hair with styles that reflect my essence affirms who I am—authentically and confidently.
I also admire the Grandassa Models, whose dedication to natural hair and empowerment of African descendants inspires me.
In embracing my natural hair, I feel beautiful and connected to my roots, living fully as my true self.

Sikolo Brathwaite
Original Grandassa (1966-present)
Bold, Beautiful, Unapologetic: Meeting the members of AJASS, attending Carlos A. Cooks weekly workshops, and joining The Grandassa Models positively impacted the trajectory of my life. These bold beautiful unapologetically confident young women helped to pioneer the Black Is Beautiful Movement.
Black Rose, an original Grandassa Model, opened the first “AFRIKAN BEAUTY CENTER catering to natural hair and also developed a very high-quality line of products for haircare and skincare. She is the only living Grandassa Model who participated in the very first Naturally on January 28, 1962. Her positive impact on multiple generations is evidenced by the fact that one of her loyal supporters named her youngest daughter, “Black Rose.”

Dr. Amber Ann “Nzingha” Lyons
Next Generation Grandassa (2023-present)
Carrier of the Legacy: Proud and honored is an understatement, when I speak about the impact of the Next Generation of Grandassa Models embracing the legacy of AJASS, birthed in 1956, and the Grandassa Models first show in 1962.
We are blessed to rest upon the shoulders of our last living original Grandassa Model, Queen Black Rose.
We have made great strides to protect and cultivate our rich heritage within the modern-day lifestyle; while providing an example of black pride, strength, courage and hope for our youth to become a part of the Black Is Beautiful Movement.
As the daughter of AJASS and the Grandassa Models Co-Founder, the late Baba Elombe Brath and Original Grandassa Model, the late Mama Nomsa Brath, I am an intergenerational legacy-carrier.

Zena Robinson-Wouadjou
Next Generation Grandassa (2023-present)
They Laid the Foundation: The Black Is Beautiful mantra, spoken into my life by my father, Frank Adu (a founding AJASS member and Director of AJASS Repertory Theater), my mother Claretha Robinson, and extended family of cultural activists, has come full circle. I’m honored to join the Original and Next Generation Grandassa Models in upholding this legacy.
As I reflect on the eight Grandassa who participated in the first ‘Naturally’— their grace and audacity to BE their full African selves— I appreciate all Grandassa who set the stage and live the mission.
In the words of one of the original eight, Queen Black Rose (Afrikan Beauty culture-bearer), “​Grandassa Models laid the foundation to project Afrikan Beauty, Pride and consciousness…Our future generations will be motivated by this awareness.”

Ajuba Grinage-Bartley
Original Grandassa Model (1967-present)
It was magical, and gave me confidence, dignity: Fortunately, I had the opportunity of growing up with AJASS and viewing the honor and majesty of the Grandassa Models. I attended Naturally shows as a child, which shaped me to be the person I am today. This experience was enchanting. It afforded me the leverage to love myself and my African culture, at a time when it was uncommon for our people throughout the diaspora to love themselves. It was the norm for me. We were constantly told that Black is Beautiful by Elombe. I gratefully internalized this concept. It gave me confidence and a great sense of dignity.
Being part of AJASS and the Grandassa Models made me whole.
Oh, but when the Grandassa Models came on stage, it was magical. Then you saw the incomparable Black Rose, who was such a beauty. She is our Queen and a historical treasure.

Fofie Aboagyewa
Next Generation Grandassa (2023-present)
Beauty is braided in my hair, coiled in my curls: The legacy of the black is beautiful movement resides in my strides. It resounds in my word sounds. It’s braided in my hair and curled in my coils. Black is beautiful is plucked in my crown with the teeth of a pick and smoothed with the bristles of a brush. Black is beautiful is the glimmering sun reflecting off my skin. Black is beautiful is accepting my power and looks like bestowing my children with African names, empowering my community and knowing my worth. Black is beautiful is loving myself as I was naturally made, unapologetically.

Kalimah Wouadjou
Next Generation Grandassa (2023-present)
Lifting to the Highest Power: Black Is Beautiful means embracing the ancestors who have given you such gorgeous skin.
Black Is Beautiful means wearing your skin with pride and grace.
Black Is Beautiful means lifting every Black woman to their highest power with love.
What Black is Beautiful means to me is loving my skin, hair, heritage, and my community. As the granddaughter of Frank Adu, a founding member of AJASS, The Grandassa models have shown and given me the history behind the Black Is Beautiful movement. For the past two years, I have had the honor to not only gain insight on the movement but to also be a part of it.
I am forever grateful. Ashe.

Eunice Townsend
Original Grandassa
(1967-present)
Our Natural Roots are Strong: The Black Is Beautiful Movement was so powerful because it
shined a light on the beauty of being Black instead of the ugly, we were so accustomed to seeing in the media.
Black women felt we had to emulate the appearance of others to be attractive. Our hair, the first obstacle to obtaining the goal of beauty. Black Rose recognized early on how to showcase our natural hair, realizing that the root of our insecurity was born in slavery.
The movement abolished the concept of Black inferiority while Black Rose espoused the idea that our natural roots were strong. Our hair was not to be straightened but left to be free. So, the Grandassa models were born,
confident, big-hipped, and secure in our beauty.

Elanor “Ameiye” Ballard
Original Grandassa (1967-present)
The Name Given: Stepping into my Blackness… My first step was when I cut my straightened hair off and grew a short Afro after listening to Malcolm X’s empowering words.
My second step happened after meeting Kwame Braithwaite in 1967, one Easter Sunday while at the Bronx Zoo with my two eldest daughters.
My third step was a week later at his studio in Harlem. There, I met his brother Elombe. I told him my name, and he said, “Oh no, we will have to find you an African name.” Ameiye was the name given. As a Grandassa I learned about Black Rose. She was inspiring. Her name represents.
B Beauty
L Love
A Amazing
C Caring
K Kindness
R Resilience
O Omniscience
S Strong
E Excellence

Ndola Brathwaite Carlest
Next Generation Grandassa (2023-present)
Black Beauty’s Internal Essence Drives Us: I am Ndola Brathwaite Carlest, the daughter of Kwame and Sikolo Brathwaite, a Grandassa Model (and AJASS) legacy. My parents instilled in my brother Kwame and me, principles which continue to shape who we are. Growing up with the mantra of the Black is Beautiful movement deeply influenced our relationships and professions.
We embody the principles of unity, self-determination, collective work, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith— not just during Kwanzaa, but in our daily lives. Black beauty isn’t just external; it’s the internal essence that drives us to care for, support, and uplift one another. These values form the foundation of who we are, guiding our actions, shaping our communities, and inspiring us to build a future rooted in strength and solidarity. #BlackIsBeautiful

Barbara “Adzua” Solomon
Original Grandassa (1962-present)
When I met Black Rose, I was recently married, newly graduated from Morgan State University, and just starting to wear my hair in its natural state. During this period, wearing your hair in its natural state posed problems. It was a new style with very few acceptable variations. Black Rose, a trained barber, offered her expertise so that we looked extra special when we modeled. She had the knowledge we all needed concerning our natural hair care. A light in the room full of darkness, she cut, styled and made your form stand out above the crowd. She also had the gift of making you feel extra good about yourself. Sitting in her chair was more therapy than anything else. At the end of your session, you looked good and felt even better. She laid the groundwork for those who desired to be natural during a period of African-American cultural revolution. The Grandassa Models presented the image of natural hair to the Black community, but Black Rose was its facilitator. From her loins sprung many other hair salons that elevated natural hair and made it possible for Black women to enjoy a multitude of natural hair styles. Black Rose showed everybody how Black is Beautiful. We cannot thank her enough.

Nana Ama (Donalda) Tanks
Original Grandassa (1967-present)

WE ARE THE GRANDASSAS
Teachers and students, librarians, published writers, typesetter, social workers,
nurses, environmentalists, herbalists, traditional African healers and Priestesses.
WE ARE
Hairdressers and barbers, makeup artists, dancers, fashion models and designers, radio celebrities, screen writers and documentarians, artists, patrons of the arts and music.
WE ARE
Entrepreneurs, Internationally celebrated humanitarians, and historians, poets and political activists.
WE HONOR OUR WORTH
WE ARE
Creators, bearers of children and ideas,
nurturers of all, supporters of family and friends.
We stand on the right side of Justice!
We are magic —mindful miracle workers!
We define ourselves!
KUJICHAGULIA! BLACK AND BEAUTIFUL! WE ARE!

Nana Baakan Okukuranpon Yirenkyiwa “Zamye”
Original Grandassa (1973-present)
Yeah! What an impact Queen Black Rose has had on the “Black Is Beautiful” movement!
As a natural hairstylist at the legendary Jerry’s Den in Harlem, she coiffed “Afros”/ “naturals” for a new conscious generation. I honor her as an artist, teacher, entrepreneur, cultural icon, and last living member of the Original Grandassa Models since 1962.
Queen Black Rose advocates for Black women—”Original Queens of Beauty”— maintaining the teachings of the Honorable Marcus Garvey and Carlos Cooks.
The Grandassa Models, through their poise and innovative style, pioneered the promotion of African beauty. Gracing “Naturally” shows, magazines, and album covers, they boldly challenged fashion and beauty concepts about Black women. Grounded in the pride instilled by my family, I joined the Grandassa as a young woman. With growing political involvement via Baba Elombe, Baba Kwame, and AJASS, our presentations accentuated the global African political action.
Continuing this legacy with our daughters and granddaughters is an honor and blessing. Together, we create projects that instill racial pride and inspire us as African women, and as a people. “Ev’rybody say Yeah! Yeah!”

Nzingha Gumbs
Next Generation Grandassa (2023-present)
From These Roots: The mission of “Black Is Beautiful” holds personal and historical meaning. A deeply-ingrained family ethos, it has shaped my identity and purpose. My parents and uncles, inspired by Marcus Garvey, were instrumental in propagating ideals of Black Excellence.
Their collective advocacy work, through ANPM and AJASS, laid the foundation for global Black empowerment, celebrating our intellect, beauty, and talent.
The pioneering efforts of the Grandassa Models, including my mom, Jean Egyptia Gumbs, and Queen Black Rose (our eldest living original Grandassa), brought the legacy of “Black Is Beautiful” to life. Grandassa graced fashion and theatrical shows across creative realms.
Within this rich heritage, I found myself and my calling in the entertainment industry. It was Queen Black Rose who introduced my parents to each other. I’m honored to continue my family’s enduring commitment to promoting Black Pride. I embrace this legacy, contributing to the ongoing narrative of Global Black empowerment and beauty. BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL

If you are interested in learning more about upcoming Grandassa Model events, and/or joining our mailing list Email – thegrandassamodels@gmail.com and Follow Us on Instagram @theoriginalgrandassamodels